Introducing ChatGPT in Undergraduate Research among Nursing Students: A Quasi- experimental Study

Background: ChatGPT has demonstrated potential in assisting nursing students with research, particularly in literature reviews and data analysis. However, its integration presents challenges related to algorithmic bias, data privacy, and reliance on AI over human expertise. Aim: This study investigates the impact of ChatGPT training on the research skills, attitudes, and knowledge of undergraduate nursing students.. Design: A quasi-experimental design, pre-and-post-test design with two groups. Setting: The study was conducted in an in an autonmous accredited private College of Nursing, in the Philippines during the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants: Forty undergraduate nursing students randomly assigned to a intervention group (n=20) receiving ChatGPT training and a maintenance group (n=20) with no training. Methods: A 45-minute ChatGPT training session was provided to the intervention group. Pre-test and post-test assessments measured research skills, attitudes, and knowledge. Independent samples t-tests analyzed group differences. Findings: The study, which included 40 undergraduate nursing students, revealed significant improvements in specific research skills in the intervention group post-intervention (p < 0.05). The pre-test mean score for these skills in the intervention group was 3.24 (SD = 0.25) and increased to 4.48 (SD = 0.51) post-test. Knowledge scores increased in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.889). Attitudes towards ChatGPT did not significantly change post-intervention, with pre-test and post-test scores showing no significant difference (p = 0.767). Conclusions: ChatGPT training enhances specific research skills among nursing students. Future studies should explore long-term effects and broader applications in nursing education.