Information Literacy & Artificial Intelligence
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
The Archaeological Dig Model for AI-Integrated Research
The Archaeological Dig Model frames AI-integrated research as a process of discovery, verification, and synthesis. AI tools may support each phase, but students and faculty remain responsible for the scholarly decisions made along the way.
AI-Integrated Research: Tools & Guidance
Support for using AI responsibly across the research process
Polk Library supports faculty and students in navigating the evolving landscape of AI-integrated research and knowledge creation. This hub brings together practical resources for discovery, verification, and synthesis so that AI can be used with transparency, responsibility, and academic integrity.
Scholarly Decision Points for AI-Integrated Research
This framework helps students and faculty pause at key moments in the research process to ask what decision is being made, how AI is shaping that decision, and what responsibility remains with the researcher.
How to Use the Decision Questions
Use these questions before, during, and after AI use in research.
Before using AI
Clarify your purpose. Are you exploring a topic, generating search terms, interpreting a source, or revising your thinking?
During AI use
Notice how the tool is shaping your question, language, sources, evidence, or interpretation.
After AI use
Verify information, compare outputs with scholarly sources, disclose use when appropriate, and decide what intellectual responsibility remains yours.
At each stage, ask:
- What decision am I making?
- How is AI influencing that decision?
- What responsibility remains mine?
FOR STUDENTS
Guidance & Tools
Start here if you are using AI to explore a topic, generate search terms, understand sources, support writing, or synthesize evidence.
- Student AI Research Starter Kit — tools, prompts, and verification strategies
- Citing AI use — APA and MLA examples
FOR FACULTY
Instructional Support
Start here if you want to help students use AI transparently and responsibly in research-heavy assignments.
- Canvas Modules for AI-Integrated Research Instruction — ready-to-use modules for research skills and responsible AI
- How to adopt or import Canvas modules
- Instructional recommendations — using AI as a scaffold rather than a crutch
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC SUPPORTS
AI Integrated Research Guides by Discipline
These guides adapt the decision-points framework to disciplinary research expectations, databases, source types, and assignment contexts.
Biology
Models topic exploration, scientific question development, experimental evidence, and database strategy for science-based assignments.
View Biology guide
Writing
Models topic exploration, keyword and question development, and database strategy for writing-based research assignments.
View Writing guide
More disciplines coming
Additional implementations will be added as guides and modules are developed.
POLICY & PRACTICE
Student Use of AI in the Research Process
- Library position and UW guidance — privacy, integrity, and disclosure
- Instructional recommendations — scaffold versus crutch
SCHOLARSHIP & EVIDENCE
Research-Informed Practice
- AI in scholarly Research - The Archaeological Dig Model of AI-Integrated Research
- Literature synthesis — creativity, critical thinking, and student voice
- Forthcoming scoping-review white paper on AI use in research and writing
Need help or want to collaborate?
Contact Polk Library to discuss AI-integrated research instruction, Canvas modules, or discipline-specific adaptations.
