Final Qualification Paper in University in the Context of Artificial Intelligence Proliferation: University Students’ Perspective

Final qualifying paper is the important part of university studies, demonstrating the quality of students’ mastering of the educational program. However, in the context of the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), the question arises about the objectivity and appropriateness of using this form of assessment. In order to make informed decisions in this area, it is necessary to analyze the opinion of the main educational stakeholders. Despite the numerous surveys of students regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the learning process, there are practically no works aimed at identifying the practices and strategies of students’ use of AI in research activities. This article aims to fill the existing gap. The aim of the study is to identify the attitude of senior undergraduates of the Higher School of Foreign Languages and Translation Studies of Kazan Federal University to the process of writing and defending the final qualifying paper in the context of AI proliferation. The results of interpreting the survey of graduates allow the authors to determine a positive trend in the undergraduate’s interaction with the supervisor as compared to the similar surveys conducted before. An obvious challenge to the system of higher education appeared the critical attitude of students to “Antiplagiarism” system and a tendency to a positive perception of the AI role in writing a thesis (only 10,7% of respondents consider the use of AI in writing a final paper unethical). At the same time, there is a direct link between the use of AI and ethical approval of its use. However, the authors predict the improvement in the situation after the introduction of lecture and practical disciplines and research practice during the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. The assumption is based, as provided in the article, on the best practice of organizing research work of the students majoring in Linguistics. It is implemented in various forms: lecture courses, practical classes, field practice, final paper draft defense as well as mock defense of the bachelor’s qualifying paper. The authors come to the conclusion that an increase in the quality of training a university graduate is possible with the implementation of a comprehensive differentiated approach to the organization of research work combined with effective tackling of ethical problems of scientific activity of a university student.

1. Črček, N., Patekar, J. (2023). Writing with AI: University Students’ Use of ChatGPT. Journal of Language and Education. Vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 128-138, doi: 10.17323/jle.2023.17379

2. Parker, L., Carter, C.W., Karakas, A., Loper, A.J., Sokkar A. (2023). Ethics and Improvement: Undergraduate Students’ Use of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Endeavors. International Journal of Intelligent Computing Research. Vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1187-1194, doi: 10.20533/ijicr.2042.4655.2023.0146

3. Chan, C.K.Y., Hu, W. (2023). Students’ Voices on Generative AI: Perceptions, Benefits, and Challenges in Higher Education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Vol. 20, article no. 43, doi: 10.1186/s41239-023-00411-8

4. Rowland, D.R. (2023). Two Frameworks to Guide Discussions around Levels of Acceptable Use of Generative AI in Student Academic Research and Writing. Journal of Academic Language and Learning. Vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 31-69. Available at: https://journal.aall.org.au/index.php/jall/article/view/915 (accessed: 05.04.2025).

5. Narbut, N.P., Aleshkovski, I.A., Gasparishvili, A.T., Krukhmaleva, O.V., Savina, N.E. (2023). Students’ Engagement in Research at the University: a Sociological Analysis. Vestnik RUDN. Seria: Sotziologia = RUDN Journal of Sociology. Vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 256-271, doi: 10.22363/2313-2272-2023-23-2-256-271 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

6. Khanov, T.A., Bashirov, A.V. (2021). Research Work of Students at the University: Reasons for the Decline in Activity. Sovremenniye naukoemkie tekhnologii = Modern Science-Intensive Technologies. Vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 209-214, doi: 10.17513/snt.38724 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

7. Khamidullina, L.K., Bobkova, E.A. (2024). Development of Scientific Mentoring in the Educational Organization of Higher Education. Sotzialno-gumanitarnie znaniya = Social and Humanitarian Knowledge. No. 3, pp. 63-66. Available at: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=65486346 (accessed: 05.04.2025).

8. Buymov, A.G., Pokholkov, Y.P., Tarasenko, V.F. (2020). Gleicher’s Formula in Solving the Problem of Plagiarism and Managing Students’ Research Work. Doklady TUSUR = Proceedings of TUSUR University. Vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 78-84, doi: 10.21293/1818-0442-2020-23-4-78-84 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

9. Levin, V.I. (2018). [Plagiarism, its Essence and Measures to Prevent and Handle It]. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. No. 1 (219), pp. 143-150. Available at: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=32334342 (accessed: 05.04.2025). (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

10. Kumar, R. (2025). Understanding PSE Students’ Reactions to the Postplagiarism Concept: A Quantitative Analysis. International Journal for Educational Integrity. 2025. Vol. 21, article no. 9, doi: 10.1007/s40979-025-00182-x

11. Pleshchenko, V.I. (2018). [The Problem of Plagiarism in Scientific Publications and Graduation Research Papers]. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 27, no. 8-9, pp. 62-70, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2018-27-8-9-62-70 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

12. Bazhanov, V.A., Kozina, O.A. (2019). The Plagiarism Phenomenon and its Perception in the Academia. Vestnik Tomskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Filosofiya. Sotsiologiya. Politologiya = Tomsk State University Journal of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science. No. 48, pp. 225-235, doi: 10.17223/1998863Х/48/22 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

13. Aleshkovski, I.A., Gasparishvili, A.T., Narbut, N.P., Krukhmaleva, O.V., Savina, N.E. (2024). Russian Students on the Potential and Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Vestnik RUDN. Seria: Sotziologiya = RUDN Journal of Sociology. Vol. 24 (2), pp. 335-353, doi: 10.22363/2313-2272-2024-24-2-335-353 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

14. Ananin, D.P., Komarov R.V., Remorenko, I.M. (2025). When Honesty is Good, for Imitation is Bad”: Strategies for Using Generative Artificial Intelligence in Russian Higher Education Institutions. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii= Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 31-50, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2025-34-2-31-50 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

15. Sysoyev, P.V. (2024). Ethics and AI-Plagiarism in an Academic Environment: Students’ Understanding of Compliance with Author’s Ethics and the Problem of Plagiarism in the Process of Interaction with Generative Artificial Intelligence. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 31-53, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-2-31-53 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

16. Lapteva, O.I., Kornilova, A.G. (2020). Motivation of Students of Technical Specialties for Scientific Activity. Mir nauki. Pedagogika i psykhologiya = World of Science. Pedagogy and psychology. Vol. 6, no. 8. Available at: https://mir-nauki.com/PDF/10PDMN620.pdf (accessed: 05.04.2025). (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

17. Pisareva, S.A., Brazhnik, E.I., Gladkaya, I.V., Piskunova, E.V., Fedorova, N.M. (2024). Studying the Peculiarities of the Universities Students’ Motivation for Research Activities. Science for Education Today. Vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 24-53, doi: 10.15293/2658-6762.2401.02 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

18. Ebzeeva, Yu.N. (2022). Grant Support as a Research Development Factor in Russian Universities. Vestnik RUDN: Psykhologiya i pedagogika = RUDN Journal of Psychology and Pedagogics. Vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 146-157, doi: 10.22363/2313-1683-2022-19-1-146-157 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

19. Ambarova, P.A., Shabrova, N.V. (2024). Measures to Support Students’ Research Activities and Scientific Mentoring in Russian Universities. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 33, no. 10, pp. 60-82, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-10-60-82 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

20. Salavatulina, L.R. (2019). Tutor Support of Scientific Research Activities of Students. Vestnik Yujno-Uralskogo Gosudarstvennogo Gumanitarno-pedagogicheskogo Universiteta = South Ural State Humanitarian Pedagogical University Bulletin. No. 2, pp. 167-178, doi: 10.25588/ CSPU.2019.13.60.012 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

21. Sokolova, M.V., Glebov, G.E. (2024). Scientific Mentoring in the Higher Education System: the Results of an Empirical Study. Pedagogika i Prosveshenie = Pedagogy and Education. Vol. 2, doi: 10.7256/2454-0676.2024.2.70880 (In Russ).

22. Perestorina, M.V., Korpacheva, O.V., Toropov, A.P. (2023). Scientific Research Work of Students in the Eyes of Students in a Medical University. Problemy sovremennogo pedagogitcheskogo obrazovaniya = Problems of Modern Pedagogical Education. No. 80-1, pp. 235-238. Available at: https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=54918350 (accessed: 05.04.2025). (In Russ.).

23. Akhmadova, T.Kh., Bashaev, S.A., Magomedova, P.I. (2023). Formation of Ideas of First-Year Students about Research Activities. Problemy sovremennogo pedagogitcheskogo obrazovaniya = Problems of Modern Pedagogical Education. No. 81-2, pp. 75-77. Available at: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=60773968 (accessed: 05.04.2025). (In Russ.).

24. Goşa, C. (2022). Perceptions and Attitudes of BA and MA Graduating Students in Philology Towards the Writing of their Final Research Papers. A Survey-Based Case Study. Romanian Journal of English Studies. Vol. 19, pp. 78-87, doi: 10.2478/rjes-2022-0010

25. Eremenko, T.V. (2024). Pedagogical Tools for the Prevention of Academic Dishonesty of Students (Analysis of Research by Russian Authors). Vestnik Vyatskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta = Herald of Vyatka State University. Vol. 151, no. 1, pp. 60-68, doi: 10.25730/VSU.7606.24.007 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

26. Chekhovich, Y.V., Belenkaya, O.S. (2023). Plagiarism in Secondary School: Minor Inaction with Major Consequences. Integratziya obrazovaniya = Integration of Education. Vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 447-467, doi: 10.15507/1991-9468.112.027.202303.447-467 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

27. Katsko, S.Yu., Kokorina, I.P. (2021). Check of Graduation Qualification Works: Correct Quotation, Plagiarism and Originality of the Text. Aktualnye voprosy obrazovaniya = Current Educational Issues. Vol. 1, pp. 142-145, doi: 10.33764/2618-8031-2021-1-142-145 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

28. Eaton, S.E. (2023). Postplagiarism: Transdisciplinary Ethics and Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Neurotechnology. International Journal for Educational Integrity. Vol. 19, article no. 23, doi: 10.1007/s40979-023-00144-1

29. Glubokova, E.N., Kalabina, I.A., Rivkina, S.V. (2024). Preparation of Final Qualifying Work at a University: The View of Modern Students. Perspektivy nauki i obrazovania = Perspectives of Science and Education. Vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 201-215, doi: 10.32744/pse.2024.2.12 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

30. Ratner, F.L. (1999). Psikhologo-pedagogitcheskie uslovia razvitia tvortsheskikh sposobnostey studentov v nauchnoy deyatelnosti: otetshcestvenny i zarubejny opyt. Uchebno-metoditcheskoe posobie [Psychological and Pedagogical Conditions of Development of Students’ Creative Abilities in Scientific Activity: National and International Experience. Educational and Methodical Handbook] Kazan: KGU Publ. 44 p. (In Russ.).

31. Playfoot, D., Quigley, M., Thomas, A.G. (2024). Hey ChatGPT, Give Me a Title for a Paper about Degree Apathy and Student Use of AI for Assignment Writing. The Internet and Higher Education. Vol. 62, article no. 100950, doi: 10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100950

32. Orbodoeva, L.M., Sambueva, V.B., Taraskina, Ya.W. (2021). Practical-Oriented Approach to Preparation of Linguistics Bachelor’s Thesis. Uchenie Zapiski Zabaykalskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta = Scholarly Notes of Transbaikal State University. Vol. 16, no. 4, рр. 107-113, doi: 10.21209/2658-7114-2021-16-4-107-113 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

33. Dalalah, D., Dalalah, O.M.A. (2023). The False Positives and False Negatives of Generative AI Detection Tools in Education and Academic Research: The Case of ChatGPT. The International Journal of Management Education. Vol. 21, no. 2, doi: 10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100822

34. Weber-Wulff, D., Anohina-Naumeca, A., Bjelobaba, S., Foltýnek, T., Guerrero-Dib, J., Popoola, O., Šigut, P., Waddington, L. (2023). Testing of Detection Tools for AI-generated Text. International Journal for Educational Integrity. Vol. 19, article no. 26, doi: 10.1007/s40979-023-00146-z

35. Ambarova, P.A., Shabrova, N.V., Kemmet, E.V., Mikhailova, A.N. (2023). Research Culture of Russian University Students. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 96-116, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2023-32-7-96-116 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

36. Sabirova, D.R., Pomortseva, N.P., Shishkina, Yu.A. (2024). Conditions for Improving the Quality of School Students’ Research Work in a Foreign Language. Kazanskiy lingvisticheskiy jurnal = Kazan Linguistic Journal. Vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 145-157, doi: 10.26907/2658-3321.2024.7.2.145-157 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

37. Tikhonova, N.V., Ratner, F.L., Vergasova, I.Y. (2024). Mentoring in Education: an Analysis of International Practices and their Implementation in Russia. Obrazovanie i nauka = The Education and Science Journal. Vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 124-151, doi: 10.17853/1994-5639-2024-5-124-151 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

38. Ratner, F.L., Tikhonova, N.V. (2019). Quality of Education: Pedagogical Aspect. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 28, no. 12, pp. 87-96, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2019-28-12-87-96 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).

39. Bobyreva, N.N., Pomortseva, N.P., Zorina, A.V. (2019). Supervising the Research Work of Students of Linguistics Major: Current Issues and Prospects. In: 11th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Palma, 1-3 July, 2019, pp. 9169-9175, doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2019.2265

40. Fajt, B., Schiller, E. (2025). Hungarian University Students’ Perceptions of Plagiarism. International Journal for Educational Integrity. Vol. 21, article no. 5, doi: 10.1007/s40979-024-00169-0

41. Kashina, M.A., Vasilyeva, V.A., Tkach, S. (2024). “If the End Justifies the Means, Then This Is Permissible...”: Academic Deviations of Russian Postgraduate Students in Socio-Humanitarian Areas. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia. Vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 84-103, doi: 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-3-84-103 (In Russ., abstract in Eng.).