Module 2: Academic Resources vs. AI
Page 1: Introduction to Academic Resources
The Importance of Reliable Research Sources
Conducting academic research requires using credible, well-documented sources. Unlike general websites or AI-generated responses, academic databases provide peer-reviewed, fact-checked, and authoritative materials that meet high scholarly standards.
As a Montgomery College student, you have access to high-quality academic resources that can enhance your research:
Common Academic Research Platforms
- Google Scholar – Peer-reviewed articles and books
- JSTOR – Academic journals and historical texts
- PubMed – Medical and life sciences research
- Library Databases – ProQuest, EBSCOhost, IEEE Xplore
- Government & Educational Websites – Sources ending in .gov or .edu
These platforms provide reliable and verifiable sources, ensuring that your academic work meets professional and ethical standards.
Page 2: AI’s Role in Research
How Can AI Assist in Research?
AI tools like ChatGPT can help streamline research by summarizing information, explaining concepts, and generating topic ideas. However, AI cannot replace academic databases because it does not provide direct access to peer-reviewed materials.
What AI Can Do:
Summarize complex ideas – AI can break down dense academic material into simplified explanations.
Explain difficult concepts – AI can clarify unfamiliar terms or theories.
Suggest potential sources – AI can recommend keywords, topics, or areas to explore.
What AI Cannot Do:
Access peer-reviewed journals directly – AI does not have direct access to databases like JSTOR or PubMed.
Guarantee accuracy – AI-generated citations may be incorrect or even fabricated.
Incorporate real-time updates – AI operates on static knowledge unless browsing is enabled.
Page 3: AI vs. Academic Databases – When to Use Each?
|
Feature |
Academic Databases (JSTOR, PubMed, etc.) |
AI Tools (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.) |
|
Access to Peer-Reviewed Sources |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
|
Fact-Checked & Reliable Information |
✅ Yes |
❌ Not always |
|
Summarizing & Explaining Concepts |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Generating Research Ideas |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Providing Real-Time Updates |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
|
Direct Citations & References |
✅ Yes |
❌ AI may fabricate citations |
To write high-quality research papers, it’s important to start with academic sources and use AI as a supportive tool, not as a replacement for credible research.
Page 4: Activity & Reflection
Activity: Evaluating AI vs. Academic Sources
Step 1: Use Google Scholar or JSTOR to search for articles on a topic of your choice.
Step 2: Ask ChatGPT to summarize the same topic.
Step 3: Compare the information:
Did AI provide accurate and fact-checked details?
Did the academic source provide more depth and citations?
Were there any discrepancies or missing information in the AI response?
Final Thoughts:
AI can enhance your research process, but it should never replace scholarly databases. Responsible research involves using both AI and academic sources strategically—leveraging AI for idea generation and summarization, while relying on peer-reviewed sources for factual accuracy.