Generative AI: Primo Research Assistant

Primo Research Assistant will 'go-live' on Library Search | Ketu on Wednesday the 2nd of April 2025! 

Primo Research Assistant (Beta) is a generative AI tool which uses the Otago University Library catalogue to recommend key resources based on your query. Using natural language processing, it creates complex Boolean search strings, and analyses the descriptors, abstracts and metadata  to identify the five most relevant resources. 

It is a great place to start your search, and acts as a launching pad for more in-depth research using traditional search methodologies. 

To access Primo Research Assistant (Beta) from the library website, locate the 'Research Assistant' option at the top menu. You will then be asked to log in.

Enter your search query or research question in natural language. The assistant works better when you ask questions opposed to keywords. 

Primo Research Assistant will then provide you with 5 relevant resources and a small summary of the topic in question. 

Note: This tool is a way of jump starting your research and the recommended resources are not definitive. 

The Primo Research Assistant is currently in Beta so it may not always provide accurate results. As with all generative AI, it is your responsibility to verify any information independently. 

The Research Assistant is another tool in your scholarly toolbox, and should be used alongside traditional search and exploration methods. It is not an expert in your field. Recommendations provided by Research Assistant are suggestions, and are in no way definitive.  

For more information on generative AI and its place in academia, please explore the other pages of this guide:

• Discovering – Learn about different AI tools: their strengths, weaknesses and more. 

• Questioning – Explore critical perspectives, biases in AI, and ethical concerns.

• Using – Practical guidance on integrating AI tools effectively in you research.

• Policies and Governance – Understand institutional and global AI policies.

• Keeping Up to Date – Stay informed on the latest AI advancements, trends, and debates.

Can I use the Research Assistant like I would ChatGPT?

Primo Research Assistant is a bit different from other generative AI tools you may know. While it doesn’t support free-flowing conversation, it’s designed specifically to help you explore scholarly content within the library catalogue. It draws exclusively from high-quality academic resources and generates summaries using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), ensuring that the information you receive is grounded in the sources it highlights.

How do you cite the Research Assistant in an assignment?

It’s best to use the Research Assistant as a helpful starting point rather than a citable source. Its main role is to guide you toward useful materials and provide concise overviews. The library encourages you to explore the linked resources, read them directly, and cite those primary materials in your work.

Does it search everything in the library catalogue?

The Research Assistant is designed to prioritize scholarly, academic content. It does not include newspaper, magazine, or newsletter articles, redacted materials, or print books in its search results. This focused approach helps ensure that the resources it recommends are high-quality, accessible online, and well-suited for research and assignments.