When using Generative AI in your research process, the responsibility is on the user to fact-check and ensure the information being used (for your search, for your paper, for your project, etc.) is accurate and complete. One method to assist in that responsibility is Lateral Reading.
Lateral Reading refers to the practice of "Wide, not Deep." When researching a particular topic, it is key to look at other sources reporting or informing on that topic. It helps detect an author's (or publication's) leanings, biases, credibility, and publishing intent. You can look at other articles or works the author has published, which can help establish the source's leanings. Look at other resources to see if a particular topic is being described unevenly.
For example: researching popular sentiment on "The Use of AI in Economics" can lead you to an article from the Wall Street Journal. Evaluate the article's stance and then look at other works the author has published. See if the author has a particular leaning (for or against) or bias (anti-tech or anti-AI) that would affect the viewpoint. You can also look at other publications, such as New York Times, NPR, or Fox News, for other viewpoints on the matter.
This method affords the searcher a more holistic, well-informed research session. A popular method of lateral reading is the SIFT Method.
SIFT stands for STOP, INVESTIGATE, FIND, TRACE.
Generative AI can be used to support your educational goals if used responsibly, smartly, and ethically. It can be a powerful support tool to supplement your study skills and comprehension of concepts. As a common refrain with using AI, the onus and responsibility is on you to use well generated, fundamentally sound content for studying.
Examples can be:
To properly use these Generative AI tools, you must format your prompts correctly.
Prompt Example:
Why This Works:
This particular prompt gives the chatbot context, a task, and a list of requirements. The more specific you create your prompt, the more applicable its output will be to your use-case. This prompt will create a brief, to-the-point outline on a particular topic that can be used to study from. After the chatbot generates its response, you can continue to interact with the original prompt to continue studying using this tool.
F FIND Other Coverage: If your information search, did you find other sources on the same topic? Are those sources producing content that aligns with the source you originally looked at or is there disparate information? Do these alternative sources fit the needs of your search? If so, why? Is this new source credible? What about context for this new source? Apply lateral reading methods to the new source to verify its credibility and integrity.
I INVESTIGATE the Source: What can you find online about this source? What do other similar organizations say about it? If scholarly (e.g. academic article), is there any errata, corrections, or response editorials? Has this academic source been retracted? Is it peer reviewed or fact-checked? Who funds or manages the source's organizing body? Is the source academic? For-profit or non-profit? Does that affect the content?
T TRACE Claims, Quotes, Information, and Media Back to the Original Context: Trace the source back to the original context. If the article refers to a study, find that study and evaluate if it supports the claims reported by your source. Similarly, has it been edited, retracted, or reformatted since cited? Is there general consensus - scholarly or otherwise - for the source's claims or findings?