Using AI for Research

How to write an effective research prompt for generative AI

Writing effective research prompts for ChatGPT can improve the quality and relevance of the responses you receive.

Here’s a beginner’s guide to help you create impactful research prompts:

1. Be Clear and Specific:
   • Clearly state your question or topic of interest.
   • Provide as much detail as possible to help the model understand your intent.
2. Use Complete Sentences:
   • Phrase your prompts as complete sentences for better comprehension.
   • Instead of fragments, write full questions or statements.
3. Specify the Desired Format:
   • Clearly indicate if you want a list, paragraph, summary, or other specific format for the response.
   • Guide the model by specifying the depth or scope you’re interested in.
4. Provide Context:
   • Offer relevant background information to help the model understand the context of your query.
5. Ask One Thing at a Time:
   • Break down complex questions into smaller, more manageable parts.
   • This helps avoid confusion and ensures more focused responses.
6. Avoid Ambiguity:
   • Use concrete terms and avoid vague or ambiguous language.
   • If your question can be interpreted in multiple ways, clarify your intent.
7. Include Examples and use keywords:
   • Provide examples to illustrate your point or specify the type of information you’re looking for.
   • Incorporate key terms that are crucial to your query to guide the model’s understanding.
8. Iterate and Revise:
   • If you’re not getting the desired response, iterate on your prompt.
   • Experiment with different phrasings until you find what works best.