✍️AI-Supported Topic Exploration

Goal: Help students use AI productively when exploring topics and beginning research for writing assignments.

This workflow is designed to support early-stage research. AI tools can help students explore ideas, generate possible questions, and identify useful vocabulary. Library databases and the catalog are then used to verify, refine, and deepen research. AI can help students get started, but strong academic work still depends on searching, reading, and evaluating sources carefully.

✅ Using AI in Research (Core Guidance)

This guide may include both campus-supported tools and public AI tools to support research, topic exploration, and learning.

According to Universities of Wisconsin guidance on AI tools (PDF) , students should use AI thoughtfully, verify information

carefully, and follow course expectations.

Privacy reminder: Do not enter confidential, sensitive, or personally identifiable information (PII) into any AI tool. This includes

student records, unpublished work, or restricted materials.

Course reminder: Always follow your instructor’s expectations. No student should be required to create an account for a non-

university tool.

⚠️ Key Reminders for Academic Research

AI should be used as a starting point. It supports exploration—but does not replace reading and analyzing sources.
Claims must be supported by evidence. Use peer-reviewed or authoritative sources.
All information must be verified. AI outputs may be incomplete or inaccurate—confirm using library databases.
Use AI in accordance with course and university expectations.
You are responsible for your work. You—not the AI—are accountable for accuracy and conclusions.

When and How to Cite AI

Cite AI if:

You include AI-generated text (quoted or paraphrased)
You rely on AI-generated structure, analysis, or explanations

No citation is usually needed if:

You used AI only for brainstorming or idea development
No AI-generated content appears in your final work

Common Citation Styles

APA (7th ed.)

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-5.3) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/

Guidance: APA – Citing Generative AI

MLA (9th ed.)

OpenAI. ChatGPT, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/.

Guidance: MLA – Citing Generative AI

Chicago (17th ed.)

OpenAI. ChatGPT. 2025. https://chat.openai.com/.

Guidance: Chicago Manual of Style – AI Citation Guidance

Optional transparency note:

“AI tools were used for initial brainstorming and keyword development. All sources were verified and interpreted by the author.”

Important: Always cite the original sources that support your claims. AI is not a substitute for scholarly evidence.

Decision Points in This Workflow

As you move from topic exploration into database searching, pause to ask how AI is influencing your research decisions.

Discovery: When and why should I use AI? How is AI shaping my understanding of the topic?
Verification: Is this information correct? Can I verify where it comes from?

Step 1: Explore a Topic and Refine a Research Direction

You can begin with a topic, question, or general area of interest. The goal in this step is to move from a broad idea to a question that is focused enough to research and write about.

Discovery decision points for this step:

AI Engagement: When and why should I use AI?
Problem Framing: How is AI shaping my understanding of the topic?
Relevance and Positioning: What information is worth keeping, and how does it fit?

Consensus is an optional tool for turning a topic or rough question into a researchable direction.

Brainstorm focused, researchable questions
Identify useful vocabulary and synonyms
Generate concepts and phrases to try in databases and the library catalog
See possible directions a topic could take before beginning deeper research

Sample Prompt for Topic Exploration

Try this Consensus prompt:

I’m a college student writing a research paper for a writing and research class. Suggest several engaging and specific research topics and potential questions related to [insert topic interest] that would work well for a college writing assignment.

For each topic, include a short explanation of why it could make a strong and researchable paper idea. Include a few key questions I might investigate and mention what kinds of evidence or sources could support each one.

Each question should require analysis and help the researcher move toward taking a position on a timely or debated topic. For each question, include keywords and search phrases for databases and an academic library catalog.

Tip: Research is a conversation. Use this step to understand what people are already saying, what questions are being asked, and what language is used to describe the issue.

Step 2: Search in Databases and the Library Catalog

Once you have a possible topic or question, move into library databases and the catalog to test and refine it.

This step helps you:

See whether enough credible sources exist
Identify stronger keywords and subject terms
Adjust or narrow your research question
Move from general ideas to academic sources

Verification decision points for this step:

Authority and Credibility: Is this a reliable and appropriate source for the assignment?
Source Verification: Can I locate and verify where this information comes from?
Accuracy: Does the source support the claim or question I am developing?