Introduction
This flowchart outlines the research process in a clear and logical format. Each step represents a critical phase in conducting meaningful and ethical research. By following the flow from one stage to the next, students can confidently navigate the research journey with structure and purpose.
*This image was created using napkin.ai; however, the concept, design direction, and creative vision were conceived by Dr. Knight and Chris Cardenas
This chapter introduces the fundamental role of scientific thinking in the social sciences. The information provided will help you understand what science is—and what it is not—and help you navigate the information-saturated world around you. Whether reading journal articles, watching the news, or advocating for evidence-based change in a community, your ability to think scientifically is critical.
Scientific thinking involves more than just curiosity—it is a structured and intentional way of seeking knowledge. In the social sciences, this means observing and examining human behavior, social relationships, and group dynamics using systematic methods. Rather than relying on opinion or tradition, researchers employ systematic steps to gather evidence, identify patterns, and construct understanding. This approach enables us to explore the complexity of close relationships and family systems in a thoughtful and evidence-based manner.
This chapter introduces you to various methods people use to gain knowledge about the world around them. It will help you understand that while all of these methods have value, the scientific method offers a particularly powerful approach. It gives us the tools to ask important questions, test ideas, and evaluate evidence deliberately and transparently.
This chapter will explore why scientific research is essential, how to think critically about the information we encounter, and how the two major research approaches—qualitative and quantitative—work together to deepen our understanding of human behavior and social patterns.
By the conclusion of this chapter, you will better understand what science is—and what it is not—so you can more effectively assess the ideas, opinions, and information you come across in daily life.
Learning Objectives
- Define science and explain its relevance to daily life and the social sciences.
- Explain the value of scientific research in shaping ethical, informed, and evidence-based decisions.
- List the steps of the scientific method
- Differentiate between scientific thinking and other methods of knowing
- Identify a study as basic and applied science
- Critically assess information and research findings as a consumer of social scientific knowledge.
Why AI?
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Using AI with Integrity: A Student’s Guide to Smarter Research
AI is a powerful tool in academia, offering coherent, systematic, and informative content to support learning and research (Lo, 2023). However, its effectiveness depends on the user’s ability to use it skillfully and responsibly. This text aims to equip you with the skills to effectively utilize AI, particularly in crafting compelling research papers.
Our goal is to guide you in using AI responsibly. Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (2023) indicates that as professors, it is our job to teach students to do what artificial intelligence cannot do. We feel it is our job to teach students how to ask “the right” questions when using AI and to learn how to critique the answers generated by AI. By combining these abilities, students can harness the benefits of AI while maintaining academic integrity and critical thinking.
While there are precautions to take when using AI, I believe that when used correctly, AI can streamline the research process and enhance quality. Let’s explore some key ways AI might be used as you construct a research proposal.
- Brainstorming: While AI can provide valuable ideas, students should ensure that they are the ones leading the AI, rather than the AI leading them. To ensure this process, before using AI, think independently about the topic and jot down initial ideas or questions. This allows students to bring their unique perspective into the process. AI should be treated as a brainstorming partner rather than the primary source. Be sure to keep track of how AI contributions influence your work. Failing to do so can lead to issues of plagiarism or academic dishonesty.
- Finding Sources: AI can help locate relevant academic articles, journals, and publications. (I will discuss the necessary precautions in the next chapter.)
- Editing and Proofreading: AI-based grammar and style checkers (e.g., Grammarly, ProWritingAid) can help identify spelling and grammatical errors. While AI can enhance grammar, clarity, and structure, it should not replace the student’s unique writing style or voice. Students should use AI as a tool for improvement, not as a substitute for their own creativity. Additionally, AI should not be relied upon to write the paper itself. This undermines the learning process and risks academic integrity.
Here is a list of AI formats you may find helpful:
| Consensus | Research | Searches peer-reviewed articles and gives simple-to-read summaries on them and shows a consensus meter on what the top research articles conclude about your research question input | Free |
| Elicit | Research | Searches peer-reviewed articles and gives simple-to-read summaries on them and shows a summary of what the top research articles conclude about your research question input | Free |
| Litmaps | Research | Maps research articles for you in terms of relevance, references, citations, and date | Freemium |
| SciSpace | Research | Find, create, and publish research. It also has a cool “Chat with a PDF” feature where you upload a PDF research article to it and you can chat with what the research studied and claims | Freemium |
I, Dr. Knight, hope this has provided a starting point for you to consider as you contemplate integrating AI into your research process. I, for one, am excited to help you add AI to your research resources toolkit. As this text progresses, I will continue to provide practical suggestions and guidance on effectively and ethically incorporating AI into your work. My goal is to ensure that you feel confident using AI not just as a tool but as a complement to your own critical thinking and analytical skills, all while maintaining ethical standards, setting you up for success both in this class and in your future academic endeavors.
Reference:
Cardenas, C. (2025, February 21). Teach students to become AI literate [Professional Development Session]. AI Academy, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, United States.
Lo, C. K. (2023). Using AI to Support Academic Writing: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Educational Technology, 45(2), 134–145.
Harvard Graduate School of Education. (2023). Teaching in the Age of AI. Retrieved from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/
