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Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is profoundly transforming the research field, with many researchers embracing its potential to enhance their work. However, the integration of GenAI into research practices still presents non-negligible challenges. To address these critical issues and better understand the current state of GenAI use in research, we conducted a systematic review focusing on GenAI-assisted research in the social sciences area and screened 8 831 relevant articles, of which 126 were retained for in-depth analysis. Our findings reveal that GenAI has been widely adopted in empirical studies across various social science domains, demonstrating its value in supporting research processes, such as conceptualization and research design, data collection and analysis, and writing and editing. Drawing on insights from existing practices, we developed a guideline for the academic community to support the development of a broader consensus on GenAI-assisted research practices, particularly in the field of education. This guideline aims to better regulate and leverage the potential of GenAI in research, ensuring its ethical and effective application.
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Luo et al. (2026) studied this question.
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