AI Tools, Guidance and Responsible Practice for Research
AI is accelerating research across every discipline, from literature synthesis and data pattern recognition to grant writing and lab automation. Kent State supports researchers in using these capabilities effectively while navigating the real considerations around attribution, data governance, reproducibility, and funder policy.
Approved tools for research
Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and NotebookLM are sanctioned for university data. NotebookLM is especially useful for synthesizing large document sets, upload papers, reports or transcripts and interrogate them directly. Do not input HIPAA-protected, IRB-restricted or unpublished proprietary data without first consulting IT and your IRB coordinator.
Attribution and reproducibility
Major journals, funding agencies, and professional associations are actively updating their AI use policies, and they vary considerably. As a rule: disclose AI use in your methods or acknowledgments, do not list AI as a co-author, and retain documentation of AI-assisted steps for reproducibility. Kent State libraries can help you navigate specific publisher requirements.
Grant writing
AI tools can accelerate literature review synthesis, help structure specific aims, and improve clarity in lay summaries. NIH, NSF, and other major funders have issued guidance on AI use in applications, review these before submitting. Kent State's Office of Research has template language for common disclosure scenarios.
IRB and human subjects
Using AI to analyze data involving human subjects, including interview transcripts, survey responses, or behavioral data, may have IRB implications depending on how and where the data is processed. Consult your IRB coordinator before routing sensitive research data through any AI platform.
High-performance computing and advanced AI
Research involving large datasets, model training, or computation-intensive AI applications may be eligible for HPC resources through Kent State's research computing infrastructure. Contact the Division of IT's research computing team for a consultation about what's available and how to get access.