Using Custom AI Tool to Support Novice Researchers’ Philosophy and Paradigm Decision-Making

Abstract

This study aimed to gain understanding of acceptance of the Research Philosophy Predictive (RPP) application by post graduate educators using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The RPP is a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) based model developed using machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP). The RPP was developed with the purpose of assisting post graduate students with determining a research philosophy most aligned with their personal worldviews, beliefs and assumptions about the natures of reality and knowledge. It was pertinent to understand the adoption of the RPP from a teaching perspective. The UTAUT model, widely used for evaluating technology acceptance, was used as a theoretical framework in the current study through qualitative inquiry. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews from South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) rated educators from three universities in Gauteng province of South Africa. The UTAUT determinants of technology acceptance in the study are effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, social Influence and behavioural intention to use. Findings of the study revealed that positive feedback from educators in various research fields.