When researching online, it’s important to use reliable sources. Not all websites provide accurate or trustworthy information. The library offers access to high-quality sources, like academic journals and books, that have been reviewed by experts. By using the library’s resources, you can trust that the information you find is accurate and useful for your studies.
When using the Library's sources, you must also make sure to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is when you use someone else’s ideas or words without giving them credit. To avoid this, you must properly cite and reference the sources you use. Ask your lecturer what referencing style you are to use, and keep track of your sources as you read them. Then cite and reference them in your final work, using the style your lecturer told you. If you do not cite and reference your work, you can be penalised for plagiarism and a breach of academic integrity. More information on academic integrity can be found here: https://iadt.libguides.com/plagiarism
More information on referencing can be found here: https://iadt.libguides.com/referencing
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
When using AI tools, it’s important to be careful. While they can help with research, they might not always provide reliable information. AI can also lead to issues with plagiarism if the work isn't properly credited. To avoid problems, make sure you check the accuracy of what AI generates and always cite your sources correctly. This way, you’ll stay on track with academic integrity.
Language barriers can possibly lead to increased reliance on AI to generate text or translate materials, potentially leading to unintentional plagiarism or misuse of sources.
The above video will walk you through how to use the general search in the Library, called "Discovery".
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Many people use Google Scholar for research. There are advantages and disadvantages, which you can see in the table below. We encourage students to use Library resources instead of Google Scholar because Library resources are high-quality, and you can always access them. With Google Scholar, you may find a paywall, which means you can’t read the article or book you found.
As an international student, you might be more at risk when using AI tools for your research. This is because academic standards and expectations may be different from what you're used to, and it can be harder to recognise the risks that come with relying on AI.
Language barriers might also lead you to use AI for help with writing or translating, which could cause accidental plagiarism or issues with citing sources correctly.
You might also feel pressure to keep up with your coursework and complete it quickly. AI might seem like an easy way to help, but if you don’t check the information carefully or give credit to the sources, you could run into problems. Understanding these risks will help you use AI correctly and avoid any issues.
This article highlights the ways Artificial Intelligence could harm your academic career if not used responsibly: 4 ways AI will betray international students – and how to protect yourself
We have guides which ego in to more detail about these topics:
You can access these databases directly by clicking on the relevant link in Our Collections > Online Journals and databases. You can then search those databases individually, instead of searching across everything the Library has, which is what happens when you use the white search bar on the Library homepage https://library.iadt.ie/
