Questions & Answers

Generative AI (Gen. AI), such as the most well-known AI tools (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity), can be helpful in certain steps of the academic research process:

• Assistance in creating a word list
• Development of a study or writing plan with work packages
• Providing inspiration for rephrasing
• Coaching functions such as suggestions for improving the research question or table of contents
• Aiding in understanding resources (Note: Only freely available content from the surface web may be uploaded to AI tools!)

Important: AI doesn't replace your brainwork! AI-Tools can support your work, but its use has to be referenced. It is imperative to note the FHGR instructions on how to use artificial intelligence in the Guidelines for academic work.

We recommend using AI-based research tools such as Open Knowledge Maps, SciteAI, Consensus or Elicit.

Elicit supports the definiton of research questions and the literature research. Consensus summarises current research status quo. Open Knowledge Maps and SciteAI give an overview of the research fields. It's crucial to choose the most suitable tool for your issue/purpose. The PAIR Framework can help to make the right choice.

Since the use of generative AI, as is the case with most chatbots, can lead to the invention of resources, caution is advised when using Gen AI for resource research.

More to the listed AI-based research tools in the Toolbox.

Important: AI doesn't replace your brainwork! AI-Tools can support your work, but its use has to be referenced. It is imperative to note the FHGR instructions on how to use artificial intelligence in the Guidelines for academic work.

Tools such as (specialist) dictionaries, thesauri, a simple internet search or the use of AI chatbots can be used to create a word list. For example, the website bettersynonyms.com can be used to find English synonyms

Further reference works can be found on the Research-Bar, under licensed e-resources.

The specialised subject databases licensed by the Library are listed in the Research-Bar under "Top 3 databases by field of study". For each subject area taught at the UAS Grisons, there is also a handout, “Further information resources” for the respective subject area, including a description of the platform and their contents.

No, a registration is not necessary. All platforms must always be accessed from the UAS Grisons network (Wi-Fi on site, VPN outside the UAS) or via the direct links on the Research-Bar (with ezproxy inserted in the URL). If you are asked for an institutional login, it is very likely that the connection was not established as described.

You are still more than welcome to register on the platforms to save your search history or to receive notifications for new publications.

Activate the VPN of the UAS Grisons to access licensed electronic resources or alternatively use the direct links from the Research-Bar on Moodle.

You can also find a video tutorial here which explains the procedure in detail.

Access to the licensed e-resources (e-books, e-journals, databases) is generally possible from within the UAS Grisons network: wether on site with the Wi-Fi, from outside with the VPN or via the direct links stored on the Research-Bar (with ezproxy inserted in the URL). If the connection to the e-book provider has not been established as described, it will not be possible to access or download the e-book.

You can find out more about accessing e-resources in this video tutorial.

In order to use your library, you have to register on swisscovery. After successful registration, you can use your SWITCH edu-ID account for all SLSP libraries. You can find more information about registration here.

The library is also accessible outside of counter opening hours as a place to study. During the building opening hours books can be returned, or can be loaned out via the self checkout (library card number mandatory).

There is no general answer to this question. The number of sources depends on the research question. It is important that you gain a understanding of the state of research on your topic. If you have a topic that has been discussed academically for some time, you will find more sources than for a topic that has only recently emerged.

Reference management systems support the storage and organisation of all your resources. In addition to saving the resource information (author, year, publisher, title...), PDFs of the resources are secured and can be edited directly in the tool. Reference management systems simplify citation during the writing process by automatically integrating the short references and the bibliography into the work.

The UAS provides support for the Citavi and Zotero systems. Find out more in the Guidelines.

For the APA and DGPs citation styles used at the UAS Grisons, examples of short references in the text and detailed citations in the bibliography are given in the guidelines for academic work. It is important that a chosen citation style is used consistently and not mixed with another.

It is also advisable to use a reference management software when writing academic papers: Guidelines for scientific work

With the licensed tool MAXQDA, recordings such as interviews can be transcribed, 1h is free. Microsoft Word also has a similar function. Various AI-based tools are also available.

You can find out more about the transcription tools in the Toolbox.