Enhancing Research Capabilities in Teaching and Learning: The Transformative Impact of ChatGPT

This research examines the influence of ChatGPT on the development of investigative competencies in students of regular basic education, focusing on three main aspects: its role in information retrieval, its contribution to generating accurate and relevant content, and its usability in fostering investigative skills. An experimental design was applied to a sample of 100 students, divided into an experimental group (n = 50) that utilized ChatGPT and a control group (n = 50) that relied on conventional methods. The students developed research projects assessed according to six key criteria: coherence, precision, originality, content depth, problem-solving ability, and source management. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses indicated that the experimental group outperformed the control group in coherence (3.6 vs. 2.8), precision (3.4 vs. 2.6), and originality (3.4 vs. 2.8). Nevertheless, the control group excelled in source management (3.4 vs. 2.2), implying that traditional methodologies remain more effective in handling bibliographic references. In terms of content depth and problem-solving ability, both groups performed similarly, with a slight advantage observed in the experimental group. In summary, ChatGPT enhances students' coherence, precision, and originality in research tasks. However, integrating it with traditional methods is advised to improve source management and ensure a well-rounded development of investigative skills, fostering ethical and responsible use of technology.