“Why Can’t I Use ChatGPT for My Academic Learning?” Voices from Ph.D. Students in a Thai University

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Published: Jul 29, 2024
Keywords:
ChatGPT Ph.D. students academic learning qualitative design

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Adcharawan Buripakdi
School of Foreign Languages, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand
Le Truong An
Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam

Abstract

Amidst the integration of AI tools in education, ChatGPT is considered prevalent for its potential capacities. Although research into this phenomenon has been conducted by worldwide scholars, little has been known about the perceptions of Ph.D. students of non-English speaking countries. Hence, this qualitative study shifted the focus to this marginalized group of participants in a specific university in Thailand. Based on the constructivist worldview, the study featured interviews with four Ph.D. students. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study uncovered a nuanced view of the use of ChatGPT in empowering academic advancement for Ph.D. students while the challenges are also significant, including the impacts on critical thinking, ethical issues, and specialized terms. The findings further advocated responsible ChatGPT use and called for institutional support in terms of academic integrity. This research design contributes a unique perspective to the discourse on using ChatGPT in education, emphasizing a contextualized experience and the needs of non-native English-speaking Ph.D. students in utilizing ChatGPT for academic purposes.

Article Details

How to Cite
Buripakdi, A., & Truong An, L. (2024). “Why Can’t I Use ChatGPT for My Academic Learning?” Voices from Ph.D. Students in a Thai University. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 17(2), 299–319. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/274087
Issue
Vol. 17 No. 2 (2024): LEARN Journal (July-December)
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Adcharawan Buripakdi, School of Foreign Languages, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of English Language Studies Program, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. Her research lies in English as an international language, language ideology, L2 writing, and identity. Her recent research interest involves exploration into translanguaging, linguistic landscape, and critical discourse analysis.

Le Truong An, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam

a full-time ESL lecturer of Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam. He obtained his master’s degree in TESOL from Edith Cowan University, Australia. He is currently a Ph.D. student in English Language Studies at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. His areas of interests are English Language Teaching, EMI, and Global Englishes.

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