Are AI Responses Too Vague? A Guide for PhD Students

Chances are, you’ve attempted to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for your research. AI can be an incredibly useful tool for you as a PhD candidate. Whether brainstorming ideas, writing articles, or getting feedback when needed, AI can streamline and enhance your research process.

AI responses are not good enough

Are your AI responses not always good enough? They might be too vague or incorrect, unrelated to your question. Or perhaps it’s unclear where the answer comes from, which is crucial for you as a researcher who needs sources for the information you share. It can be particularly frustrating when you know there’s good information available, or when you are under a deadline and need speed.

What doesn’t work

Some PhD candidates try to solve this by asking ChatGPT the same question multiple times, hoping for a better answer. Others formulate their questions precisely, hoping the AI will answer correctly. Sometimes this helps a little, but usually not.

What does work: Custom instructions

Fortunately, there is a more efficient way to ensure ChatGPT provides the answers you need: creating custom instructions. By giving specific instructions on how you want responses, you significantly improve the quality and relevance of the answers you receive. ChatGPT then adapts to you rather than giving generic standard answers. You train ChatGPT by answering two questions:

–What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?

–How would you like ChatGPT to respond?

How do we answer these questions?

Think carefully about what you need from AI. What types of answers are useful for your research? Is it important that sources are cited in the answers? What do you want AI to know about your background and education? Do you prefer detailed or concise answers?

Question 1: Key points to consider
What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?

– Specify who you are, where you work, and your background. You can include websites, links to articles you’ve written, your workplace, or your profile on ResearchGate or LinkedIn.
– Indicate your work focus, being as specific as possible.
– Share your background: where you live and your family situation.
– Mention role models or people whose work you admire and explain why you admire them.
– State your interests, passions, and curiosities.
– Highlight what you find important in your work or life, such as a particular project management style, lifestyle, diet, or sport.

Question 2: Key points to consider
How would you like ChatGPT to respond?

– Specify whether you want ChatGPT to ask follow-up questions.
– Indicate the language you prefer ChatGPT to use.
– Mention any models or frameworks that are important to you.
– State the areas you want to focus on.
– Indicate the style in which you want to be addressed: formal, informal, academic, etc.
– Specify whether you want to be approached as a beginner, expert, etc.
– Indicate if you want ChatGPT to cite sources, for instance, in the form of links.

Integrate the instructions in ChatGPT

Go to ChatGPT, click on your name, and choose “custom instructions.” The two questions will appear, and you can enter your specific preferences.

Test and adjust

After setting up your custom instructions, test them by asking the AI some questions. Evaluate the responses and adjust your instructions as necessary to improve the answers further.

AI can save time and improve quality

By training ChatGPT with your instructions, you ensure it better meets your research needs. This will save you time and increase the quality of your work.

I’d love to hear about the differences you experience.

Do you have any questions or want more tips on using AI tools effectively in your PhD journey? Feel free to contact me at arjenne@louterpromoveren.nl.

For more PhD tips and information, visit https://thedutchphdcoach.com/