Qualitative research of students’ cognitive preferences when using artificial intelligence

Introduction. The article discusses the problem of using artificial intelligence by students in research activities. The purpose of the study is to identify the types of cognitive preferences of students when using artificial intelligence. Materials and Methods. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the authors used complementary methods: theoretical ones – to analyze and systematize the provisions of Russian and international research investigations on the use of neural networks and AI technologies in higher education, as well as the analysis of regulatory documents of the Russian Federation; empirical methods include semi-structured in-depth interview as a method of qualitative research, typological analysis as a method of processing qualitative research data, and encoding. The study started at the beginning of the academic year 2024-2025. 14 students of Tyumen State University majoring in Primary education took part in it. Results. The main results are the identification of the following types of students: "skeptic", "supporter", "pragmatist". In the students’ statements such categories as "Dissatisfaction/distrust", "Disappointment", "Satisfaction/trust" and "Inspiration" are fixed, which enabled the authors to trace various emotional states of students and revealed the need for research on the potential of AI in students’ research activities in terms of specific causes contributing to the appearance of these conditions. It was found that "skeptics" demonstrate a tendency to use AI responsibly in research activities, while "supporters" did not point to verifying the truth of knowledge obtained with the help of AI as a mandatory step in conducting research, and "pragmatists" more often use AI in solving standard, routine tasks. Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, conclusions were drawn about the need for systematic work to improve the effectiveness of students’ interaction with artificial intelligence in the course of scientific work and the need for further research to comply with ethical and legal norms.