DATABASE SEARCHING
- Knowing database searching strategies is a core component of retrieving relevant results.
- In database searching different strings generated different responses.
- Search queries need to be properly conceptualised.
- Strategies need to be specific.
PROMPT ENGINEERING
- Generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT are not search engines.
- They generate responses based on patterns of texts from the internet.
- The term for fine-tuning questions, instructions and prompts in these chatbots, for the most useful information, is called prompt engineering.
DATABASE SEARCHING VS PROMPT ENGINEERING
Leo (2023) provided a CLEAR framework for prompting AI to optimise interactions with information generating AI tools. The principle contained in the acronym is as follows:
C: Concise - Use clear and simple language
L: Logical - structure the information in order. Context is very important
E: Explicit - Define instructions and formats. Specify length, sources and terminology. Set restrictions
A: Adaptive - Be flexible. Rephrase and restructure. Adjust settings and parameters where necessary. Try different approaches.
R: Reflective - Evaluate responses carefully and use insights to further refine the strategy