ChatGPT Prompts for Research

Create a structured literature review outline for the research question: [question].
Include: introduction (scope + method), 5 thematic sections with key papers/arguments per section, synthesis, gaps in literature, and conclusion.
Target length: [length].

Generate 5 testable research hypotheses for studying [topic] in the context of [field].
For each: null hypothesis (H0), alternative hypothesis (H1), suggested methodology, potential confounders, and how the result would advance the field.

Design a 15-question survey to study [research topic].
Target respondents: [population]. Mix: 5 Likert scale, 5 multiple choice, 3 open-ended, 2 ranking.
Avoid: leading questions, double-barreled questions, loaded language. Include an intro and consent statement.

Create a semi-structured interview guide for researching [topic].
Participants: [participant type]. Duration: 45–60 min.
Include: intro script, 5 core questions with 2 probes each, closing, informed consent language, and a recording permission note.

Write a data analysis plan for a study on [topic].
Data collected: [data types]. Research questions: [questions].
Include: descriptive statistics to run, inferential tests to use (with justification), software ([R/Python/SPSS]), and how to handle missing data.

Write a 250-word academic abstract for a study on [topic].
Background: [1–2 sentences]. Objective: [objective]. Method: [method]. Results: [results]. Conclusion + implication: [conclusion].
Follow [APA/Nature/Vancouver] style.

Analyse these references and identify the core theoretical frameworks being used:
[reference list or paper excerpts]
Group papers by: theoretical tradition, methodology, time period, and geographic focus. Identify: the most influential papers and under-cited perspectives.

Based on this literature summary, identify the research gaps:
[summary of existing research]
List 5 specific gaps, for each: describe what's missing, why it matters, what type of study would address it, and how it builds on existing work.

Draft a systematic review protocol for: [review question].
Include: PICO/PICOS framework, inclusion/exclusion criteria, database search strategy (keywords + Boolean operators for [databases]), data extraction fields, quality assessment tool, and synthesis method.

Help me choose the right statistical test for this research scenario:
Variables: [variables + types]. Design: [between/within subjects]. Sample size: [n]. Normality assumption: [met/unmet].
Recommend 1 primary test + 1 alternative. Explain assumptions, when each is appropriate, and how to report results.

Develop a qualitative coding scheme for analysing interview data on [topic].
Provide: 3 top-level categories, 4–5 codes per category, operational definition for each code, inclusion/exclusion rules, and 2 example quotes per code.
Method: thematic analysis.

Design an experiment to test whether [independent variable] affects [dependent variable].
Include: hypothesis, participant selection, control vs experimental conditions, procedure, operationalisation of variables, ethical considerations, and a power analysis recommendation.

Summarise the findings from these studies as if writing a meta-analysis section:
[study results list]
Calculate a narrative summary of effect sizes, identify moderators, discuss heterogeneity, and state the overall conclusion with appropriate caveats.

Write a 300-word abstract for a conference paper presenting [research/project] at [conference name].
Include: problem significance, novelty of approach, method, key findings, and contribution to the field.
Conform to [conference theme].

Write a 2-page research proposal for [proposed study].
Sections: problem statement, significance, literature review (5 key sources), research questions, methodology, timeline, budget estimate, and expected contributions.
Audience: [grant committee/thesis committee].

Perform a discourse analysis of the following text:
[text]
Analyse: what ideological assumptions are embedded, whose perspective is centred/marginalised, what rhetorical devices are used, power relationships implied, and what the text constructs as "normal" or "natural".

Create a structured field notes template for ethnographic research in [setting].
Sections: setting description, participants present, observed interactions, researcher reactions/interpretations, emerging themes, verbatim quotes, and follow-up questions.
Design for 1-hour observations.

Assess the ethical considerations for this research study: [study description].
Check against: informed consent, anonymity/confidentiality, data storage, participant harm, power dynamics, researcher bias, reporting obligations, and cultural sensitivity.
Flag any red flags.

Evaluate the credibility of this source: [source title + URL/description].
Apply the CRAAP test: Currency (date), Relevance, Authority (author credentials), Accuracy (citations, evidence), Purpose (why it was written).
Overall rating: High/Medium/Low credibility with justification.

Write an annotated bibliography entry for:
Citation: [full citation]
Include: 1 sentence on the source's main argument, 2 sentences on methodology/evidence, 1 sentence on strengths/limitations, and 1 sentence on relevance to my research on [topic].

Design a mixed-methods study to investigate [topic].
Phase 1: Quantitative (explain method, measures, analysis).
Phase 2: Qualitative (explain how it explains/expands phase 1 findings).
Integration: how and when data will be mixed. Diagram description included.

Write a focus group moderator guide for exploring [topic] with [participant type].
Duration: 90 minutes. Group size: 6–8.
Include: welcome script, warm-up activity, 6 discussion questions with probes, ground rules, closing exercise, and debrief note.

Identify the best secondary data sources for researching [topic] in [country/region].
For each source: organisation, data type, time range, access (free/paid), URL, and any known limitations.
Target: 8–10 sources across government, academic, commercial, and NGO providers.

Write a poster abstract for the study: [study summary].
Conference: [conference]. Word limit: 250. Sections: background, objective, methods, results, conclusion.
Make it visually scannable: use sentence fragments for bullets where appropriate.

Write the project narrative section for a [grant name] application for the project: [project title].
Amount requested: [amount]. Duration: [duration].
Sections: significance, innovation, approach, team qualifications, broader impact. Max [word limit] words.

Critically evaluate the following study for methodological strengths and weaknesses:
[study abstract or description]
Assess: research design, sample, measurement validity, confounds, statistical approach, generalisability, and author conclusions vs what the data actually support.

Write a trend analysis report on [topic] in [industry/field].
Time frame: [years]. Data sources: [sources].
Sections: current state, 3 key trends, drivers of each trend, implications for [stakeholder], and 3 scenarios for the next 5 years.

Write a 2-page policy brief on [issue] for [policymaker audience].
Sections: executive summary (4 sentences), problem statement, evidence (3 key findings), 3 policy options with pros/cons, recommendation, and implementation considerations.

Synthesise the knowledge from these 5 sources on [topic]:
[source list or summaries]
Identify: areas of consensus, areas of disagreement, methodological differences that explain disagreements, and 3 key insights that emerge only when sources are read together.

Write a constructive peer review for this manuscript: [paper title and abstract].
Structure: summary of contribution, major concerns (3–5 numbered), minor concerns (3–5), specific line edits, and overall recommendation (Accept/Minor/Major Revision/Reject) with justification.