Assessing the Determinants of Faculty Acceptance of Generative AI in Research Practices

Generative AI (GenAI), specifically ChatGPT, is a unique technology developed by OpenAI that holds significant potential to assist users, including faculty, in addressing their queries. One particularly intriguing and valuable feature is its ability to support users in their research practices. The academe demonstrates varying opinions regarding the use of the tool, with faculty perceiving its ability to make the education system toward utopian or dystopian outcomes. One glaring situation is faculty acceptance of integrating AI with their research practices. Such spectrum is not widely researched, therefore served a research gap. This study focuses to assess the determinants that influence faculty researchers to integrate GenAI in their research workflows and to determine the level of faculty acceptance regarding the use of the tool in their research practices. It incorporates the use of descriptive and inferential statistics, including an open-ended question for validation purposes. Through the framework of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Fred Davis, the statistical treatments, and the thematic analysis made, it has found out that “perceived usefulness” (PU), to a greater extent, and “perceived ease of use” (PEOU) indicate a higher possibility of adopting the use of GenAI among faculty researchers. It suggests that faculty are generally favorable in the integration of the technology, however, should be dealt with great caution by implementing clear policy guidelines.