AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tools

Write clear instructions. If the AI doesn't give enough, ask for more details. If the response is too general, give the AI more information. If it doesn't give the desired information, perhaps you need add something into the prompt.

If this sounds familiar, it is similar to a search strategy on our databases. It's just with databases, you tend to use nouns and tell the system how to combine the ideas, and with AI, you can use natural language. Treat your session with the AI as a dialogue to find what you want, not as an answer.

• Be CLEAR: concise, but logical, explicit, adaptive, and reflective.
• Give task/action. Start with an active verb describing what you want.
• Provide context. Treat the AI as a stranger who is intelligent but inexperienced.
• Give examples
• Detail constraints/formatting. Set the tone. If you want it to be playful, say so.
• Use inclusive language, and if you want the AI to consider various populations in the answer, list them. This helps to counteract bias.

Repeat as needed. As in searching databases, you may need to refine your prompt.

• Evaluate the response from the AI. Does the response cover all aspects? Is it what you are looking for? Is the information correct? Is the response inclusive? Do you want the AI to respond with a step-by-step answer?
• If you can't clearly define your prompt, try to break it down into sections. Or, start with a general question (being as specific as you can) and ask the AI for suggestions. Then pursue what is appropriate.
• You can assign the AI a role, like "You are my research assistant, and we will work together to get the best possible answer." Or, "As a historian, explain to me....."
• Experiment with different versions.

From Computer Science Database

Bates, M. E. (2024). Voices of the searchers: Librarians as prompt engineers. Computers in Libraries, 44(2), 35. Retrieved from https://sdcity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/compscijour/trade-journals/voices-searchers-librarians-as-prompt-engineers/docview/2954296456/sem-2?accountid=38960
Refers to librarians but contains information everyone should consider.

Examples of prompts:

• I am a community college student, and I don't know about _____. Describe the major aspects of _____... Include but do not limit to the following aspects (list what you know).
• I am a community college student researching the topic social media on the spread of misinformation for an essay I need to write for my composition class. Using the lens of social justice, explain... Include how it impacts different ethnicities (and/or genders, age groups).
• I need help exploring my topic, which is …. One at a time, ask me who, what, when, where, why questions so that I can think more about my topic. (If it is a complex question, you might ask one part of the question at a time).
• Give me an outline of my topic, which is..... . Include this information (if you have it. Then when you have an outline you are happy with, you can ask the AI to ask you question based on the outline. If the response is too general, ask it for more specific questions).