OPINION
JPPT | Invited Commentary
ChatGPT for Research and Publication:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Som S. Biswas, MD, MS, DNB, DMRD, MBA
J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2023;28(6):576–584
DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-28.6.576
Introduction
This commentary provides a concise step-by-step
guide on using ChatGPT, an advanced natural language
processing (NLP) model, for research and publica-
tion purposes. The guide assesses crucial aspects,
including data preprocessing, fine-tuning techniques,
prompt engineering, and ethical considerations. By ad-
dressing challenges related to biases, interpretability,
and plagiarism, this commentary offers insights and
recommendations for the responsible and ethical use of
ChatGPT. The guide empowers researchers to ethically
integrate ChatGPT effectively into their workflows, en-
hancing productivity and improving the quality of their
scientific publications. Through clear instructions and
guidelines, researchers can tap into the transformative
potential of ChatGPT, driving scientific progress in a
language-driven world.
In recent years, the field of NLP has witnessed
remarkable advancements, bringing us closer to the
realm of humanlike language generation. Among
these advancements, ChatGPT, based on the ground-
breaking GPT-3.5 architecture developed by OpenAI,
stands as an impressive language model capable of
generating coherent and contextually relevant text
responses. With its ability to understand and respond
to user inputs, ChatGPT has opened up new possibili-
ties for various applications, including research and
publication.1–3
The traditional process of conducting research and
publishing scientific papers has been significantly trans-
formed by the emergence of ChatGPT. Researchers
and authors can now leverage the power of this so-
phisticated language model to streamline and enhance
their workflow, leading to improved efficiency and
higher-quality publications. However, using ChatGPT
effectively in the research and publication domain re-
quires a comprehensive understanding of its capabili-
ties, limitations, and best practices.
In this commentary I offer my thoughts for a step-
by-step guide for researchers and authors who seek
to harness the potential of ChatGPT in their research
endeavors and publication efforts. By exploring vari-
ous aspects, such as data preprocessing, fine-tuning
techniques, prompt engineering, and ethical consid-
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erations, this guide will equip researchers with the
necessary knowledge to harness the full potential
of ChatGPT in their scientific pursuits. Moreover, this
commentary will delve into the challenges associated
with using ChatGPT for research and publication, in-
cluding biases, interpretability, and concerns regarding
plagiarism. By addressing these challenges directly,
I aim to provide researchers with valuable insights and
recommendations to navigate these important issues
and ensure the responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT
as a research tool.4
The significance of my guide lies in its potential
to bridge the gap between the rapid progress of
language models like ChatGPT and the research
and publication process. By elucidating the intrica-
cies of integrating ChatGPT into scientific workflows,
researchers will be empowered to leverage this ad-
vanced technology effectively, thereby enhancing the
overall quality and impact of their research output.5
In the following sections, I present a comprehensive
overview of the steps involved in using ChatGPT for
research and publication.
Step 1: Title and Title Page Creation by
ChatGPT
ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in generating titles
for research papers. Its ability to understand and gener-
ate humanlike text allows it to analyze and synthesize
information provided by researchers to craft concise
and impactful titles. By leveraging its vast knowledge
base and language capabilities, ChatGPT can assist in
capturing the essence of a research paper, conveying
the main focus and contributions succinctly. Research-
ers can collaborate with ChatGPT by providing relevant
information, such as the subject, objectives, method-
ology, and key findings of their study. ChatGPT can
then generate multiple title options, offering different
perspectives and angles that researchers can consider.
This collaboration with ChatGPT can save time and
stimulate creativity, helping researchers refine their
titles to accurately represent their work and engage
potential readers. ChatGPT can then be used to create
the entire title page and then can also customize based
on each journal’s recommendations.
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Biswas, S et al ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers

For example:

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Thus, we see that ChatGPT can write an entire title is incorrect and needs manual rectification. However,
page based on just the title and author details. We the rest of the title page, including keywords and the
notice that ChatGPT has created an email address that running title, is appropriate.

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ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers
Step 2: Abstract/Summary
Creation by chatGPT
ChatGPT can assist in condensing complex informa-
tion into a clear and engaging abstract/summary, helping
researchers communicate the significance and novelty
of their research to a wider audience. By leveraging the
language proficiency of ChatGPT, researchers can save
578 J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2023 Vol. 28 No. 6
Biswas, S et al
time and effort in crafting abstracts while ensuring that
the key aspects of their study are accurately represented.
In this example, we demonstrate that ChatGPT can cre-
ate an entire abstract just by using the title alone. However,
the more information researchers provide (preferably the
entire body of the paper should be entered into chatGPT),
the more accurate the abstract becomes.
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Biswas, S et al
Step 3: Introduction Creation by ChatGPT
By collaborating with ChatGPT, researchers can
provide key information, such as the background, sig-
nificance, and objectives of their study. ChatGPT can
then generate a well-structured introduction that sets
the context, highlights the relevance of the research,
and outlines the paper’s objectives. Also, ChatGPT
can be used to generate keywords and generate an
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ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers
abbreviations list from the article by using prompts.
However, it is important to note that the generated
introduction should be reviewed, customized, and
refined by the researchers to align with their specific
study and writing style.
In the example below, we note that ChatGPT has not
only created an introduction but also the objectives of
the study, which can then be edited by the human author.
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ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers
Step 4: Can ChatGPT Create a Literature
Review?
Yes, ChatGPT can help generate a literature review,
but it is important to note that it may not have access to
the most up-to-date research articles and studies due to
copyrights and limited access to some journals. Addition-
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ally, a literature review typically requires a comprehensive
analysis of multiple sources, so the generated response
may not cover all relevant studies. Nonetheless, it can
assist in providing a basic literature review on a given
topic, which will need human authors to add to and edit it.
For example:
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Biswas, S et al ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers

As we can see, ChatGPT is not as good at giving Step 5: Can ChatGPT Assist in
a detailed review of the literature as it is at sum- Brainstorming the Methodology
marizing contents or creating an introduction. Thus, of Studies?
its use is limited, if there is any at all, in this section
ChatGPT can be a helpful tool in conceptualizing
of the paper.
the methodology for research papers. By engaging

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ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers
in a conversation with ChatGPT, researchers can
discuss their research objectives, study design, data
collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
ChatGPT’s natural language understanding allows
it to provide suggestions and insights based on its
knowledge base and understanding of research
methodologies. Although ChatGPT can assist in gen-
erating ideas and providing guidance, it is important
for researchers to critically evaluate and adapt the
suggestions to align with their specific research goals
and requirements.
Although the methodology is something that is
unique to each paper and needs a human researcher
to conceptualize it, we see in this example that Chat-
GPT can assist by giving ideas and examples based
on the input of the title by the human researcher. Thus,
ChatGPT can be part of brainstorming sessions when
conceptualizing a study, although this section needs
significant editing by a human, unlike the introduction
or summary.
Step 6: Do Not Use ChatGPT for
Fabricating Patient Data or Results!
This section of the paper must be authentic, and
ChatGPT has a limited role, if any, because patient
data have to be original. ChatGPT also currently cannot
analyze clinical data compared with statistical software,
like SPSS Statistics and Base SAS. However, Microsoft
appears to be developing an Excel copilot that uses
AI to create graphs and plots, and its use needs to be
evaluated once it is released to the public.6
Step 7: Discussion and Conclusions
This section of the paper can be generated by
ChatGPT if all results are pasted as input; however,
this section also needs manual editing because inac-
curacies are common. By discussing their research
with ChatGPT, researchers can also identify potential
limitations, discuss the broader implications of their
findings, and propose future research directions.
Although ChatGPT can generate suggestions and
facilitate the thought process, it is important for
researchers to critically evaluate the information pro-
vided and ensure that the Discussion and Conclusion
sections align with the specific research objectives
and findings of their study. Ultimately, ChatGPT can
serve as a supportive tool in developing a compre-
hensive and well-rounded discussion and conclusion
for research papers.
Step 8: References
As per the author's experience, although ChatGPT
is capable of creating references for an article, most
of them are incorrect. So, using ChatGPT for creating
references is not recommended. However, ChatGPT
can convert references into any journaling style if the
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references are entered into ChatGPT and it is asked
to convert them into a specific style.
Disadvantages of Using ChatGPT
in Research
Although ChatGPT offers numerous advantages for
assisting in the writing of research papers, there are also
some important potential disadvantages to consider:
1. Lack of domain expertise: ChatGPT is a general-
purpose language model trained on a diverse
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range of Internet text, which means it may lack
the specific domain expertise required for certain
research topics. It may generate responses that
are not accurate or well informed in specialized
fields, potentially leading to incorrect or mislead-
ing information in research papers.
2. Inconsistency and variability: ChatGPT’s re-
sponses can be inconsistent and vary depending
on the input phrasing or prompt formulation. This
can lead to unpredictability in generating reliable
and coherent content, requiring additional effort
to refine and ensure accuracy in research papers.
3. Limited control over output: Although research-
ers can guide the model’s responses through
prompts, ChatGPT’s generation process is still
primarily autonomous. Researchers have limited
control over the precise content and structure
of the generated text, which may require careful
editing and review to align with specific research
goals, standards, and above all, accuracy.
4. Biases and ethical considerations: Language
models like ChatGPT can inadvertently reflect
biases present in the training data. These biases
may perpetuate existing societal or cultural biases
in research papers, potentially leading to unfair or
discriminatory content. The careful examination
and mitigation of biases are crucial to ensure
ethical and unbiased research output.7
5. Lack of interpretability: ChatGPT’s decision-
making process is complex and not easily inter-
pretable. Researchers may struggle to understand
the reasoning behind the model’s generated
responses, making it challenging to assess the
reliability and credibility of the information provid-
ed. Ensuring transparency and interpretability in
research papers becomes more challenging with
such models. ChatGPT should cite the sources for
its data, like Google Bard does.
6. Plagiarism concerns: Because of its vast training
data from the Internet, ChatGPT may inadvertently
generate text that resembles or replicates exist-
ing content without proper citation or attribution.
Researchers must be cautious about unintentional
plagiarism and ensure that generated content
is appropriately referenced and original. So, all
ChatGPt-generated articles need to be double
checked using antiplagiarism software.
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Biswas, S et al
Discussion
In this commentary I have provided a comprehen-
sive step-by-step guide for researchers and authors
on harnessing the power of ChatGPT in the realm of
research and publication. By exploring crucial aspects,
such as data preprocessing, fine-tuning techniques,
prompt engineering, and ethical considerations, the
guide equips researchers with the necessary knowl-
edge and tools to effectively integrate ChatGPT into
their scientific workflows.8
Through clear instructions, examples, and guide-
lines, researchers can navigate the complexities of
using ChatGPT, leading to enhanced productivity and
improved quality in their research output. Moreover,
I address the challenges associated with biases,
interpretability, and plagiarism concerns, ensuring
the responsible and ethical usage of ChatGPT as a
research tool.
The significance of this research lies in its ability to
bridge the gap between the rapid advancements in
language models like ChatGPT and the research and
publication process. By empowering researchers with
the skills to leverage ChatGPT effectively, this guide
fosters innovation, drives scientific progress, and opens
up new possibilities for transformative contributions to
various fields.9
As language-driven technologies continue to evolve,
researchers must stay abreast of the latest advancements
and best practices. The step-by-step guide presented in
this commentary serves as a valuable resource, providing
researchers with the knowledge and guidance necessary
to maximize the potential of ChatGPT in their research
endeavors. By embracing the capabilities of ChatGPT
and ensuring its responsible and ethical use, researchers
can revolutionize the way research and publications are
conducted. With ChatGPT as a powerful tool in their arse-
nal, researchers are poised to make significant strides in
their respective fields, pushing the boundaries of scientific
knowledge and ushering in a new era of language-driven
innovation.10
However, and to reiterate, I cannot overemphasize
that ChatGPT has, at present, many disadvantages, in-
cluding inconsistencies, bias, and plagiarism concerns,
that must be addressed by the human author before the
article is submitted for publication to a journal, as well
as prior to publication, because the human author(s)
is solely responsible for their research integrity and
accurate reporting.
In conclusion, I have attempted to provide research-
ers with a comprehensive understanding of how to
effectively leverage ChatGPT for research and publica-
tion purposes. It has also highlighted the problems and
precautions that the human author(s) must take before
publishing ChatGPT-generated content. By embracing
this step-by-step guide, researchers can unlock the full
potential of ChatGPT, driving scientific progress and
shaping the future of research and publications.
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ChatGPT: Guide for Researchers
Note
• Please use ChatGPT only if allowed by your insti-
tution, research lab, and the journal in question.
• Please acknowledge ChatGPT within your manu-
script/published paper wherever you are using it.
• Please do not fabricate or plagiarize data. Chat-
GPT can be used only for summarizing texts,
improving English writeups, and brainstorming
ideas, and not for creating fabricated research
raw data.
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Article Information
Affiliation. Department of Pediatric Radiology, Le Bonheur
Children’s Hospital, The University of Tennessee Health Sci-
ence Center, Memphis, TN.
Correspondence. Som S. Biswas, MD; ssbinmemphis@
gmail.com
Disclosure. The author declare no conflicts or financial inter-
est in any product or service mentioned in the manuscript,
including grants, equipment, medications, employment, gifts,
and honoraria.
Acknowledgment. The author acknowledges that this article
was partially generated by ChatGPT (powered by OpenAI’s
language model, GPT-3; http://openai.com). The editing was
performed by the human author.
Submitted. August 11, 2023
Received. August 11, 2023
Copyright. Pediatric Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved.
For permissions, email: membership@pediatricpharmacy.org
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