{"id":388,"date":"2025-08-11T10:55:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/?p=388"},"modified":"2025-11-04T17:47:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T17:47:42","slug":"using-genai-for-literature-searching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/2025\/08\/11\/using-genai-for-literature-searching\/","title":{"rendered":"Using GenAI for literature searching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"790\" src=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528-1024x790.jpg\" alt=\"Automatic search engine concept with 3d rendering robot hand hold magnifying glass\" class=\"wp-image-390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528-1024x790.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528-1536x1185.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528.jpg 1971w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why you can&#8217;t always rely on AI search results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is easy to see why students may be tempted to paste their assignment title, or project outline, into Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT and ask for a list of references. The tool may then offer to summarise the studies in a way that suggests it is a helpful time-saving approach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is this a problem?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI tools do not search the internet or academic databases. Instead, they generate text based on patterns in their training data. This means:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students are not learning and using critical search and evaluation skills.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>References may be fake: GenAI tools still fabricate citations that look real but do not exist.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summaries may be inaccurate: even when summarising real studies, GenAI responses can misrepresent findings or oversimplify complex ideas.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sources may be unverifiable: GenAI tools do not provide links to specific sections of peer-reviewed literature or evidence for its claims.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This can create a false sense of confidence for students, negatively impact their learning and lead to issues with academic responsibility and conduct.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How we support students behind the scenes&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding and using GenAI appropriately is integrated throughout the University of Southampton <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5258\/SOTON\/P1169\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Library Research Skills Framework<\/a>, ensuring that we empower students to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate uses of GenAI for academic research.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand the academic integrity implications and potential biases associated with using GenAI tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critically evaluate all GenAI outputs for accuracy\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand that GenAI tools may generate fake references<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your role: signposting the UoS guidance for students on searching&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can help your students develop the skills to question and verify AI-generated content by encouraging them to look at Library guidance that has been co-created with students on using (and not using) <a href=\"https:\/\/library.soton.ac.uk\/sash\/generative-ai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GenAI for academic searching<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also encourage students to question GenAI outputs e.g.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ask \u201cIs this accurate? Where is the evidence? Does the response cite credible sources? Are all of the references genuine?\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think critically about the response: could any voices or perspectives be missing? Remember that any biases in the training data will affect the output.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage cross-checking with trusted sources, for example checking <a href=\"https:\/\/library.soton.ac.uk\/home\/subjects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">library subject pages<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/library.soton.ac.uk\/az\/databases?t=26565\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">academic databases<\/a>, other <a href=\"https:\/\/library.soton.ac.uk\/homepage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">library resources<\/a> and authoritative websites (for example, government or NHS pages).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider using GenAI tools to help develop and refine their search strategy, but not to conduct the search.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bite-sized task&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this task you will watch the first 2 short videos from our GenAI and searching resource, and consider how the topics relate to your students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1 &#8211; learn&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the first two videos (total three minutes) featuring one of our students talking about GenAI and searching: <a href=\"https:\/\/eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thinglink.com%2Fscene%2F1877657037140132326&amp;data=05%7C02%7CK.Borthwick%40soton.ac.uk%7Ca2679941011b48fe94d308de18843c99%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C638975153392240730%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2FKnGmQBCPXPgMVgXx3MQFOyzDuVse6AE3%2BzT3Dunwo0%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Academic Searching and Generative AI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2 &#8211; do&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use Microsoft Copilot to search for literature on a topic you know well. How do the results compare with what you expect?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are any key journal articles or other resources missing?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are any perspectives missing?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do all of the articles exist and are they correctly referenced?\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3 \u2013 reflect&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How would you summarise the key points from the videos or your own testing?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How might your students misunderstand or misuse GenAI tools for academic searching?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How could you share the GenAI and searching learning resource with your students?\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Share your thoughts on this week\u2019s GenAI Essentials post in Teams and join in the discussion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#caebfa\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join the conversation&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/teams.microsoft.com\/l\/channel\/19%3Aa6bcd01693ee48e5b0402b091da0219d%40thread.tacv2\/GenAI%20Essentials%20-%20Quick%20Tips%20for%20Educators?groupId=fff5f73d-b455-4784-afa1-8fe78cfcde3a&amp;tenantId=4a5378f9-29f4-4d3e-be89-669d03ada9d8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post your thoughts on the weekly Teams post to join the conversation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further links&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/library.soton.ac.uk\/sash\/generative-ai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Searching and Generative AI<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5258\/SOTON\/P1169\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Library Research Skills Framework<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#ffe9a6\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contributor biography&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nicki Clarkson is an Engagement Librarian and a member of the university Generative AI Working Group. An Associate Fellow of AdvanceHE, she specialises in digital literacy and open research training and practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u00a9 2025. This work is openly licensed via<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-NC-SA<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why you can&#8217;t always rely on GenAI search results<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6063,"featured_media":390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/534\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1308167528.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6063"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=388"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":765,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388\/revisions\/765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}