AI in Assessment Example: Level 4

Research Paper (Graduate-level, Environmental Science)

At this level “Full AI” of the five-level AI Assessment Scale (Perkins, et al., 2024) students can use AI to complete any elements of the tasks, with students directing AI to achieve the assessment goals. Assessments at this level may also require engagement with AI to achieve goals and solve problems.

Course: ENVS 610 – Advanced Environmental Science

Assignment Title: Research Paper on the Impact of Climate Change Using AI for Data Analysis and Literature Review

Due Date: [Insert Due Date]

Assignment Overview:
In this assignment, you will write a comprehensive research paper on the impact of climate change, utilizing AI tools to assist with data analysis and literature review. The AI will handle the processing and synthesis of large datasets and relevant scientific literature, while you will focus on directing the research process, interpreting the findings, and drawing meaningful conclusions. This assignment aims to enhance your research capabilities by integrating AI-driven insights into your academic work, allowing you to concentrate on the higher-level aspects of research and analysis.

Objectives:

To write a detailed and well-supported research paper on the impact of climate change, using AI tools to assist in data analysis and literature synthesis.
To critically engage with AI-generated data and literature, ensuring their relevance and accuracy in the context of your research.
To reflect on the role of AI in the research process, including how you guided its use and integrated AI outputs into your original research.

Instructions:

Topic Selection and Research Planning:
- Choose a specific aspect of climate change to focus on in your research paper. This could be related to climate impacts on ecosystems, human health, global weather patterns, or socioeconomic factors.
- Plan your research process, including the selection of datasets for analysis and the identification of key areas in the literature that will support your research objectives.
AI-Assisted Data Analysis and Literature Review:
- Use AI tools to analyze relevant environmental datasets. AI can assist in processing large amounts of climate data, identifying trends, correlations, and significant findings related to your chosen topic.
- Direct AI to conduct a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing relevant research articles, reports, and scientific studies. The AI can help identify key themes, gaps in the literature, and the most influential works in the field.
- Review the AI-generated data analysis and literature summaries, ensuring their accuracy and relevance to your research. Adjust the AI’s focus as needed to align with your research goals.
Research Paper Writing:
- Based on the AI-generated data and literature review, write your research paper (20-25 pages). The paper should include:
  - Introduction: An overview of the research topic, including the research question or hypothesis, and the significance of the study.
  - Literature Review: A synthesis of the AI-generated literature review, highlighting key findings, gaps, and the context for your research.
  - Methodology: A description of the AI-assisted data analysis process, including the datasets used, the analytical methods applied, and how AI contributed to the research.
  - Results: Presentation of the AI-generated data analysis, including relevant graphs, charts, and tables that support your findings.
  - Discussion: An interpretation of the results, drawing meaningful conclusions about the impact of climate change based on your analysis. Consider the implications of your findings and any limitations of the AI-generated data.
  - Conclusion: A summary of the key findings, contributions to the field, and suggestions for future research.
Reflection and Documentation:
- Submit the AI-generated data analysis and literature summaries alongside your final research paper. Document your use of AI by explaining how you directed the AI tools, the specific tasks AI assisted with, and how you ensured the accuracy and relevance of the AI outputs.
- Write a reflective piece (3-4 pages) discussing how AI influenced your research process. Reflect on the benefits and challenges of using AI in research, including how you guided the AI’s contributions and integrated them into your original work.
Final Submission:
- Submit your complete research paper, including all sections listed above, along with the AI-generated materials and the reflective piece.
- Ensure that the paper is well-organized, clearly written, and professionally presented, with appropriate citations and references.

Evaluation Criteria:

– Depth and Quality of Research (35%): Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the chosen climate change topic, with well-supported analysis and conclusions.

– Effective Use of AI Tools (25%): Effectively using AI for data analysis and literature review, with clear documentation of AI’s contributions and critical assessment of its outputs.

– Clarity and Coherence of Writing (20%): Presenting a well-organized and clearly articulated research paper that effectively communicates the research findings and their significance.

– Reflection on AI Use (10%): Providing insightful and critical reflections on the role of AI in the research process, including how AI influenced your approach and the integration of AI-generated insights into your work.

– Writing and Presentation Quality (10%): Producing a professionally written and well-presented research paper, with attention to academic standards, formatting, and citation practices.

Support Resources:

– AI Tools and Software: Access to AI tools such as [specify tools, e.g., R, Python with data analysis libraries, NVivo, Scite.ai] will be provided through the university’s research lab. Training sessions on using these tools for data analysis and literature review will be available at the beginning of the semester.

– Workshops and Tutorials: Attend workshops focused on AI in environmental science research, covering topics such as climate data analysis, literature synthesis, and integrating AI outputs into academic writing.

– Office Hours: Schedule office hours with your instructor to discuss your research plan, AI tool use, and strategies for effectively incorporating AI-generated insights into your paper.

– Library Resources: The university library offers access to scientific journals, climate data repositories, and research databases. Librarians can assist you in finding relevant sources and navigating AI tools for literature reviews.

– Peer Collaboration: Participate in peer review sessions where you can present your AI-generated findings and receive feedback on how to refine and enhance your research paper.

Academic Integrity:
Your final research paper must reflect your original work, with AI tools used to support your data analysis and literature review. Misuse of AI to generate unoriginal content or failure to critically engage with AI-generated outputs will be considered a violation of academic integrity. All AI tools and methods used must be properly documented and critically assessed in your reflection.

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