Academic AI in practice

What We’re Learning From Student Use of Chat With The Document in ProQuest Research Assistant

As libraries adapt to the growing presence of AI in research and learning, understanding how students actually use these tools is essential. This whitepaper explores what we’re learning from student interactions with Chat with the Document when AI is embedded directly within trusted scholarly content.

Rather than operating as a standalone chatbot, Chat with the Document is designed to support students as they read, evaluate and work through academic sources inside ProQuest Research Assistant. The report offers practical context for conversations about responsible AI use, student engagement and research behaviors in real academic settings.

In this whitepaper, you’ll explore:

• • How students use document-centered AI during the research process
  • Why grounding AI in full text matters for comprehension and evaluation
  • What student questions reveal about common research challenges
  • How design choices shape responsible academic AI use

Learn how ProQuest Research Assistant supports deeper engagement with trusted sources.