Student Experiences of Using Elicit for Literature Reviews

This study investigated student experiences with Elicit, an AI tool designed to support students with developing literature reviews. The research aimed to understand student perceptions of Elicit's usability and its impact on developing key research skills. Students from various courses and study levels, used Elicit to support their work on an upcoming assignment and shared their views in a focus group or interview. Findings revealed a mix of views on the usefulness and usability of Elicit. While some students found Elicit useful for highlighting key literature on a chosen topic, and appreciated its speed and reliability compared to other AI tools, others criticized the lack of quality assurance of the articles obtained and noted the article summaries as inadequate. Concerns were raised about potential over-reliance on AI tools, with the potential to hinder the development of critical research skills. Participants also debated the ethical implications of AI use in academia, with some viewing it as unfair and flagging the potential for academic misconduct. The study highlights the need for universities to provide clear guidance on AI tool usage to ensure ethical practices and support students in effectively integrating these technologies into their academic work. Despite its small scale, this research underscores the importance of understanding AI's role in teaching and learning.