Assessing the Transformative Influence of ChatGPT on Research Practices among Scholars in Pakistan

This article investigates the transformative impact of ChatGPT on research practices within the scholarly community in Pakistan. ChatGPT, a powerful AI language model, has added significant consideration for its possibility of improving academic research. Survey data was gathered via a structured questionnaire distributed to researchers in Pakistan. A total of 278 questionnaires were distributed for the randomly chosen sample, of which 223 were returned. For calculating descriptive statistics, SPSS was utilized.  Results of the study indicated that 90% of scholars are familiar with the practice of ChatGPT in research activities. 86% of scholars used 3.5 (Basic version) of ChatGPT for their research and only 14% used 4 (Plus version) of ChatGPT for their research work. The overall satisfaction level was 46% response satisfied with the usage of ChatGPT in research activities. The article discusses how ChatGPT's natural language processing capabilities have advanced literature reviews, data analysis, and content generation, thereby saving time and fostering greater productivity. Moreover, it examines how the tool’s accessibility and affordability have democratized research, making it more inclusive and open to a broader range of scholars. By shedding light on these critical aspects, this article provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of research practices in Pakistan and highlights the potential for ChatGPT to revolutionize academic scholarship in the digital age.