POLK LIBRARY
Tools, frameworks, and guidance for AI-integrated scholarship
Polk Library helps students and faculty navigate how artificial intelligence can support research while preserving scholarly judgment, source evaluation, transparency, and responsibility.
START WITH THE RESEARCH TASK
AI-enabled and digital research tools can support different parts of scholarly work. Begin with what you are trying to accomplish, then consider which tool fits the task, the information involved, and the expectations governing your work.
Tools may support more than one research task. Inclusion on this page does not indicate institutional approval, licensing, endorsement, or security review.
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
Consensus, Semantic Scholar, ResearchRabbit, Connected Papers, Litmaps, OpenAlex, and Library Databases
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
Consensus, Elicit, Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, and Library Databases
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
NotebookLM, Elicit, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gemini
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot
RESEARCH TASK
Representative tools
Zotero and NotebookLM
CHOOSING AI TOOLS WISELY
AI tools differ in their capabilities, sources, data practices, privacy protections, and institutional support. The right choice depends on both the research task and the type of information you plan to share.
Is the tool designed for the scholarly task you need to complete?
Is the information public, low risk, sensitive, protected, or unpublished?
Does the university license, manage, or provide guidance for the tool?
What do instructors, departments, publishers, funders, or research protocols require?
Public generative AI tools may be appropriate for public or low-risk information when no protected institutional data is shared. Work involving sensitive, restricted, confidential, student, personnel, research, or unpublished institutional information requires greater care and may require an institutionally supported service.
Universities of Wisconsin guidance and UW System data-classification policies should inform tool selection when institutional information is involved.
This Hub introduces representative tools used in scholarly research. Inclusion does not indicate institutional approval, endorsement, licensing, or security review.
Campus AI Guidance and Supported Tools Universities of Wisconsin AI Guidance SYS 1031 Data Classification
SCHOLARLY JUDGMENT THROUGHOUT
AI can assist research at every stage, but it cannot replace the judgments researchers make. Throughout discovery, verification, and synthesis, scholars decide how questions are framed, evidence is evaluated, and knowledge is constructed.
DISCOVERY
Decide whether to use AI, define the research problem, and determine which sources and perspectives belong in the inquiry.
VERIFICATION
Evaluate the accuracy, credibility, and provenance of information before incorporating it into scholarly work.
SYNTHESIS
Integrate evidence, develop original interpretations, and ensure AI supports rather than replaces scholarly thinking.
PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK
Drawing on the emerging scholarly literature on AI literacy, information literacy, and AI-integrated research, the full framework synthesizes eight recurring judgments that guide responsible scholarly practice.
WHITE PAPER
This white paper explores the intersection of AI literacy and information literacy, synthesizing recurring themes of critical evaluation, reflective decision-making, student agency, and responsible AI use that informed the development of the Scholarly Decision Points framework.
WORK WITH THE LIBRARY
Polk Library partners with students and faculty to support AI-integrated scholarship through research consultations, instruction, faculty collaboration, research management, and specialized expertise in AI literacy and learning innovation.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Literature searching, evidence review, research design, and source evaluation.
AI literacy, source verification, research strategy, and responsible use.
Assignment design, AI-integrated instruction, Canvas modules, disciplinary guidance, and classroom collaboration.
Zotero, source management, research notes, and transparent research documentation.
SPECIALIZED AI SUPPORT
Work with Joe Pirillo, Information Literacy & Learning Innovation Librarian, on AI-integrated research, instructional design, faculty partnerships, workshops, disciplinary guidance, and responsible uses of AI in teaching and scholarship.
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH RESOURCES
Explore AI-integrated research guidance tailored to disciplinary databases, evidence practices, source types, and assignment expectations.
Learn about responsible AI use, citation, transparency, disclosure, and research expectations throughout the research process.
AI is changing scholarly research, but strong research still depends on informed human judgment. Polk Library partners with students and faculty to help AI strengthen—not replace—critical inquiry, evidence evaluation, and scholarly contribution.
Questions about AI-integrated research, classroom instruction, faculty collaboration, or the Scholarly Decision Points framework?
Connect with Joe Pirillo