Exploring the Pros and Cons of ChatGPT from the Perspectives of Postgraduate Students: A Pilot Qualitative Study at a Graduate Business School in a Public University

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the pros and cons of using ChatGPT, an advanced language model from OpenAI, in education. While technology offers new opportunities for both academics and students to enhance learning, its actual impact on education is still debated. Therefore, this study focused on understanding students' real-life experiences and thoughts, with the aim of uncovering the multiple impacts of ChatGPT on communication, research, and learning in an academic setting among postgraduate students at a Graduate Business School in a Public University in Malaysia. In this qualitative exploratory study, semi-structured online interviews were employed. A pilot group of seven participants was selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. During the interviews, participants freely shared their thoughts and reflections on using ChatGPT in their academic activities. The manually collected data underwent a comprehensive analysis that included four steps: independent coding, initial open coding, refined coding, and axial coding. The resulting codes were then organised into broader themes that provide a holistic understanding of perspectives related to the use of ChatGPT in a postgraduate academic setting. This qualitative study attempted to provide insights into the real-life experiences of postgraduate students using ChatGPT. A limitation of the study is its narrow focus on the responses of a few postgraduate students at that particular Graduate Business School, which may not represent the entire postgraduate community. Based on the interviews, the participants acknowledged that ChatGPT is an alternative for them to prepare their research due to time restrictions (as working adults). Essentially, all the participants agreed that although ChatGPT has more advantages than disadvantages, it will never replace the function of academics. Human touch, emotions, interactions, attractions, and senses cannot be replaced by systems, machines, or robots. Future studies could address this issue by involving participants from various institutions and exploring the perspectives of educators instead of only focusing on students.