GenAI can be utilised to assist you in planning and developing a search for information which you then carry out using reliable library resources and search tools. This may help you refine your search and save you time. General GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot can be effective in this context. Examples include:
- Assisting with scoping and defining a research question.
- Recommending resources to search: This can be particularly helpful if you are carrying out a search in a multidisciplinary area or a subject area where you are not familiar with the best library resources and databases to use. Note, we recommend referring to your UCL library Subject Guide for recommendations on sources of information.
- Suggesting keywords, synonyms, alternative and related terms to help inform your search strategy.
- Constructing search strings using Boolean operators and other search syntax.
- Checking and providing feedback on a search strategy.
- Translating a search strategy to another database or search tool.
- Summarising complex information. See AI-generated summaries of information.
Note: These uses may require you to use specific and considered prompts to achieve effective results. See our guidance on Effective prompting.
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