2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Work in Progress: Exploring the impact of Generative AI on Information Seeking Behavior of Engineering Students

Presented at Engineering Libraries Division (ELD) Technical Session 4

The user and application base of generative AI tools has seen tremendous growth over the past year. In response, numerous papers have been published evaluating how capable such tools are within certain disciplines. This work in progress aims to shift from evaluating generative AI tools’ capabilities to exploring how such tools impact the information seeking behaviors of their users. Specifically, the paper focuses on the impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT on the information seeking behavior of engineering students. The paper presents data from a survey of engineering students. In addition, the paper provides the methodology and preliminary data from a structured interview where participants will use ChatGPT to address a multifaceted problem concerning the Grand Challenges for Engineering.

Authors

Prof. Matthew Frenkel http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6883-1105 New York University [biography]

Matthew Frenkel is the engineering librarian at NYU's Bern Dibner Library, and affiliated faculty in Mechanical Engineering at NYU Tandon. He is a member of the ASEE Engineering librarian division (ELD). Matthew's background is in the experimental study of optical whispering gallery sensors. His current interests are focused on professional skill development and teaching practices.
Hebah Emara New York University
Amanda He http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4869-7903 New York University
Lindsay Anderberg New York University [biography]

Lindsay Anderberg is the archivist and user services librarian at New York University Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, New York. She received her MSLIS with a concentration in rare books and special collections from Long Island Universityâ€™s Pal
Mr. Samuel R. Putnam http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5521-4546 New York University

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