Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human-like intelligence using computer systems. ChatGPT, for example, is a specific type of AI model that uses complex language models and deep learning techniques to generate human-like responses to text input. These AI models are trained on vast amounts of data to understand language patterns and contexts and to generate coherent responses. Among the many things AI can be beneficial in research, brainstorming, and writing. Here is a quick guide to getting better acquainted with using AI in the classroom.
Productivity tools can kick-start the research process by breaking down larger projects into manageable tasks, setting expectations around task duration, and turning a brainstorm of ideas into a compiled list.
Zotero, the open-source citation manager, works well with AI-based research tools. Use these tools below to help you find and save scholarly articles and sources directly to your Zotero library.
These tools will help you check your grammar and think through phrasing because they are fundamentally about pattern recognition, comparison, and ultimately conformation to a machine-driven standard. Check with your faculty for specific use restrictions in classroom writing.
Remember, AI is a tool and should be treated as such, it cannot do your thinking for you. It can help with outlines, brainstorming, sentence structure, etc., but it is not a substitute for the actual work of writing. Hopefully, these tools can help you develop ideas so that you can excel in the classroom.
When working and researching off campus, you will be prompted to enter your Butler credentials frequently to access library resources. When you see the login screen below, usually before viewing a full-text article or accessing a database like AccessMedicine or UpToDate, enter your credentials to access the resource. Contact your librarian if you are having any trouble with off campus access.
Academic libraries share materials between each other via InterLibrary Loan. For Butler users, the Interlibrary loan system is connected with your regular library borrowing account which can be accessed here.
You can request articles or books that Butler doesn't own from other libraries by searching in the Butler WorldCat discovery tool. If we own or can access something, you'll see shelf information or an access link, and if we don't own something, you'll see an Interlibrary Loan request button instead.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery of physical items. An e-mail will be sent when print materials are ready for pick-up. You can select pick-up at Irwin or Science when making your request.
Most journal articles arrive in 3-4 days and will be sent electronically.
Send any questions to ill@butler.edu
REMEMBER: Use WorldCat Discovery to find:
Be sure to use the limiters on the left-hand side of the screen to narrow down your results!
Also, REMEMBER: Work out some of your search strategy before going online! Think about your topic. Write down key terms, concepts, titles, and the names of key people whose thinking or work is relevant to your topic. Be sure to include synonyms of key terms and concepts. Also, consider important geographic locations and time periods (i.e., geographic and chronological limiters).
InterLibrary Loan (ILL)
If you find materials in WorldCat that Butler Libraries do not own, you can obtain these through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). This is a service that enables Butler students to have access to library resources NOT OWNED by the Butler Libraries. You make Interlibrary Loan requests directly from the catalog or a database by clicking the "Request" button. If there is no request button, log on to your Library Account.
From your account you can:
For all ILL questions contact Sarah Damery at 317-940-9677 or sdamery@butler.edu.
Items in the catalog are assigned Subject Headings in the catalog. Subject Headings are meant to capture the most essential themes and content of the material (books, recordings, eResources, etc.). When you search by subjects, you are able to find a smaller collection of items that share the same essential subject matter. In catalog records, subjects are hyperlinked so that you can click on related subjects to browse related groups of items. You can also combine subjects in searches to get narrower results.
At Butler University, all of the libraries use the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System. For those accustomed to the Dewey Decimal System, the LC System may look strange because it combines letters and numbers. Every LC call number begins with a letter or letters which designate the general subject of the material and knowing helpful classification numbers will help you browse the catalog and the stacks for related material.
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