Lecturers readiness to adopt ChatGPT for research in state universities in Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined lecturers’ readiness to adopt ChatGPT for research in state universities in Delta State. The specific objectives were to determine the extent of lecturers’ readiness, investigate lecturers’ willingness to adopt the tool, and examine the challenges associated with its adoption for research purposes. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 955 lecturers from four state universities in Delta State, out of which a sample of 286 lecturers was selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire entitled “Lecturers’ Readiness to Adopt ChatGPT for research in State Universities in Delta State Questionnaire (LRACRUQ)”. Descriptive statistics were used to answer the research questions, while hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that lecturers exhibited a moderate level of readiness to adopt ChatGPT for research, with variations in technical, psychological, and institutional readiness. Lecturers demonstrated a positive willingness to adopt. Some challenges were identified with the use of ChatGPT, including ethical concerns, fear of academic integrity violations, lack of institutional policies, and limited training opportunities. The study concluded that lecturers’ readiness significantly influences the adoption of ChatGPT for research in state universities in Delta State. It is, however, recommended that university management should develop clear institutional policies, provide regular training, and establish ethical guidelines to promote responsible and effective integration of ChatGPT into academic research.