Philippine E-Journals

AI-Assisted Research Mentoring in Graduate Thesis Writing: A Reflective Inquiry on the Use of ChatGPT

Jay L. Galimpin

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This reflective inquiry examined how ChatGPT facilitated the author's graduate thesis-writing journey as an AI-assisted mentor, co-thinking partner, and writing support tool. Anchored on a scholarly reflective in- quiry design, the article drew from the researcher's lived experience in developing a thesis on theory-based metacognitive instructional design in mathematics education. Reflective data were gathered from the re- searcher's thesis-writing experiences, AI-assisted interactions, manu- script revisions, defense preparation, and personal realizations through- out the research process. Thematic reflective analysis showed that ChatGPT supported conceptual clarification, methodological organiza- tion, scholarly writing, results alignment, and defense preparation. More importantly, AI interaction prompted the researcher to monitor under- standing, regulate revisions, question uncertain outputs, and evaluate suggestions against theoretical, methodological, and scholarly evidence. However, the inquiry also emphasized that ChatGPT remained a fallible tool requiring source verification, numerical checking, human revision, adviser guidance, and researcher accountability. The study concludes that ChatGPT may serve as a meaningful AI-assisted research mentor when used critically, transparently, and ethically. Its strongest contribu- tion lies not in replacing scholarly work, but in helping the researcher think more clearly, write more coherently, and develop greater confi- dence in the research process.