Speaker
Description
Ugwunali, Y. C.
ABIA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), AROCHUWU
ugwunaliyannick@gmail.com
Track: AI, Emerging Technologies and Future Learning
The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting academic research globally. This study investigated the ethical utilisation of artificial intelligence for impact-driven academic research writing and research innovation among Industrial Technology Education (ITE) postgraduate students in South-East Nigeria. Five research questions and five hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of 86 postgraduate students, comprising 69 male and 17 female postgraduate students in universities offering ITE in South East Nigeria. The entire population was used since the population was manageable in size. Data was collected using a 75-item structured questionnaire titled: AI in Research Questionnaire (AIRQ). The instrument was validated by two experts from the Department of ITE and one expert from Measurement and Evaluation unit in the Department of Science Education, all in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. A reliability coefficient of .87 was obtained using the Cronbach's alpha formula. Mean was used to answer research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The study revealed that the extent of utilisation of AI tools for research among postgraduate students in universities in South East Nigeria is generally low. This study recommends among others that universities should organise structured AI literacy trainings for ITE postgraduate students; implement supportive university policies; encourage inter-university collaboration; and establish AI Ethics Evaluation Committees. The study concluded that ethical AI utilisation can strengthen research efficiency, writing quality, creativity, critical thinking and innovation, and also ensure knowledge creation and future-ready higher education systems capable of addressing societal and economic challenges in Africa.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Research Writing, Research Innovation, Nigeria, Postgraduate Students, Industrial Technology Education