Are alarm bells ringing in academia? ChatGPT as a sample of using chatbots in education

Abstract

The main aim of this mixed methods study is to determine the evaluations made by academics on an academic text generated with ChatGPT and get their general views on ChatGPT. The convergent parallel design is utilized where the qualitative and quantitative methods are combined to produce triangulated results. Data were collected via an online form from 45 academics. Academics were asked to read and rate the sample text generated by ChatGPT. The titles “Writing rules,” “Language and expression,” and “Subject integrity” of the text generated by ChatGPT received the highest ratings from the academics. The qualitative findings obtained were interpreted within the framework of the “Diffusion of Innovations” and “Uses and Gratifications” theories, and the related themes were formed. As a result, the participants were asked about their feelings about using ChatGPT, and the themes of astonishment, pessimism, anxiety, and hopefulness emerged. Participants were asked their opinions about the benefits and negative aspects of using ChatGPT. Themes emerged under the benefits, and negative aspects titles were evaluated. Finally, the other themes that emerged under the satisfaction with ChatGPT and making ChatGPT widespread titles were assessed.