Research Study Information
Thank you for participation in this research study about student use of AI tools for library research. Library research is the process in which you find information to use for your class assignments or presentations.
My research questions are:
Do students at BU use AI tools to help them find information for their written assignments or presentations?
How do students use AI tools in that process?
What are the ethical implications of using AI tools for finding information for assignments or presentations?
What resources do students find to include in their assignments?
To find the answers to these questions I intend to do three things:
- Analyze BU student bibliographies from assignments and presentations
- Conduct a short 10-minute online survey
- Conduct 30-minute one-on-one interviews with BU students
This is an invitation to participate in the short online survey.
Consent to participate in the survey:
You are not required to take part in this research. You are not required to volunteer for the interviews. And you may decline to answer any particular question, and you may stop the survey at any time.
The survey is anonymous, which means that there will be no way to link any answers you give back to you.
No punitive action will be taken for anything you reveal about your use of AI. There are no known risks associated with this research. There are no direct benefits to you, but you are helping to improve library science knowledge and library service by participating in this research.
All information collected in this survey will be kept on a password-protected computer. Raw data, without any identifying information might be uploaded or archived in an institutional repository.
I am hoping to publish the results of this study in a library science journal and to do presentations at library conferences. None of the information collected will be used for commercial purposes.
Since there is no link between you and the survey, there is no way to opt out of the study after you have completed it.
By consenting you do not waive any legal rights.
If you are a Brandon University student, please proceed to the survey:
Rainer Schira, John E. Robbins Library, schirar@brandonu.ca, 204-727-7463.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Rainer Schira, 204-727-7463, schirar@brandonu.ca.
This research has been reviewed and approved by the Brandon University Research Ethics Committee. If you have any questions or concerns about this study, you may contact The Brandon University Ethics Committee, by phone (204) 727-9712 or email burec@brandonu.ca.