Researchers from Mississippi State University and Baylor University have created a database of 250 AI tools aimed at improving social science research processes. The database, released on October 5, 2023, provides detailed information on tools for literature reviews, data analysis, and research dissemination, offering insights on costs, logins, and plug-in extensions. This initiative showcases the transformative potential of AI in optimising research methodologies and ensuring ethical usage in academia.
A comprehensive database featuring 250 artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to enhance social science research has been developed by researchers at Mississippi State University and Baylor University. Released on October 5, 2023, this database has been downloaded over 400 times across 49 countries.
The database categorizes the AI tools based on their utility in literature reviews, data collection, analyses, and research dissemination, detailing costs, required logins, and available plug-in extensions for each tool. Among the tools, 131 are noted for assisting with literature reviews and writing, 146 for data collection or analysis, and 108 for research dissemination.
The initiative addresses the labor-intensive nature of qualitative research, particularly in identifying themes within large datasets such as social media posts. AI can expedite this process, enhancing the depth and breadth of data analysis which was previously constrained by the sheer size of datasets.
Additionally, the database identifies tools that improve the wording of survey questions and refine keywords for data collection on social media, thereby reducing research biases. It also assists in identifying gaps in existing literature, making the review process more efficient.
While many of the tools incur costs, the database includes 85 free AI tools and several “freemium” models that offer limited free access with additional features available for a fee. This resource aims to support academics in optimizing their research methodologies using AI, while also ensuring ethical usage and verifying the sources provided by AI tools to avoid misinformation.
Authored by Megan Stubbs-Richardson, Devon Brenner, Lauren Etheredge of Mississippi State University, and MacKenzie Paul of Baylor University, the project underscores the potential of AI in transforming social science research through efficient data analysis and dissemination.
