A study on the awareness of artificial intelligence as an essential research tool among IIUM postgraduate

Abstract

 This study examined awareness and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic research among postgraduate students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Using a cross-sectional survey and purposive sampling, data from 203 respondents were analysed in SPSS within a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) framework. Overall AI awareness was moderate (M = 3.63, SD = 0.44). Respondents reported the greatest concern about data privacy and security (M = 3.97), followed by unclear plagiarism guidelines (M = 3.64) and budget constraints (M = 3.63). The most strongly endorsed strategies were library-provided access to AI tools (M = 4.56), clear guidance on AI use and plagiarism (M = 4.54), and AI tutorials and ethics-focused workshops (M = 4.47). ChatGPT was the most commonly used tool (92.6%). The findings indicate that universities and academic libraries should combine access, training, ethical guidance, and data-governance support to promote responsible and effective AI use in postgraduate research.