Abstract
This study examined the utilisation of AI chatbots for academic research among university lecturers in Kwara State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated lecturers' level of awareness of AI chatbots, their patterns of utilisation for research activities, their perceived academic benefits, and the challenges they encounter in the process. A descriptive correlational survey design was employed, with a target population of 1,842 lecturers drawn from three universities the University of Ilorin (federal), Kwara State University, Malete (state), and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin (private). Using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table, a sample of 317 lecturers was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-designed and validated instrument, the Utilisation of AI Chatbots for Academic Research Questionnaire (UACARQ), which demonstrated high reliability with Cronbach's alpha coefficients above 0.80. A total of 296 valid responses were returned, representing a 93% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, namely mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that lecturers demonstrated a high level of awareness of AI chatbots, with ChatGPT identified as the most widely recognised and utilised platform. Lecturers expressed strongly positive perceptions of the academic benefits of AI chatbots, particularly regarding time-saving, improved writing clarity, and enhanced productivity. The study concludes that AI chatbots are becoming integral to academic research workflows in Kwara State universities and recommends that institutions develop clear AI use policies, invest in targeted capacity-building for academic staff, and strengthen digital infrastructure to promote responsible and effective integration of AI in scholarly research.
Keywords: AI Chatbots, Academic Research, Artificial Intelligence, University Lecturers, Technology Adoption, Higher Education
Publication Date: 2026-05-03