Perception of Artificial Intelligence-based Tools Usage in Research among Management Undergraduates

Abstract

This study was undertaken to fill the gap by examining the perception of using artificial intelligence-based tools for research by management undergraduates, as well as its benefits and challenges. Adopting a case study method, a mixed-method questionnaire was shared with a sample of management undergraduates at a leading university in Sri Lanka, and 75 responses were obtained. The findings revealed that 97.2% of participants already use AI tools in research as they perceive it to be beneficial for saving time and effort and assisting in different phases of research. However, adopting AI-based tools presents challenges such as ethical issues, decreased creativity, cost of access, and less technical knowledge. As a novel outcome, the study proposes a framework for the perception of AI tools usage in research depending on benefits and challenges, adding knowledge to theoretical areas that are less studied.

Further, it helps educational institutes establish AI policies and promote the ethical use of AI among students. The proposed framework could be validated in future research with a broader sample of similar studies. Future studies should investigate supervisors' perspectives on students' use of AI tools to provide solid recommendations for the ethical use of AI in research.