| Library resources | Google search results | Generative AI results | |
| Can I find scholarly articles here? | Yes | Sometimes--you'll also get a lot of other types of information (websites, blogs, etc.) | Sometimes, but be careful--AI tools can create something that looks like article information, but the "article" listed doesn't actually exist. |
| Can I find news articles here? | Yes | Sometimes--some newspapers put their articles behind paywalls, and you can't access them without a subscription. | Sometimes, but be careful--AI tools can create something that looks like article information, but the "article" listed doesn't actually exist. |
| Can I use these tools to brainstorm paper ideas or keywords for searches? | Yes--you can see what articles exist about your topic and use that to guide you. | Yes--there may be reliable sources you find on the open web that can help you come up with a topic (but be careful of misinformation!) | Yes--you can ask AI for potential keywords or topics, and use that as a starting point for your own work. |
5729 Fogler Library · University of Maine · Orono, ME 04469-5729 | (207) 581-1673