Medical Imaging: finding literature for assignments

There are an increasing number of generative AI tools out there that promise to help you find relevant resources for your research. While some of these tools can be a helpful aide, it is crucial to be aware of the pros and cons of each tool, as well as those of the technology more generally.

At present, Generative AI chatbot tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or CoPilot are not suitable for searching for academic literature. These tools are not designed to support this kind of work, and the body of material they have been trained on and which they access is far too broad and variable in quality to be sufficiently reliable for effective healthcare research. These tools may invent references, misrepresent or over-simplify material, contain hidden guardrails and biases, and fail to locate relevant material.

However, there are some generative AI tools available which are specifically designed to locate academic literature, such as Elicit, Consensus, and Undermind. These, too, have advantages and disadvantages, and are not a substitute for in-depth database searching; however, used wisely, they may provide a way for you to get started in your research. 

For further detailed guidance on using generative AI more generally in your academic work, have a look at the library's "AI: Understand it" guide.