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Albert S. Cook Library

Research Tech: AI, Citations, Data, and More

This guide provides an overview of technology that supports every stage of the academic process—from reading and organizing sources to conducting literature reviews, managing citations, analyzing data, and sharing research.

How To Use this Guide

Technology can help make the academic research process more...

  • Accessible: Tools like text-to-speech, screen readers, captions, and alternative formats make research easier for everyone, including people with disabilities.
  • Accurate: Copying quotations and visualizations directly from sources helps ensure proper attribution, while citation tools save time by formatting references correctly.
  • Collaborative: Work with classmates or colleagues from anywhere by sharing files and editing documents together in real time.
  • Engaging: Research isn’t just about text—multimedia content, interactive materials, and new digital formats offer exciting ways to explore and present ideas.
  • Organized: Digital tools help you store, tag, and search for sources quickly, so you can find what you need without sorting through stacks of papers.

Explore this guide to find librarian-approved tools that support your reading, research, and writing, whether you're gathering sources, organizing information, collaborating, or polishing your final draft!

Related Guides & Additional Resources

While this guide focuses on tools for data analysis, author profiles, and literature reviews related to research and publication, you might also benefit from these related resources and support services that complement your technology needs.

Related Guides

Struggling to manage a mix of handwritten and digital notes or creating flashcards for an exam? Visit our Student's Guide to Tech guide for help with editing videos, marking up digital texts, and even building better habits.

Curious about using AI in your academic work? Check out our Thinking Through Gen AI guide for advice on when it works best, tutorials on top tools, and academic integrity considerations.

Play Your Way

The tools highlighted in this guide are ones Cook Librarians have personally used and recommend based on reliability. That means: You can contact us for help with these tools! However, there may be other tools that are a better fit for you.

You can explore software available through TU or discover it from trustworthy organizations such as Ithaka S+R, whose Generative AI Product Tracker is regularly maintained. You also have TU access to LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft training, which offers an Educator Center and Student Hub.

Don't forget to learn from your peers, too! Level up your discovery of new technology by following individuals and groups such as @crashcourse's How to College playlist and @Thomasfrank / College Info Geek for general college success or @GradCoach, @DrAndyStapleton, and @lennartnacke for graduate and advanced research support.

Of course, technology can help with more than just research. It can help with studying, group projects, and presentations too. Explore our Student Guide for Learning Online for even more librarian-approved tools and tips.