Researching with Copilot

Copilot, unlike some other GenAI platforms, has the ability to link you to external web resources. At times, it will support its responses with resources, and you can ask it to find resources. In both cases, Copilot will provide references and links to the materials it synthesises or suggests. This means that it has the potential to help you find resources for your studies. Copilot differs from traditional academic databases in many ways and learning how to use it effectively for research will help you make the most of this tool.

Differences between Copilot and traditional databases

Copilot’s search features differ from traditional search engines and databases you may have used before. In particular, searching approaches differ significantly between academic databases and Copilot. While academic databases typically use structured searches with specific keywords and filters, Copilot relies on conversational style queries and natural language processing. Combine Copilot with academic databases to maximise the benefits of both. The table below outlines some of the differences.

It is important to remember that not all sources recommended by Copilot may be of an appropriate scholarly level for your studies. Crafting your prompt carefully can help. You can consider adding exclusions to your prompt (e.g. do not include wiki sites), however remember to always think critically about the sources Copilot recommends and ensure they are appropriate for your use case. Further, Copilot cannot access materials behind paywalls. Searching for journals and academic texts through Monash Library’s databases ensures you can access these resources.

Prompting Copilot for research

There are many useful applications for Copilot when researching. This can include helping you identify keywords for searching in academic databases, creating search strategies and even finding materials. Also, like many GenAI, repeating the same prompt can result in different responses. Experiment with running the same prompt multiple times to see what changes.

Click on the tabs below to find out more.

Copilot can help you identify keywords for searching in academic databases. Consider prompts like:

  • Give me keywords of semantic similarity to [insert topic]
  • Provide synonyms for [insert topic]
  • What other words could be used to describe [insert topic]?

Click on the hotspots below to find out more.


Copilot can assist with creating a search strategy, or string, for academic databases. The example below explores how you can use Copilot to build an effective search using keywords and Boolean connectors. You could then improve and refine your search using Copilot's follow-up questions or suggestions. Click on the hotspots to find out more.


Copilot has the ability to recommend sources in response to prompts. This may be helpful for finding materials, or asking Copilot to provide evidence for its responses. The examples below explore how changing your prompt to look for different types of resources can help you shape the types of materials Copilot recommends. This is important to consider as not all sources suggested may be suitable for your studies.


Citing and referencing

When Copilot recommends a source, it will provide a reference for it. Copilot does not follow a particular citing and referencing style. In its responses it uses its own endnote-like style, and often provides a bibliography (a list of all consulted sources), rather than a reference list (a list of cited sources). Click on the hotspots below to find out more.

Copilot can then convert these sources into references for you if you need. However, you always need to check if the information is correct. Click on the hotspot below to find out why.

Copilot can also help you format your reference list if you are having trouble applying a particular style. Remember to always cross check the recommendations from Copilot with the style guide to ensure that there are no errors. Also, as seen below, the more detail you can provide, the better. This feature is also impacted by paywalls that Copilot cannot see through, and so it cannot always access the required information.

Here Copilot has been asked to provide a reference in APA 7 for a source where only the ISBN is provided. It attempts to respond, however the book referenced in the first response is not correct. When prompted again, it is able to provide the correct article.

A screenshot of a conversation with Copilot. The user has asked for an APA 7 reference for a provided ISBN and inaccurately identified the text. The conversation is as follows. Prompt: Provide an APA 7 reference for this ebook ISBN: 9781315652597. Response: Sure! Here is the APA 7 reference for the ebook with ISBN: 9781315652597: Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher. DOI/URL For this specific ebook, the reference would be: Hughes, J. (2016). The digital scholar: How technology is transforming scholarly practice. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315652597 Further Prompt: Are you sure this is correct? I thought this was the ISBN for another book. Response:You are correct. I apologize for the mistake. The ISBN 9781315652597 corresponds to the book: Hall, T., & Barrett, H. (2018). Urban geography (5th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315652597 Thank you for pointing that out! If you need any more help with references or anything else, feel free to ask.

As seen below, the more information you can provide, the more accurate Copilot can be. If you are not sure you are using a referencing style correctly, consider asking for some feedback. Below, Copilot has been asked to assess the provided information and its alignment with APA 7 and is able to create an accurate APA 7 reference and provide feedback.

A screenshot of a conversation with Copilot. The user has asked: I was trying to write the following reference in APA 7 style. What mistakes have I made? Jensen, Ole B. ‘Flows of Meaning, Cultures of Movements – Urban Mobility as Meaningful Everyday Life Practice’. Mobilities 4, no. 1 (1 March 2009): 139–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/17450100802658002. Copilote has responded with:Let's take a look at your reference and compare it to the APA 7 style guidelines. Here are a few adjustments you can make: 1. Author's Name: In APA 7, the author's last name is followed by their initials. Correct Format: Jensen, O. B. 2. Title of the Article: Only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized. Also, the title should not be in single quotes. Correct Format: Flows of meaning, cultures of movements: Urban mobility as meaningful everyday life practice 3. Journal Title The journal title should be italicized and in title case. Correct Format Mobilities 4. Volume and Issue Number*: The volume number is italicized, but the issue number is not. Both are placed in parentheses. Correct Format: *4*(1) 5. Page Range: The page range should be included without any additional formatting. Correct Format: 139–158 6. DOI: The DOI should be presented as a hyperlink starting with "https://doi.org/" Correct Format: https://doi.org/10.1080/17450100802658002 Putting it all together, your reference in APA 7 style should look like this: Jensen, O. B. (2009). Flows of meaning, cultures of movements: Urban mobility as meaningful everyday life practice. *Mobilities, 4*(1), 139–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/17450100802658002 I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Note

If you are using generative artificial intelligence in your assessments, make certain that it is permitted for use, and allowed to be used in the way that you are using it. You will also need to acknowledge its use.

Evaluating Outputs

Outputs generated by Microsoft Copilot may contain biased, inaccurate or unreliable information. If you plan on using Copilot to assist in your research, it is your responsibility to assess and verify its outputs. You can do this by tracking down and evaluating the sources that Copilot cites and cross-checking Copilot’s responses against other reputable sources. Consider the following:

An image outlining how to consider the accuracy, authority and bias of sources recommended by Copilot. The text reads: Accuracy - Is the information current, complete, and correct? Do other sources agree with your source? Does the source contradict itself? Is the information verifiable? Authority - Does the information come from a trustworthy or reliable source? Is the author an expert in their field? Do they have authority to make the claims they are making? Is the information supported by evidence? Bias - Is the information truthful and unbiased? Does it give a fair, even-handed assessment of the subject? Does the source have an agenda? Does it disclose any biases or conflicts of interest?

Key Considerations

Just like all GenAI tools, there are things you need to take into consideration when deciding if Copilot is the right tool for you to use. Here are some things to consider when using Copilot.

Taking it further