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- The impact of generative AI on the scholarly communications of early career researchers: an international, multi‐disciplinary studyPublication . Nicholas, David; Swigon, Marzena; Clark, David; Abrizah, Abdullah; Revez, Jorge, 1980-; Herman, Eti; Rodríguez Bravo, Blanca; Xu, Jie; Watkinson, AnthonyThe Harbingers study of early career researchers (ECRs), their work life and scholarly communications, began by studying generational—Millennial—change (c.2016), then moved to pandemic change (c.2020) and is now investigating another potential agent of change: artificial intelligence (2024–). We report here on a substantial scoping pilot study that looks at the impact of AI on the scholarly communications of international ECRs and, extends this to the arts and humanities. It aims to fill the knowledge gap concerning ECRs whose millennial mindset may render them especially open to change and, as the research workhorses they are, very much in the frontline. The data was collected via in-depth interviews in China, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Spain and (selectively) the United Kingdom/United States. The data show ECRs to be thinking, probing and, in some cases, experimenting with AI. There was a general acceptance that AI will be responsible for the growth of low quality scientific papers, which could lead to a decline in the quality of research. Scholarly integrity and ethics were a big concern with issues of authenticity, plagiarism, copyright and poor citation practices raised. The most widespread belief was AI would prove to be a transformative force and would exacerbate existing scholarly disparities and inequalities.
- Are early career researchers feeling the consequences of the COVID pandemic?Publication . Nicholas, David; Abrizah, Abdullah; Revez, Jorge, 1980-; Rodríguez Bravo, Blanca; Swigon, Marzena; Clark, David; Xu, Jie; Watkinson, Anthony; Herman, EtiDuring the COVID pandemic, some commentators thought that early career researchers (ECRs) would become a ‘lost generation’. Yet the Harbingers (H-2) longitudinal study, which followed ECRs for 2 years during the pandemic found that ECRs took things in their stride. More than 2 years on, we returned, as part of the AI stage of the Harbingers study (H-3), to see what has transpired and interviewed nearly 70 ECRs from six countries as part of an exploratory study. We found that: (1) only one in six ECRS thought they were suffering from the residual impacts of the pandemic, with increased workload creating the greatest stress; (2) working remotely, digitally and more flexibly was thought by many to be the biggest dividend delivered, making the job more desirable and competitive; (3) an apparent growth in jobs and promotions (tenures) confirmed the bounce-back. Given the modest size of the study, analysis by country has to be undertaken with caution, but China, where political and economic factors have stifled any bounce-back, stands out for special attention in a future full blown study. Finally, the study yielded informed and considered views that the long-term impact of the pandemic appears to be beneficial rather than disadvantageous.
- Authors, wordsmiths and ghostwriters: early career researchers' responses to artificial intelligencePublication . Clark, David; Nicholas, David; Swigon, Marzena; Abrizah, Abdullah; Rodríguez‐Bravo, Blanca; Revez, Jorge, 1980-; Herman, Eti; Xu, Jie; Watkinson, AnthonyPresents the results of a study of the impact of artificial intelligence on early career researchers (ECRs). An important group to study because their millennial mindset may render them especially open to AI. We provide empirical data and a validity check of the numerous publications providing forecasts and prognostications. This interview-based study—part of the Harbingers project on ECRs—covers a convenience sample of 91 ECRs from all fields and seven countries using both qualitative and quantitative data to view the AI experience, engagement, utility, attitudes and representativeness of ECRs. We find that: (1) ECRs exhibit mostly limited or moderate levels of experience; (2) in regard to engagement and usage there is a divide with some ECRs exhibiting little or none and others enthusiastically using AI; (3) ECRs do not think they are unrepresentative when compared to their colleagues; (4) ECRs who score highly on these measures tend to be computer scientists, but not exclusively so; (5) the main concerns regarding AI were around authenticity, especially plagiarism; (6) a major attraction of AI is the automation of ‘wordsmithing’; the process and technique of composition and writing.
- Where will AI take scholarly communication? Voices from the research frontlinePublication . Nicholas, David; Rodríguez-Bravo, Blanca; Abrizah, Abdullah; Revez, Jorge, 1980-; Herman, Eti; Clark, David; Swigon, Marzena; Xu, Jie; Watkinson, AnthonyEarly career researchers (ECRs) are in an ideal position to soothsay. Yet, much of what we know about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) comes from vested interest groups, such as publishers, tech companies and industry leaders, which are strong on hyperbole, are superficial and, at best, narrow surveys. This paper seeks to redress this by providing deep empirical data from researchers, allowing us to hear researchers' views and ‘voices’. The data comes from a project, which focuses on the impact of AI on scholarly communications. From this study, we report on the perceived transformations to the scholarly communications system by AI and other forces. We were especially interested in discovering what future ECRs foresaw for the established pillars of the system—journals and libraries. The interview-based study covers a convenience sample of 91 ECRs from all disciplines and half a dozen countries. The main findings being that while the large majority thought there would be a transformation there was no consensus as to what a transformation would look like, but there was agreement on it being one shaped by AI. The future appears rosy for journals, but less so for libraries and, importantly, for most ECRs, too.