Artificial Intelligence in Social Science Research: A Guide to Ethical AI-Assisted Research in 7 Ste

Artificial Intelligence in Social Science Research: A Guide to Ethical AI-Assisted Research in 7 Steps by Apeksha Bhatnagar offers a clear, thoughtful, and methodologically grounded approach to using artificial intelligence in social science research-without compromising ethics, originality, or scholarly rigour.
As AI tools rapidly enter the academic ecosystem, researchers are increasingly expected to adapt-often without clear guidance on how far is too far. This book responds to that uncertainty by presenting a structured seven-step framework that integrates AI into the research lifecycle while keeping the researcher firmly in control.
Rather than promoting AI as a replacement for human judgment, this book treats AI as a supportive research aid-useful for refining research questions, navigating literature, designing methodologies, organising data, assisting analysis, and improving academic writing-when used responsibly.
Grounded in the norms of social science research, the book highlights:

• Ethical boundaries of AI use in academic work
• Transparency, accountability, and citation practices
• Risks of bias, hallucination, and over-automation
• The importance of critical thinking and theoretical grounding

Written in an accessible yet scholarly tone, the book is particularly relevant for:

• PhD scholars and postgraduate students
• Early-career researchers and faculty members
• Research supervisors and methodology instructors
• Institutions and journals addressing AI ethics

This guide does not offer shortcuts or automated solutions. Instead, it equips readers with the clarity, discipline, and ethical awareness needed to engage with AI thoughtfully and responsibly in research.
Artificial Intelligence in Social Science Research is an essential companion for scholars navigating the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and social science inquiry.