Evaluation of the Impact of ChatGPT on the Development of Research Skills in Secondary Education Students: An Experimental Approach

This study evaluates the impact of ChatGPT on the development of investigative competencies in regular basic education students, focusing on three key dimensions: functionality in information gathering, contribution to the generation of precise and relevant content, and usability in developing investigative skills. An experimental design was implemented with a sample of 100 students, divided into an experimental group (n = 50) that used ChatGPT and a control group (n = 50) that employed traditional methods. The students developed research projects evaluated based on six criteria: coherence, precision, originality, content depth, problem-solving ability, and source utilization. The results, obtained through descriptive and comparative statistical analysis, revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in coherence (3.6 vs. 2.8), precision (3.4 vs. 2.6), and originality (3.4 vs. 2.8). However, the control group showed better performance in source utilization (3.4 vs. 2.2), suggesting that traditional methods are more effective in managing bibliographic references. Regarding content depth and problem-solving ability, both groups achieved similar results, with a slight advantage for the experimental group. In conclusion, the use of ChatGPT enhances the coherence, precision, and originality of students’ investigative work. However, it is recommended to combine this tool with traditional methods to optimize source management and ensure a comprehensive development of investigative competencies, promoting an ethical and effective use of technology.