Here are a few things that are missing from the abstract: - Details about the specific board game design/activities used in the study. Just saying it uses a "board game-based approach" is vague. - Background on previous research conducted in this area. The abstract does not establish what existing literature or gaps in knowledge the study aims to address. - Sample size or participant demographics. Without mentioning how many parents/children will be involved, the scope of the study is unclear. - Timeframe or duration of the study. When and for how long data will be collected is important contextual information. - Limitations or delimitations of the research design. All studies have boundaries that should be acknowledged.

1. Write your thesis
using AI
By: Ricardo Sosa, PhD
ricardo.sosa.phd@gmail.com
May 2023

2. Disclaimer
• Before you get too emotional (excited or upset) by the title of
this presentation, it’d be good to clarify:
• By AI I mean here Large Language Models (LLMs)
• I advocate for creative, critical, and ethical uses of technology
• Therefore, this guide will help you write your thesis (it’s in the
title) using LLM as an assistant or a co-pilot

3. Before we begin
This guide can help you write any academic text, such as:
- Your Master of PhD thesis
- A research proposal
- A journal or conference paper
It’s especially useful for those working in interdisciplinary
research approaches and across methodologies

4. Before you begin
These are the basic ingredients that you will need here:
1) A research question (or a few candidates)
2) Skills in one (or more) research methodologies
3) A familiarity with the literature in your area
4) An understanding of research ethics
But don’t worry if you feel unprepared, these are skills that you
will continue to develop and sharpen in your research journey

5. How this exercise works
These slides guide you through a series of self-directed activities
that have helped hundreds of students write their proposals and
theses. I have now added extra content to use ChatGPT.
Pay attention to the time duration at the top left of each screen.
You need a timer to move ahead. I recommend that you try every
step in sequence and later on return to a specific activity as
needed.

6. Let’s start!

7. Setting up
First of, go to https://chat.openai.com/ and create an account. Or
you can use https://bard.google.com/, it should be the same for
the purpose of this exercise. It’s better if you first play around with
ChatGPT or Bard trying out different prompts

8. LLM prompts
Another warm-up activity: ask ChatGPT “What makes a good
prompt for chatgpt?” It will likely say things like: be concise, clear,
specific, provide context, experiment with alternative words, and
ask to clarify.
I believe that the best skill is to know how to choose good
keywords. Try and develop that skill first –talk to your supervisor.

9. Activity 1: Title
Let’s start with the title of your thesis/proposal/paper. Don’t worry, it’s often a
working title until the very last minute.
1. Write down the title of your research
2. Write a short paragraph describing what your study is about. You can use
dictation tech to write this or just write it quickly using everyday words as
you would tell someone at a bar or in an elevator
3. Ask ChatGPT: “Give me a list of ten possible titles for a thesis that presents
a study of________________________”
4. Compare the results with your original title. Anything useful or interesting?
Time: 10 minutes

10. Activity 1: Title
Prompt: List ten possible titles for a thesis that presents a study of board games to better understand
how parents' attitudes to schooling can impact on how children enjoy learning
ChatGPT produces variants of: "Exploring the Influence of Parents' Attitudes towards Schooling on
Children's Enjoyment of Learning Through the Lens of Board Games“; "Investigating the Correlation
Between Parents' Schooling Attitudes and Children's Learning Enjoyment: An Analysis Using Board
Games“; "Examining the Relationship between Parental Perspectives on Schooling and Children's
Learning Enjoyment: Insights from Board Games“; "The Impact of Parents' Schooling Attitudes on
Children's Perception of Learning: Insights from a Board Game-Based Study“
Note that the term “correlation” would be appropriate only if your methodology was quantitative,
otherwise it’s a misleading title. For qualitative studies, “perspectives” and “insights” may be good
words that I didn’t have in my original title. I may also consider “through the lens of”. Explore!
EXAMPLE

11. Activity 1: Title
And how about we try some more impactful and less rigid titles? For example, prompt: Give
me five more but in the style of a newspaper headline
1. "Game On! How Parents' Attitudes to Schooling Shape Children's Learning Joy via
Board Games"
2. "Unlocking Learning Pleasure: Board Games Shed Light on Parental Influence on
Children's Attitudes to Education"
3. "The Board Game Connection: Revealing How Parents' Schooling Attitudes Impact
Children's Love for Learning"
4. "Cracking the Code: Board Games as Clues to How Parents' Views on Schooling Affect
Children's Learning Enjoyment"
5. "Breaking the Mold: Board Games Unveil the Link between Parental Mindset and
Children's Educational Engagement“
Some of these may be useful and appropriate. What do you think? Are there options here
that you’d consider for a title? At the very least this quick exercise could give you ideas for
keywords you could use later: joy, love for learning, engagement.
EXAMPLE

12. Activity 2: Research Question
1. Write down your research question
• Not a yes/no question
• Not many questions in one
• A question that seeks to understand
• May require an answer or lead to new questions
2. Ask ChatGPT: “Give me ten variants of this research question:
____”
3. Compare the results with your original title. Anything useful or
interesting?
Time: 10 minutes

13. Activity 2: Research Question
Prompt: Give me ten variants of this research question: How can a transformative justice approach be
applied to increase the participation of minority youth in STEM education?
Here are a few ChatGPT responses -I’ve manually removed the repetitive or those just using
synonyms:
1. How can the principles of transformative justice empower and support minority youth in their
involvement in STEM education?
2. What transformative justice solutions can be implemented to address disparities and foster greater
involvement of minority youth in STEM education?
3. How does a transformative justice perspective go beyond representation to amplify the presence
and influence of minority youth in STEM education?
Some of these are interesting because the terms used open pathways that can be worth exploring.
EXAMPLE

14. Activity 2: Research Question
I then asked ChatGPT to rewrite the research question for a study that uses Quantitative, Qualitative,
and Practice-based research methods. The results are not so good:
Quantitative Research Methods: What is the quantitative impact of applying principles of
transformative justice on empowering and supporting minority youth in their involvement in STEM
education?
Qualitative Research Methods: What are the lived experiences and perceptions of minority youth
regarding the empowerment and support received through the application of transformative justice
principles in their involvement in STEM education?
Practice-Based Research Methods: How do specific practices informed by transformative justice
principles empower and support minority youth in their involvement in STEM education?
It does get some words right but this is evidently still a task that is conceptually too complex for an
LLM!
EXAMPLE

15. Activity 3: Abstract
To write your abstract, answer these questions in one sentence each:
1. What is your study about?
2. Why is this a worthwhile topic/area for research?
3. Who (else) needs to know about this topic?
4. How will you study this topic?
5. Results: How will your study contribute to the field of study?
Time: 15 minutes

16. Activity 3: Abstract
I asked ChatGPT: Write a 200-word abstract for a thesis titled
“The Impact of Parents' Schooling Attitudes on Children's
Perception of Learning: Insights from a Board Game-Based
Study”.
See the next slide for its response and pay attention to the
highlighted elements. It shows key information that abstracts
have.
EXAMPLE

17. This thesis, titled "The Impact of Parents' Schooling Attitudes on Children's Perception of Learning:
Insights from a Board Game-Based Study," explores the influence of parental attitudes towards schooling
on children's perception of learning. The study utilizes a board game-based approach to gain valuable
insights into this relationship.
The research investigates how parents' beliefs, expectations, and attitudes towards education can shape
children's perception of learning experiences. By using board games as a medium, the study provides a
unique and interactive platform for children and parents to engage in educational activities while
reflecting their attitudes towards schooling.
The thesis employs a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative
data collection methods. Through surveys, interviews, and observation of gameplay sessions, the study
gathers rich data on parents' attitudes towards schooling and their impact on children's perception of
learning.
The findings from this study contribute to the existing knowledge base on the complex dynamics
between parental attitudes and children's educational experiences. Understanding how parents'
schooling attitudes influence children's perception of learning is crucial for developing effective
strategies to enhance children's engagement and enjoyment of education.
The implications of this research extend to both academic and practical contexts, providing valuable
insights for educators, policymakers, and parents. Ultimately, the study aims to foster a better
understanding of the role parents play in shaping children's educational experiences and offers
recommendations to promote positive attitudes towards learning in children through parental
engagement and support.

18. Activity 3: Abstract
Some of those elements in the abstract may be correct and could help
you expand your horizons when preparing a proposal: Maybe look at
beliefs and expectations in addition to attitudes? Maybe use a mixed
methods approach? Do think what will constitute rich data. Do
consider what recommendations your study will produce for policy
makers, educators and parents.
But perhaps more crucially: What is missing from the abstract? It does
not say anything about the design of the board game, for example. It
doesn’t mention how this area has been researched before. What
else?
EXAMPLE

19. Activity 4: Literature Review
Conduct your review of the literature. Talk to your supervisor to
decide if it should be a systematic, narrative, scoping, meta-
analysis, integrative, etc.
• Select the top 3 references related to your research question
• Select the top 3 references related to your methodology
• Write down in one or two sentences how you applied (or plan
to) the methodology to address your research question? How
do they align?
Time: 10 minutes

20. Activity 4: Literature Review
Conduct your review of the literature. Talk to your supervisor to decide
what type of review you need: systematic, narrative, scoping, meta-
analysis, integrative, etc.
Identify relevant papers that use a variety of methodologies. Use a
database like Google Scholar and add keywords related to
quantitative, qualitative, and other methodologies next to your
research question or main topic keywords to identity:
• The top 3 papers most closely related to your research question
• 3 papers closely related to your methodology
Time: 10 minutes

21. Activity 5: Methodology
• Write down in one or two sentences how you applied (or plan to) the
methodology to address your research question? How do these
align?
• What other methods have been used to study this topic or question?
• How do those studies inform your work? Or how (will) do your work
inform those types of studies?
• Why are you not selecting another methodology?
• Set a 1hr later to complete the following template
Time: 10 minutes

22. Activity 5: Methodology
My methodology for this study is ____________ which consists of ____________________.
This methodology has been used for ________________ by these people in these studies
____________, resulting in ____________ outcomes/findings/contributions.
This topic has also been studied using other methodologies: ______________ by
_________ and __________ by ___________.
The limitations of those methodologies for the study of this particular topic are:
_______________ and _________________.
The main limitations of the methodology I chose here are ______________ and
_______________ as explained by ______________.
The main reason why this methodology that I chose suits this topic is
___________________ (“big picture” philosophical justification)
TEMPLATE

23. Take a break!

24. Activity 5: Methodology
Respond to these prompts:
• This is how I plan to apply my method(s):
• People involved (participants, stakeholders, collaborators…):
_________
• Step by step process: __________________
• Place(s), tools, materials: _____________________
• Pilots, prototypes: ____________________
• Ethical concerns or issues: _____________________
• Because… (craft a strong argument for each item “… because…”)
Time: 10 minutes

25. Activity 6: Outcomes
Complete these prompts:
• I am expecting to get these results/outcomes:
________________
• This is how I am going to analyse or process the results:
_______
• This is the audience of my thesis:
__________________________
• This is how I’m going to present my results/outcomes: _______
Time: 10 minutes

26. Activity 7: Ethics
Complete these prompts:
• These people participate in the study: ______________. They are important because _____________.
My role in the study is ____________.
• My main expertise related to this study is __________________.
• The benefits of this study to participants: ______; to me: ________; to the wider community:
_______________________.
• These are the ethical issues or questions I need to consult with experts: ________________________.
• I have made sure or will make sure that:
• The topic is worthwhile studying by doing: ___________
• Those involved are the right people: _____________________
• The methods I use are working: ________________________
• The results I get are trustworthy/meaningful: _____________
Time: 10 minutes

27. Activity 8: Review
To conclude this session check:
• Your title, does it need to change?
• Your RQ, is anything missing? Different choice of words?
• Your abstract, what isn’t crystal clear?
• Do you need to do/complete your review of the literature?
• Have you aligned and justified your methodology?
• Have you thought of all ethical aspects of your research?
Time: 10 minutes

28. Strategies to write with
ChatGPT

29. Strategy 1: Establish a baseline
Ask ChatGPT to write a paragraph or section with a carefully created prompt
such as: “Write the opening paragraph of the methodology section of a
thesis that used surveys to study the change in teachers' attitudes to the use
of Wikipedia by children in the last ten years”
ChatGPT: “The methodology employed in this thesis aimed to investigate the change in teachers' attitudes towards the
use of Wikipedia by children over the course of the past ten years. To achieve this objective, a survey-based research
approach was adopted, as surveys allow for the collection of data from a large and diverse sample size. This methodology
facilitated the examination of teachers' perspectives, opinions, and evolving attitudes towards Wikipedia as an information
source for children. By utilizing surveys, the study sought to capture a comprehensive understanding of teachers' changing
perceptions and identify any significant shifts that have occurred in their attitudes towards the use of Wikipedia in
educational contexts. The following section presents a detailed account of the survey design, participant selection, data
collection methods, and data analysis procedures undertaken in this research endeavor.”

30. Strategy 1: Establish a baseline
ChatGPT: “The methodology employed in this thesis aimed to investigate the change in teachers' attitudes towards
the use of Wikipedia by children over the course of the past ten years. To achieve this objective, a survey-based
research approach was adopted, as surveys allow for the collection of data from a large and diverse sample size.
This methodology facilitated the examination of teachers' perspectives, opinions, and evolving attitudes towards
Wikipedia as an information source for children. By utilizing surveys, the study sought to capture a comprehensive
understanding of teachers' changing perceptions and identify any significant shifts that have occurred in their
attitudes towards the use of Wikipedia in educational contexts. The following section presents a detailed account of
the survey design, participant selection, data collection methods, and data analysis procedures undertaken in this
research endeavor.”
Read the result carefully and make some notes of what are the elements
included in this opening paragraph. This is now your baseline, what you
write needs to be better than the output of a “stochastic parrot”! Do this with
paragraphs or sections as an initial step to avoid writers’ block and have a
checklist of what elements you need to include. Notice what it’s missing too.

31. Strategy 2: Your personal proof-editor
Ask ChatGPT to improve the clarity of your writing. This is an abstract that I
first wrote manually:
“This paper presents new ways to imagine and carry out creative pedagogies that use robots to teach socio-
technical topics. The paper presents key theoretical and methodological ideas that informed a project co-designed
in partnership with teachers and learners from Manurewa High School. This project portrays a speculative story of
an affable humanoid robot who shares its goal of running for Mayor of the city of Auckland in Aotearoa New
Zealand and asks children for advice on how to prepare for this future role. The findings from this case study are
organised around three main themes: suspending disbelief, powerful questions, and breaking the fourth wall. A
discussion around learning using digital technologies more creatively and more critically closes the paper. The
appropriateness of robots for creative and dialogic learning call for the participation of learners and teachers in
playful co-creation activities that transgress the conventional roles and scripts in the classroom and the curriculum”

32. Strategy 2: Your personal proof-editor
“This paper introduces innovative approaches to envision and implement creative pedagogies that utilize robots as
teaching tools for socio-technical subjects. The study presents fundamental theoretical and methodological
concepts that guided a collaborative project conducted in partnership with educators and students from Manurewa
High School. In this project, an endearing humanoid robot is portrayed engaging in a speculative narrative, aspiring
to run for the position of Mayor in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. The robot seeks advice from children on how
to prepare for this prospective role. The case study findings are categorized into three primary themes: suspending
disbelief, powerful questioning, and breaking the fourth wall. Furthermore, the paper concludes with a discussion
on fostering more creative and critical approaches to learning with digital technologies. It highlights the significance
of robots in facilitating imaginative and interactive learning experiences, emphasizing the need for learners and
teachers to engage in collaborative co-creation activities that challenge traditional roles and scripts within the
classroom and curriculum”
And this is ChatGPT’s improved version. Is it better? How? Are there
elements here that I can use to change my abstract? It got some things
wrong (socio-technical subjects) but I do like some of its grammar.
Regenerate response to see some other variants.

33. Strategy 3: Translate
Write a paragraph or two using your natural everyday words to organize your
ideas and then ask ChatGPT to translate it into academic English. This was
my input:
Rewrite this paragraph in academic English: "This paper is about the fundamental differences between designers
and artisans in Mexico, and how design schools could change in the twenty first century to better prepare designers
to work more respectfully and effectively with local artisans. The paper starts by analysing the origins of design as a
profession in Mexico in the 1960s to identify how the education of designers is geared towards servicing industry
rather than working with local handcraft experts. The paper presents a three-part case study based on projects that
I conducted in partnership with three communities to identify where the gaps are and to suggest how could design
education be transformed in the future.”

34. Strategy 3: Translate
“This paper examines the inherent disparities between designers and artisans in Mexico and proposes potential
modifications to design education in the twenty-first century to enhance designers' ability to collaborate with local
artisans in a more respectful and effective manner. The analysis commences by tracing the historical development
of design as a profession in Mexico during the 1960s, with a particular focus on identifying the predominant
educational orientation towards servicing industrial sectors rather than engaging with local experts in traditional
craftsmanship. Subsequently, the paper presents a comprehensive three-part case study, based on collaborative
projects undertaken in partnership with three distinct communities. The primary objective of this case study is to
pinpoint existing gaps within the current framework and provide suggestions for the future transformation of design
education.”
And this is ChatGPT’s “translation”. Is it better? I do think that it’s a mixed
bag but clearly has some improvements in what examiners and reviewers
expect to see in an academic output.

35. Warning!
Be careful! LLMs can be inaccurate and are well-
known to lie (“hallucinate”). Don’t trust them,
especially when it comes to references in the
literature and facts. They simply build sentences
that make sense, so they are coherent but may be
false!

36. Example prompt: Give me a list of five research papers where
robots have been used to teach topics of humanities and social
science to students in high school. Results (all sound very
interesting but are fake!):
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Brown, K. (2018). Engaging Students in Humanities through Robot-
Mediated Learning: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Educational Technology and Society.
Garcia, M., Lopez, S., & Rodriguez, A. (2020). Exploring the Role of Robots in Social Science
Education: A Case Study in High School Classrooms. Computers & Education.
Thompson, R., Martinez, E., & Davis, P. (2019). Robots as Facilitators in High School History
Classes: Enhancing Student Engagement and Critical Thinking. Educational Technology Research
and Development.
Chen, L., Wang, Y., & Liu, H. (2017). Robot-Assisted Learning in High School Psychology
Education: A Comparative Study. Computers in Human Behavior.
Kim, S., Park, H., & Lee, J. (2016). Humanities Education through Robot Guides: A Case Study in
High School Literature Classes. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.