A ChatGPT Assisted Reading Protocol for Undergraduate Research Students

Area of Science:

• Biophysics education
• Scientific literacy

Background:

• Undergraduate students face significant challenges comprehending scientific literature, particularly in biophysics.
• Lack of familiarity with advanced concepts can lead to overwhelm and reduced engagement with research papers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a guided reading protocol to enhance undergraduate students' comprehension of biophysics literature.
• To investigate the utility of ChatGPT as an interactive tool for clarifying complex scientific concepts.

Main Methods:

• A guided reading protocol integrating pre-reading strategies, structured note-taking, and ChatGPT was implemented.
• Participants completed pre- and post-study surveys, and ChatGPT transcripts were analyzed using open coding.

Main Results:

• Most students reported limited regular engagement with scientific literature, citing content barriers.
• Analysis of ChatGPT transcripts revealed frequent requests for definitions, explanations, summaries, and simplifications.
• Students found the use of ChatGPT a positive experience and anticipate future use.

Conclusions:

• The developed guided reading protocol shows promise in mitigating discouragement among novice students reading scientific papers.
• This approach may enhance sustained engagement with current scientific literature for undergraduate learners.