Lecturers’ Perceptions and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Research and Assessment Practices in Public Tertiary Institutions in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the driving forces behind the 4.0 industrial revolution. AI is an innovation that brought about sustainable development in education in the area of teaching, learning, research and assessment. The aim of this study is to examine the lecturers’ perceptions and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and assessment practices in tertiary institutions in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 954 academic staff in the three (3) Federal Government owned tertiary institutions in Zamfara State. The sample size of the study is 253 academic staff selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection is a researcher designed questionnaire termed “Perceptions and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Assessment Practices Questionnaire (PUAIRAPQ)”. Both face and content validity of the instrument were established, and the internal consistency of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha method with a reliability index of .79 which shows that the instrument was reliable. The Data collected was analyzed using descriptive of Weighted Mean and Standard Deviation. The results of the findings among others shows that lecturers perceived Artificial Intelligence (AI) as tools that optimize research design and methodology, improved research quality. and enhances the validity and reliability of assessments. It also revealed low utilization of AI tools in research and assessment practices among lecturers of public tertiary institutions in Zamfara State. The study recommends further efforts and initiatives by the institutions to promote the effective implementation of AI tools in research and assessment practices.