How to Leverage Machine Learning for Enhanced Thesis Research

How Does Machine Learning Assist in Thesis Research?

In recent years, AI and ML have revolutionized working methods in various fields. From healthcare to finance, computer science, and education, they have emerged as powerful tools. Alexa Adelle Berry, an educational expert at Studybay, states that one of the most crucial uses of machine learning is in the field of thesis research. It helps students analyze data and drive out insights to include in their thesis papers.

Let’s find out how it can be used in the research process in different ways:

1. Analysis and Prediction

Students have to go through long formats of complex data that often seem impossible to understand and analyze. However, ML algorithms can quickly analyze these databases. The ML algorithms are capable of identifying trends, correlations, and anomalies. This is most useful in social science research, where a huge amount of data is needed to present trends, demographics, or historical incidents.

For example, a couple of years ago, in Bangladesh, research on flood conditions was done with the object of assisting in flood damage reduction. To achieve this, machine learning was used to predict an analysis of the 2004–2009 floods in Bangladesh. This simplified the research work and enabled flawless predictions. Obviously, analyzing four to six years of flood data in 64 states is not an easy job.

2. Classification and Clustering

Students find it challenging when it comes to arranging or sorting voluminous data in their thesis. ML algorithms can sort data into categories or group similar data together. This technique is helpful in several research areas, including healthcare, education, and business sectors.

For example, medical researchers used a machine learning classifier in North Kashmir to predict diabetic influences in the future. Different situations were easily classified into various groups with ML methods.

3. Natural Language Processing

When it comes to analyzing the textual data, extracting some relevant information, or even deriving insights; students feel overburdened most of the time. The reason behind this is they have to go through lots of textual data from books, news articles, journals, and historical documents.

For example, a mental health review was done based on machine learning and natural language processing because they can provide useful information from unexplored data. So, NLP techniques have become quite popular in medical research in the last few years.

4. Visual Analysis

ML algorithms are also capable of analyzing images and videos. It’s most required in the fields of biology and economics. Students have to understand several diagrams or satellite images in science and provide insight relating to them. Similarly, subjects like economics include enough graphs and charts that need to be summarized in thesis papers.

With the help of ML, it becomes easier for them to extract meaningful information from them.

Recommended Reading: Machine Learning Models: Navigating Their Power and Applications

Benefits of Employing Machine Learning in Research Tasks

Based on the tasks mentioned above, it’s clear that ML can solve various purposes for researchers. It not only assists students in the research process and preparing a thesis; it also has several other benefits:

• Accuracy: ML algorithms are built on comprehensive databases. This enables them to achieve a significantly higher level of accuracy in making predictions or classifications compared to human analysis. The advanced nature of these algorithms allows vast data processing and identifying complex patterns. All this may go unnoticed by humans.
• Saves Time: Students are always too busy with lots of important tasks going on. And then, research work consumes most of their time. It could sometimes be tedious for them. But with ML, they quickly get the desired results and complete the thesis work. They can use the saved time on some other work.
• Automation: Students can get rid of lots of repetitive tasks with the help of machine learning. It quickly automates tasks like data clearing, model training, and feature selection. This will allow them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work.
• Scalability: It can handle large volumes of data very easily, irrespective of their size and complexity. It also presents information in a more organized and insightful manner.

Some Challenges Are Also Involved with Machine Learning

Adopting ML in research work is useful. However, it has some cons. Students must understand when they need to apply it, as relying completely on these tools without a prior understanding of the subject matter could be risky. Some other challenges could be:

• Biased Data: AI and ML models work only on the data provided. If that’s not accurate, there are chances of biased predictions, which may further lead to inaccuracy and inequality in the thesis.
• Lack of Interpretability: Some ML models are difficult to understand. This can be very challenging in fields like healthcare, especially when researchers need to know how these models make their predictions.
• Ethical Issues: In the case of sensitive topics where researchers have to mention statements or decisions about individuals and communities, ethical considerations matter a lot. The machine learning process may not consider privacy, consent, and fairness while making predictions. So, students and researchers need to be extra cautious.
• Unfamiliarity with Certain Models: Students already have a lot to learn and understand in their research work. So, they can use this assistance. Understanding the terminology in ML could be challenging. However, there are plenty of resources available that can help you get started. Moreover, it has several subdisciplines, so one needs to focus on areas of interest.

Recommended Reading: Artificial Intelligence vs Machine Learning — Understanding the Differences

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, machine learning models serve a great purpose for research students. Leveraging it can definitely enhance the thesis research. It helps students to analyze complex databases and make meaningful predictions.

However, one thing should be made very clear, students or researchers should not completely rely on its outcome. It is only a tool to simplify research tasks. Use it only when required. It’s most beneficial when students have large volumes of data to research, or if they need to predict trends or rankings.

When utilized carefully, machine learning models can help students complete their research work accurately and on time.

Resources:

Khurana, D., Koli, A., Khatter, K., & Singh, S. (2022). Natural language processing: state of the art, current trends and challenges. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 82(3), 3713–3744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-022-13428-4

Wu, J. (2022, September 8). Effective use of machine learning to empower your research. Times Higher Education. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/effective-use-machine-learning-empower-your-research