Professor Tivani Mashamba-Thompson and Ms Anwani Nekhumbe have developed a detailed guide on the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health sciences, specifically aimed at postgraduate students at the University of Pretoria. As AI becomes an integral part of research and academic work, we encourage all students to read these guidelines carefully to ensure they are using AI tools responsibly and effectively. Read the full guide below:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising fields like health sciences, where it plays a crucial role in research, data analysis, and academic writing. For postgraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), the responsible use of AI is not only an ethical duty but also an invaluable tool for enhancing research quality and accelerating new knowledge production. This guide outlines key principles for responsible AI usage and introduces various software tools offered by the FHS's Research Support Hub, the Department of Library services, the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI), and School-based resources to support your research journey.

What does responsible AI use mean?

Responsible AI use involves utilising its capabilities while upholding integrity, transparency, and accuracy in your academic work. AI tools can assist with tasks such as data analysis, literature reviews, and manuscript preparation. However, it’s crucial to avoid over-reliance on these tools. AI should supplement, not substitute, your critical thinking and the research skills you have developed throughout your postgraduate studies.

In the health sciences, special attention must be given to ethical considerations, particularly when working with sensitive patient data. AI tools should be used in ways that protect privacy, ensure accuracy, and avoid biases in your research findings. While AI can process large datasets efficiently, human judgment remains essential in interpreting results and making informed decisions. Before adopting any new AI tool, it is important to consult the University of Pretoria’s relevant policies and guidelines to ensure that the tool aligns with university guidelines. This helps to prevent potential misuse or reliance on AI technologies that have not been adequately vetted for academic and ethical standards. Using unverified or amateur AI tools may pose risks such as inaccurate data interpretation or breaches of academic integrity.

Tools to support your research

To assist postgraduate students, the University of Pretoria provides a variety of software tools that enhance research and academic writing. These are available through the FHS’s Research Support Hub, Department of Library services, and DRI:

• Stata (via the FHS Research Support Hub): A powerful tool for data analysis, management, and visualisation. Stata is ideal for working with large datasets and performing statistical analysis efficiently, handling both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Covidence (via the FHS Research Support Hub): This software simplifies the systematic review process by managing data screening, extraction, and quality assessment. It supports collaboration with supervisors and research teams, ensuring transparency in conducting evidence-based research.
• Paperpal (via the FHS Research Support Hub): An AI-driven academic writing assistant that enhances clarity, grammar, and style in research manuscripts. Paperpal should be used to refine writing but not to generate content or replace original thought.
• EndNote (through the Department of Library services): A reference management tool that simplifies organising citations and creating accurate bibliographies, saving time during the writing process.
• Atlas.ti (via DRI): Essential for qualitative research, this software helps students code, analyse, and visualise qualitative data, uncovering insights from complex datasets.

School-specific software

Each School within the Faculty of Health Sciences provides software tailored to the needs of
its specific academic programs. Postgraduate students are encouraged to consult their School
RESCOM Chairs to access tools that are relevant to their field of study.

In addition to the aforementioned tools, a wide range of AI tools is available, with varying degrees of effectiveness. While some are highly reliable, others may fall short of the standards required in a high-quality academic setting. Supervisors and students should use all AI tools judiciously, adhering to UP policies and guidelines to uphold the integrity of the research and postgraduate degrees awarded by the Faculty of Health Sciences at UP.

The responsible use of AI in health sciences research is not only an ethical requirement but also an opportunity to enhance the quality and impact of your work. By utilising the AIpowered tools made available by the Faculty, students can streamline their research processes and improve the depth of their analysis. However, always balance AI use with critical thinking and ethical considerations, ensuring technology complements your expertise and judgment as a researcher. Additionally, referring to the relevant UP policies ensures that any AI tool used is in line with institutional guidelines, safeguarding academic integrity and research quality.