Lecturer Readiness for the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Academic Research: A Descriptive Survey Study

Abstract

Lecturer readiness for the utilization of artificial intelligence tools in academic research was investigated in this study. This study investigated the readiness of lecturers in the Colleges of Education in Kwara State to adopt and employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for research activities. It also explores dimensions such as technological readiness, institutional support, and main barriers perceive by the facilitators. The study adopts a descriptive survey research design in order to address the research problems. Population comprised lecturers from the three government owned colleges of education in Kwara State. Data collection instruments included a validated questionnaire with reliability through a pilot study yielding a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.82. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean) were applied to analyses the quantitative data collected for research questions. The findings of the study for research question one to four reveal that the lecturers’ level of awareness of AI research tools is moderately low, lecturers’ technical competence in utilizing AI tools is generally low, institutional support for AI integration is also moderately low and challenges such as lack of training and fear of technology replacing intellectual input and ethical concerns are the major challenges. The paper concludes with recommendations that colleges of education should enhance AI use in research through training, reliable infrastructure, clear policies, industry partnerships, and embedding AI literacy in postgraduate methodology courses for lecturers and future researchers.