FFC Library Instruction

Fall 2025

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Research Demo topic

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“How can Indigenous climate knowledge help guide climate resilience?”

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Note: this topic supports Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on the Environment and Building Resilient Futures, Fall 2025

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SIFT

Investigate the Source (the publisher)

“About” page?

Wikipedia

Independent sites to rate bias and reliability

• Example: Mediabiasfactcheck - Grist

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Investigate the source (the author)

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Questions to ask yourself:

• What are this author's credentials on the subject?
• Do they specialize in this topic?

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Places to look:

• Bio on website
• Google
• Google Scholar
• Social media

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Find Trusted Coverage

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Can you find reliable sources to corroborate the facts from this article?

• Major newspapers? Trustworthy institutions' websites?

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If a story is true, it’s likely to be reported by more than one source. Find one that is trustworthy.

• Examples: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Associated Press, Reuters.

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Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to Their Original Context

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Questions to consider:

• What are the original sources in the story and the stated facts?
• Are the quotes from reliable people?
• Are there links to verify statistics or reports?
• Remember, a trustworthy news site will make it clear where the facts come from.

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AI Literacy

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How can PantherAI help in our research?

Log in to PantherAI here: https://pantherai.chapman.edu/

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AI Literacy - Quick review

• Generative AI works by probability and statistics; it generates text that sounds convincing, but it’s not the same as human reasoning.
• Generative AI tools like ChatGPT generate responses based on patterns in data.
• That’s why AI is best used for assistance in aiding your thinking rather than answering your questions. For that, you should instead rely on reliable sources.
• Used thoughtfully, generative AI tools can act like a tutor or an assistant.
• But you have to keep yourself at the center of the learning and thinking processes.

Discussion - Generative AI

• Show of hands: how many of you have tried using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini?�
• How can students use AI effectively as an aid for their learning?�
• What are some ways to avoid using AI as a student?

Context

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Examples

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Specific

Output

Request

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Tips - AI as a research tool

• Don’t over-rely on AI to write for you.
• Use better ways to find sources (e.g., the library) rather than AI.
• Don’t assume AI is always right.
• Remember what AI researcher Ethan Mollick said:
• “AI doesn't damage our brains, but unthinking use can damage our thinking. What's at stake isn't our neurons but our habits of mind.”
• Source: Mollick, E. (2025, January 26). Against “Brain Damage” [Substack newsletter]. One Useful Thing. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/against-brain-damage
• The key is to use it as a tool, not as a replacement for your learning.

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Research Quest Topics

1 - Corporate greenwashing schemes by businesses�

2 - Environmental (environment*) delay, inaction, and denial contributions to the climate crisis�

3 - Fossil-fuel companies’ ties with politics and anti-environmentalism�

4 - Barriers to fully transitioning to renewable energy in the United States�

5 - Efforts in climate policy in California communities

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6 - Relationship of urban agriculture on sustainability (sustainab*)�

7 - Environmental refugees from Indigenous villages�

8 - Lasting effects and lessons from recent wildfires in California�