Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion

Sherri L Turner; Arshia A Khan; Anne Hinderliter; Yagna Manasa Boyapati

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24

Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion

Sherri L Turner
, Arshia A Khan
, Anne Hinderliter
, Yagna Manasa Boyapati

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

This paper examines the integration of ChatGPT as a scaffolding tool in a graduate research design course within a counselor education curriculum. As AI continues to shape higher education, ChatGPT offers an interactive resource for refining research skills, enhancing writing proficiency, and improving engagement with complex academic material. Research links AI tools, including ChatGPT, to improved academic performance, motivation, and higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. However, practical guidance on integrating ChatGPT into research and thesis preparation remains limited. Thus, we provide a case example that explores how ChatGPT supports students by helping them synthesize key concepts, articulate theoretical frameworks, and refine their research and writing. While ChatGPT does not replace traditional research methodologies or faculty mentorship, it serves as an adaptive tool that can enhance student learning and research efficiency. Future studies should examine ChatGPT’s role in fostering student self-efficacy, motivation, and satisfaction while maintaining academic integrity.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	AI Revolution
Subtitle of host publication	Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Hamid R. Arabnia, Leonidas Deligiannidis, Soheyla Amirian, Farid Ghareh Mohammadi, Farzan Shenavarmasouleh
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages	301-308
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Print)	9783032123121
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24
State	Published - 2026
Event	International Conference on the AI Revolution: Research, Ethics, and Society, AIR-RES 2025 - Las Vegas, United States Duration: Apr 14 2025 → Apr 16 2025

Publication series

Name	Communications in Computer and Information Science
Volume	2721 CCIS
ISSN (Print)	1865-0929
ISSN (Electronic)	1865-0937

Conference

Conference	International Conference on the AI Revolution: Research, Ethics, and Society, AIR-RES 2025
Country/Territory	United States
City	Las Vegas
Period	4/14/25 → 4/16/25

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

Keywords

ChatGPT
Graduate Research
Higher Education

Publisher link

10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24

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Cite this

Turner, S. L., Khan, A. A., Hinderliter, A., & Boyapati, Y. M. (2026). Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion. In H. R. Arabnia, L. Deligiannidis, S. Amirian, F. Ghareh Mohammadi, & F. Shenavarmasouleh (Eds.), AI Revolution: Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings (pp. 301-308). (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2721 CCIS). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24

Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion. / Turner, Sherri L ; Khan, Arshia A ; Hinderliter, Anne et al.
AI Revolution: Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Hamid R. Arabnia; Leonidas Deligiannidis; Soheyla Amirian; Farid Ghareh Mohammadi; Farzan Shenavarmasouleh. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026. p. 301-308 (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2721 CCIS).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Turner, SL , Khan, AA , Hinderliter, A & Boyapati, YM 2026, Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion. in HR Arabnia, L Deligiannidis, S Amirian, F Ghareh Mohammadi & F Shenavarmasouleh (eds), AI Revolution: Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol. 2721 CCIS, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, pp. 301-308, International Conference on the AI Revolution: Research, Ethics, and Society, AIR-RES 2025, Las Vegas, United States, 4/14/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24

Turner SL , Khan AA , Hinderliter A, Boyapati YM. Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion. In Arabnia HR, Deligiannidis L, Amirian S, Ghareh Mohammadi F, Shenavarmasouleh F, editors, AI Revolution: Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. 2026. p. 301-308. (Communications in Computer and Information Science). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-12313-8_24

Turner, Sherri L ; Khan, Arshia A ; Hinderliter, Anne et al. / Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT : Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion. AI Revolution: Research, Ethics and Society - International Conference, AIR-RES 2025, Proceedings. editor / Hamid R. Arabnia ; Leonidas Deligiannidis ; Soheyla Amirian ; Farid Ghareh Mohammadi ; Farzan Shenavarmasouleh. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026. pp. 301-308 (Communications in Computer and Information Science).

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Teaching Research Design with ChatGPT: Supporting M.A. Students in Their Group Capstone/Thesis Completion

Abstract

Publication series

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Bibliographical note

Keywords

Publisher link

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