https:\/\/speakerdeck.com\/yukinobaba\/human-ai-collaboration-komaba\/<\/a> )<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nListening to this lecture, I felt an immediate urge: “I must research this myself.” When I returned home and posed the exact same question to the latest version of ChatGPT, it returned an unbiased answer. This suggested that AI developers might have corrected gender bias issues during that short interval, or perhaps subtle nuances in phrasing generated different responses. What about other generative AIs like Gemini? Questions arose one after another. I began gathering relevant domestic and international literature, steadily preparing to draft an academic paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having the opportunity to document this research workflow as an instructional guide on this webpage, I will outline the step-by-step process from ideation to paper completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Are New Research Ideas Born? I Asked Gemini.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGemini’s Response:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nNew research ideas rarely stem from pure, spontaneous inspiration alone; rather, they almost always emerge from structured processes and environments\u2014such as organizing existing knowledge, identifying intersections across disciplines, or noticing anomalies in field observations. Below are primary approaches to spark research ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Core Approaches to Generating Ideas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nCombinatorial Innovation (Cross-Disciplinary Synthesis):<\/strong> Crossing knowledge from two entirely different fields. For instance, applying biological structures to engineering (biomimicry)\u2014importing standard methods from one discipline into another often sparks groundbreaking inquiries.<\/li>\n\n\n\nProbing Discrepancies and Anomalies (Limitations of Fieldwork\/Literature):<\/strong> Rather than overlooking questions that arise during reading, experimentation, or observation (“Why does this fail under these conditions?” or “What are the exceptions to established theories?”), pursue them. The “Future Work” sections of existing papers are goldmines for research topics.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTechnological and Methodological Advances (Applying New Tools):<\/strong> As measurement tools improve and novel analytical frameworks (such as AI and data science) emerge, investigating targets that were previously impossible to measure or analyze automatically creates new research themes.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBackcasting from Social and Practical Problems:<\/strong> Starting from real-world challenges (needs) in healthcare, the environment, or industry, and reverse-engineering foundational theories or modular techniques to resolve them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nDaily Habits to Give Shape to Ideas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nRigorously Reviewing Literature:<\/strong> Clarifying the exact boundary between what is “Known” and what remains “Unknown.”<\/li>\n\n\n\nBrainstorming and Dialogue:<\/strong> Discussing ideas with peers, advisors, or researchers from other fields to identify gaps in your hypotheses and discover new perspectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHabitual Note-Taking:<\/strong> Immediately recording questions that arise while reading papers or daily observations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/span>2. Learning the Fundamentals of a Research Field<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/span>(1) Reading Textbooks, Introductory Books, and Surveys<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\nBasics<\/li>\n\n\n\n Generative AI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBefore embarking on your research, read textbooks, introductory guides, and surveys in the relevant discipline. Doing so allows you to understand the academic positioning of your prospective paper, core terminology, foundational theories, standard methodologies, and conceptual frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you plan to write a paper in social psychology, you can ask generative AI to recommend standard introductory texts. Here is a prompt example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Markdown<\/p>\n\n\n\n
# Role\nYou are an expert in social psychology who excels at introducing foundational knowledge to students.\n\n# Task\nPlease recommend 7 Japanese textbooks, introductory guides, and survey books that are ideal for acquiring foundational knowledge in social psychology. Select only books published in 2020 or later. Do not include translated works. Make sure to include \"Graphic Social Psychology, 3rd Edition.\"\n\n# Output Format\nAuthor \/ Title \/ Publisher \/ Publication Year\nSummary of Content (2 lines)\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nChatGPT’s Response:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFollowing your criteria, I have selected 7 original Japanese publications (excluding translations) published in 2020 or later that are well-suited for learning the fundamentals of social psychology, balancing systematic textbooks with accessible introductory texts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nTomoko Ikegami & Yumi Endo \/ Graphic Social Psychology (3rd Edition)<\/em> \/ Saiensu-sha \/ 2024Systematically covers major topics across three perspectives: social cognition, interpersonal relations, and individuals in society. Richly illustrated with charts and figures, making it an ideal introductory university textbook.<\/li>\n\n\n\nJunkichi Sugiura, Yuka Ozaki, & Aya Murayama \/ Social Psychology: What Moves and Transforms Society<\/em> \/ Yuhikaku \/ 2024Uses everyday questions and societal issues as springboards to build sociological thinking. Features quizzes and online experiments that support active learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\nNaoya Tabata & Shunsuke Uehara (Eds.) \/ Discovery Social Psychology<\/em> \/ Kitaohji Shobo \/ 2024A modern textbook structured around “groups,” “interpersonal dynamics,” and “individuals,” covering foundational concepts to current trends, research methods, history, and certified psychologist keywords.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHiroaki Enomoto \/ Easy-to-Understand Social Psychology<\/em> \/ Saiensu-sha \/ 2023Introduces social psychology through familiar themes such as interpersonal perception, attraction, self-concept, prosocial\/aggressive behavior, communication, and culture. Designed explicitly for beginners.<\/li>\n\n\n\nRyutaro Wakimoto, Tomohiro Kumagai, Hiroki Takehashi, et al. \/ Learning Social Psychology from the Basics (2nd Edition)<\/em> \/ Saiensu-sha \/ 2023A step-by-step primer designed for undergraduates to systematically grasp core social psychological concepts.<\/li>\n\n\n\nShinichiro Okamoto (Ed.) \/ Social Psychology of Communication: Conveying, Relating, and Influencing<\/em> \/ Nakanishiya Shuppan \/ 2023Systematically examines verbal\/nonverbal communication, interpersonal relations, persuasion, and media effects. Best suited for in-depth study of communication dynamics.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTetsuji Ito \/ Living Social Psychology in the 21st Century (New Edition)<\/em> \/ Hokuju Shuppan \/ 2021Re-examines contemporary social challenges through social psychology to question taken-for-granted assumptions, treating the discipline as a tool to interpret real society rather than rote memorization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u26a0\ufe0f Note:<\/strong> Different generative AI models may produce divergent responses even when given the exact same prompt. For instance, running the prompt above through Gemini resulted in inaccuracies. When in doubt, test the prompt across multiple AI models and compare the outputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>(2) Reading Specialized Subfield Textbooks<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\nBasics<\/li>\n\n\n\n Generative AI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAfter finishing introductory surveys, read a textbook specialized in your subfield. Academic book series\u2014such as “Studies in [Discipline]” or “[Discipline] Monograph Series”\u2014frequently dedicate individual volumes to specialized topics. Selecting a volume aligned with your interest is highly recommended. Choose recently published volumes to understand current scholarly trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you are interested in the social psychology of rumors, read Rumors on the Run<\/em> by Yoshiro Kawakami (Psychology Selection Series<\/em>, Saiensu-sha); if interested in media effects, consider Social Psychology of Information Behavior<\/em>, edited by Yoshiro Kawakami (21st Century Social Psychology Series<\/em>, Kitaohji Shobo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>3. Finding a Research Theme<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/span>(1) Societal Trends<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\nBasics<\/li>\n\n\n\n Generative AI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nSocietal trends serve as excellent barometers for identifying research themes. Current phenomena (such as generative AI, electric vehicles, climate change, multicultural coexistence, school absenteeism, inbound tourism, aging demographics, and intergenerational divides) represent central concerns of contemporary society, urgent areas for empirical investigation, and active topics within academia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To capture trends efficiently, diversify your sources depending on the speed (real-time, short-term, or long-term) and domain (business, culture, or consumer behavior) of the trend:<\/p>\n\n\n\nCategory<\/strong><\/td>Primary Sources<\/strong><\/td>Trend Characteristics<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>Reader \/ Online Submissions<\/strong><\/td>Asahi Shimbun (“Voices”), Yomiuri Shimbun (“Air Currents”), Mainichi Shimbun (“Open Square”), Tokyo Shimbun (“Perspectives”)<\/td> Unfiltered public sentiment and localized grassroots opinion<\/td><\/tr> Search & Data<\/strong><\/td>Google Trends, Yahoo! Realtime Search<\/td> Rapid spikes in search volume and objective public interest over time<\/td><\/tr> Social Media & Video<\/strong><\/td>X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube<\/td> Emerging real-time events, youth culture, viral visual memes<\/td><\/tr> Business & PR<\/strong><\/td>PR TIMES, Nikkei Cross Trend, NewsPicks<\/td> Product releases, corporate maneuvers, marketing paradigms<\/td><\/tr> Surveys & Statistics<\/strong><\/td>Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, SHIBUYA109 lab., Dentsu Institute<\/td> Shifts in consumer awareness, Gen Z behaviors, segmented demographic insights<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>(2) Academic Trends<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\nBasics<\/li>\n\n\n\n Generative AI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nReviewing conference proceedings and recent journal issues of academic societies provides direct insight into where front-line researchers are focusing their attention. Accessing society websites allows you to inspect paper titles, abstracts, and full-text PDFs. Below is a directory of major academic societies and journals related to sociology, psychology, social psychology, and media studies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n