Appraisal of Competency, Utilization and Ethical Compliance in the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Academic Research Writing Among Postgraduate Geography Students in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools such as Scite, Elicit, and Consensus into academic writing is rapidly transforming research processes across disciplines. This study appraises the competency, utilization and compliance to ethical practices in using GenAI in academic research writing among postgraduate Geography students in Federal and State Universities within Kano State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives and three corresponding research questions and null hypotheses. Using descriptive survey, data were collected by means of online survey through Generative Artificial Intelligence's Competency, Utilisation and Ethical Practices Scale (GenAI-CUES) from 110 participants. The instrument was validated and internal consistency established by using split-half and an index of 0.78 was obtained. The data collected was analysed using frequency, percentage, expected and observed median and one sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed that the postgraduate Geography students are moderately using GenAI in academic research writing and their overall competency level and compliance to ethical practices are significantly minimal. In view of these, it was recommended that the Universities should integrate application of GenAI tools in advanced research method courses and organize hands-on training sessions to strengthen students' skills and compliance to ethical considerations in order to ensure academic integrity, responsible authorship and the avoidance of plagiarism or misuse.