Use Artificial Intelligence Critically, Ethically and Effectively in Research
The AI for Research short course introduces researchers to the practical and responsible use of artificial intelligence across the research process. It is designed for postgraduate students, researchers, academics and professionals who want to understand how AI can support research while maintaining intellectual responsibility, academic integrity and appropriate human judgement.
The course emphasises AI as a research-support tool rather than a substitute for the researcher.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- identify appropriate uses of AI across different stages of research;
- develop effective prompts for research-related tasks;
- use AI to support literature exploration, idea development and research planning;
- critically evaluate and verify AI-generated information;
- use AI appropriately to support analysis, writing and research communication;
- recognise limitations, biases and risks associated with AI-generated outputs; and
- apply principles of transparency, academic integrity and responsible AI use in research.
What the Course Covers
AI & the Research Process — understanding where and how artificial intelligence can appropriately support research activities.
Prompting for Research — developing effective prompts and refining interactions with AI tools for research purposes.
Literature & Knowledge Exploration — using AI to support discovery, organisation and engagement with scholarly knowledge while verifying original sources.
Research Design & Analysis — exploring appropriate ways AI can assist with research questions, methodological thinking, data-related tasks and interpretation.
AI-Assisted Academic Writing — using AI responsibly to support planning, revision, clarity and scholarly communication without surrendering intellectual authorship.
Verification & Critical Evaluation — identifying hallucinations, inaccuracies, bias and other limitations of AI-generated information.
Ethics, Transparency & Academic Integrity — documenting AI use, protecting sensitive information, maintaining appropriate attribution and preserving researcher accountability.
Course Information
Category: AI & Digital Research
Duration: 3 weeks
Learning Effort: Approximately 3–4 hours per week
Mode: Online, flexible learning
Learning Platform: UUT Moodle
Intake: Open throughout the year
Join the Course
Develop the capability to use AI as a powerful research companion while remaining the critical, responsible and accountable researcher.
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Use AI to strengthen research—not to replace the researcher.