Artificial Intelligence
There are many artificial intelligence (AI) websites and options. You can use any of them for Professor Farmer's class. Here are a list of some of the most popular (updated September 2024):
References and Hallucinations
References provided by artificial intelligence are not reliable. They often have "hallucinations", which is, "Content generated by AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini [which] have been found to provide users with fabricated data that appears authentic" (MIT Sloan, 2024).
Because of these hallucinations, you have to examine and evaluate the references that AI provides to you. They may be real, completely fake, or a combination of the two. For example, it may provide you a real journal article title with a fake copyright year.
Citations of books usually have 4 main parts and citations of journals usually have 7 main parts. Examine each one of these to see what is real and what may be fake or incorrect in order to track down the original citation:
- Title
- Author(s)
- Copyright Year
- Page Range
Journals also have:
- Journal Title
- Volume and issue numbers
- DOI (digital object identifier)
Use Search Everything and Google to help you determine if the source really exists and what parts of the citation are correct and incorrect.
Reference
MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies. (2024). When AI gets it wrong: Addressing AI hallucinations and bias. https://mitsloanedtech.mit.edu/ai/basics/addressing-ai-hallucinations-and-bias/
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Evaluating Resources
Evaluating resources is essential when completing academic research. It ensures that you are using high quality information to conduct your research, extrapolate information, and come to conclusions. Using the CRAAP test helps you in evaluating the information you find.
C - Currency
The timeliness of the information:
When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
Are the links functional?
R - Relevance
The importance of the information for your needs:
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
A - Authority
The source of the information:
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
A - Accuracy
The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content:
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
P - Purpose
The reason the information exists:
What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
Adapted from Kampen, K. V. (2024, August 7,). Library guides: Evaluating resources and misinformation: CRAAP test. University of Chicago Library. Retrieved Sep 27, 2024, from https://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/c.php?g=1241077&p=9082343
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Learn more on the How to Research module in the Library Classroom.