Generative AI is transforming the way we study, research, and work - but to use it well, you need to know how to prompt it effectively and ethically.
This section introduces you to the fundamentals of generative AI for academic research. Learn how to write clear, purposeful prompts tailored to your research needs, and how to use AI tools responsibly in line with academic integrity guidelines.
Each Skills at Library module provides examples of how AI can support your academic work. To build foundational AI competencies, we recommend starting with the AI learning pathway for students.
Not quite ready?
Before diving in, make sure you're confident in the following areas. If not, check out the linked resources first:
Click to expand presentation: Using generative AI for research
Getting started with ethical GenAI use:
AI literacy builds on advanced information literacy skills, and requires:
If you're not confident in these areas, take a few minutes to refresh your knowledge by visiting the pages linked above. Developing these skills will give you confidence to find good quality information, be critical about your sources, and use the information you find according to our standards of academic honesty and integrity.
Want to learn more about Generative AI?
Artificial intelligence guidance
The University's central artificial intelligence guidance outlines what you are and aren't allowed to use artificial intelligence (AI) for in your academic work, and what would constitute an academic offence whilst using AI. Your department may give you more guidance on AI use, but this central guidance is a great starting point for checking that the way you're using AI is ethical and compliant with University policy.
The key takeaways from this guidance are:
If you wish to learn how to use AI more effectively, you can come along to our 'Using Generative AI for research' workshop where we talk about writing better prompts and ways to utilise AI ethically, or you can come along to any of our workshops, which all introduce some AI tools and tasks that are created specifically for the academic environment.
Academic integrity, authorship and plagiarism
These pages define what academic integrity means in a UK Higher Education context and what we expect from you as students at the University of Essex. The landing page also pulls together some of the resources highlighted in this guide, such as Moodle courses and Referencing guidance.
If you're feeling uncertain about the meaning of plagiarism or academic integrity, remember that you can attend our workshop on "intro to academic integrity and referencing" that talks you through some strategies for avoiding academic offences and introduces our referencing support.
If you're not sure what "academic offence" entails, this section on the exams and coursework page gives a good explanation of what we mean by plagiarism as well as providing definitions of other common academic offences, such as collusion, falsification, and contract cheating. The section also highlights what happens and what to expect if you are accused of academic misconduct, and provides strategies on avoiding academic offences.
You may also want to check out the academic offences procedure (.pdf) for more examples of academic offences and a breakdown of the process for academic misconduct investigations.
If you scroll further up on the page, you can also find policies and advice on assessments and reassessments, extenuating circumstances, late submissions, and appeals.
Except where otherwise noted, this work by University of Essex Library and Cultural Services is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
