I’ve recently recorded two short videos for Sinclair focused on using AI tools effectively in the research process.
In my librarian role at Sinclair I’ve continued to be involved in a variety of projects focused on AI, and I’ve tried to bring a perspective emphasizing information literacy and critical thinking.
I think that focusing exclusively on traditional research methods in my instruction today, as much as I might like to, is not likely to be effective with students. But AI tools of course create new challenges around topic development, source evaluation, and maintaining academic integrity.
My videos are part of an ongoing effort to help students use AI thoughtfully and strategically rather than relying on it as a shortcut.
One of my videos was a collaboration with Sinclair’s AI Excellence Institute, which I’ve been fortunate to have the chance to work with on a few projects including serving as an external reviewer for some of the AI literacy modules they are creating.
Using AI to Choose and Narrow a Research Topic
I do think AI has the potential, if used in the right way, to help with a common challenge students face: turning a broad idea into a focused, workable research question.
AI tools can quickly generate a wide range of topic ideas and perspectives, which can help students explore different angles before committing to a direction. In the video, I demonstrate how more specific prompts can lead to stronger results.
I also emphasize that brainstorming should still begin with the student’s own ideas. AI works best as a supplement to that process, helping refine and expand initial thinking rather than replacing it.
I also highlight the continued importance of library databases, which provide structured topic overviews and access to credible sources that AI tools often summarize but do not fully replace.
Watch the video
How to Evaluate and Verify AI-Generated Information
My second video addresses another key issue: how to determine whether information provided by AI tools is accurate and trustworthy.
Rather than treating AI as a single authoritative source, I encourage students to think of its output as a synthesis of many underlying sources. That shift in mindset helps reinforce the need to verify claims by consulting those original sources directly.
The video introduces the concept of lateral reading, a research strategy that involves quickly checking multiple sources to evaluate credibility and context. I walk through an example using Google’s AI-generated search results and show how to identify different types of sources, recognize potential bias, and look for missing context in simplified summaries.
Watch the video:
Supporting Information Literacy in an AI-Driven Environment
Despite all the hype (and legitimate exciting potential) of AI tools, the core skills of research remain unchanged: asking good questions, evaluating sources, and forming independent conclusions.
These are the areas where librarians continue to play an important role, providing guidance that complements both traditional resources and emerging technologies.
If you’re interested in information literacy, teaching with AI, or research strategies more broadly, I plan to continue sharing additional resources and videos in this series.
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