Unlocking the Future

How are EdD Faculty Using Generative AI in Doctoral Research

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.475

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, doctoral research, faculty perceptions, mixed methods research, survey research

Abstract

This convergent mixed methods research study investigated how a small, non-representative sample of Educational Doctorate (EdD) faculty perceive and use generative AI and how they have leveraged the technology to support EdD students. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data from 27 EdD faculty members to assess their generative AI perceptions and use as of April 2024. Findings revealed widespread generative AI use among participants, with 89% utilizing the technology for a variety of tasks related to supporting EdD students, including brainstorming, lesson planning, building students’ generative AI knowledge, and supporting dissertation research and writing. Generative AI use did not differ significantly based on demographic or background factors, but perceptions varied between users and nonusers, with users holding much more favorable attitudes about the technology. Both groups perceived it to pose a relatively low threat to their career, but nonusers perceived an even lower threat. This study illustrates diverse generative AI use among participants, underscores the need for ongoing exploration into how perceptions about generative AI shape faculty’s adoption and use of the technology, and calls for future research into generative AI integration and its impact on faculty and student learning and satisfaction. 

References

Ascione, L. (2023, November 22). Students, leaders slow to adopt AI, but cautiously optimistic. eCampus News. https://www.ecampusnews.com/teaching-learning/2023/11/22/students-leaders-ai-higher-education/

Black, E. (2024). Working smarter: A quantitative investigation into higher education faculty’s perceptions, adoption, and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in alignment with the learning sciences and Universal Design for Learning (Publication No. 31332021) [Doctoral dissertation, Drexel University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/docview/3077461163

Bharadwaj, P., Shaw, C., NeJame, L., Martin, S., Janson, N., & Fox, K. (2023, June). Time for class 2023: Bridging student and faculty perspectives on digital learning. Tyton Partners. https://tytonpartners.com/time-for-class-2023-bridging-student-and-faculty-perspectives-on-digital-learning/

Brougham, D., & Haar, J. (2018). Smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA): Employees’ perceptions of our future workplace. Journal of Management & Organization, 24(2), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2016.55

Cengage Group. (2023, July 20). Artificial Intelligence enters the workforce: Cengage Group’s 2023 employability report exposes new hiring trends, shaky graduate confidence. Cengage Group. https://www.cengagegroup.com/news/press-releases/2023/cengage-group-employability-report/

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.

DeVon, C. (2023, November 30). On ChatGPT’s one-year anniversary, it has more than 1.7 billion users—Here’s what it may do next. CBS. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/chatgpts-one-year-anniversary-how-the-viral-ai-chatbot-has-changed.html

Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs – principles and practices. Health Services Research, 48(6 Pt 2), 2134–2156. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12117

Grassini, S. (2023). Development and validation of the AE Attitude Scale (AIAS-4): A brief measure of general attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1191628. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1191628

Intelligent. (2023, January 23). Nearly 1 in 3 college students have used ChatGPT on written assignments. Intelligent. https://www.intelligent.com/nearly-1-in-3-college-students-have-used-chatgpt-on-written-assignments/

Joosten, J., Bilgram, V., Hahn, A., & Totzek, D. (2024). Comparing the ideation quality of humans with generative artificial intelligence. IEEE Engineering Management Review, 52(2), 153–164. http://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2024.3353338

Lodge, J. M., Thompson, K., & Corrin, L. (2023). Mapping out a research agenda for generative artificial intelligence in tertiary education. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 31(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.8695

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Moorhouse, B. L., Yeo, M. A., & Wan, Y. (2023). Generative AI tools and assessment: Guidelines of the world’s top-ranking universities. Computers and Education Open, 5(15), 100–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2023.100151

Quinn, R. (2024, April 16). Annual provosts’ survey shows need for AI policies, worries over campus speech. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2024/04/16/provosts-survey-shows-need-ai-policies

Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). The Free Press.

Saldaña, J. (2021). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (4th ed). Sage Publications.

Sebesta, J., & Davis, V. L. (2023). Supporting instruction and learning through artificial intelligence: A survey of institutional practices & policies. WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies. https://wcet.wiche.edu/resources/wcet-report-supporting-instruction-learning-through-artificial-intelligence-a-survey-of-institutional-practices-policies/

Shaw, C., Yuan, L., Brennan, D., Martin, S., Janson, N., Fox, K., & Bryant, G. (2023, October 23). GenAI in higher education: Fall 2023 update. Tyton Partners. http://www.tytonpartners.com/time-for-class-2023/GenAI-Update

Sun, G. H., & Hoelscher, S. H. (2023). The ChatGPT storm and what faculty can do. Nurse Educator, 48(3), 119–124. http://www.doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001390

Wiley. (2023, September 21). Generative AI already being used in majority of college classrooms, according to instructors in new Wiley survey. Wiley. https://newsroom.wiley.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Generative-AI-Already-Being-Used-in-Majority-of-College-Classrooms-According-to-Instructors-in-New-Wiley-Survey/default.aspx

Zhang, W., & Creswell, J. (2013). The use of “mixing” procedure of mixed methods in health services research. Medical Care, 51(8), e51-e57. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0b013e31824642fd

Downloads

Published

2025-02-07

How to Cite

Black, E., & Betts, K. (2025). Unlocking the Future: How are EdD Faculty Using Generative AI in Doctoral Research . Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 10(1), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.475

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): The Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Doctoral Research and Writing

Section

Themed-The Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Doctoral Research and Writing

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ellana Black, Kristen Betts

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
    with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
  4. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  5. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
  6. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
  7. The Author represents and warrants that:
    1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
    2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
    3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
    4. the Work has not previously been published;
    5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
    6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
  8. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Revised 7/16/2018. Revision Description: Removed outdated link.