Chatting with Pythons: using ChatGPT and Python computer code to screen abstracts for systematic literature reviews in complex disciplines

Abstract Literature reviews are essential to scientific research; but abstract screening is time intensive, subject to human error and is a non-creative task, arguably impeding research development. Publicly available generative AI is revolutionising human activity creating new opportunities alongside new challenges for academic research. Studies have illustrated the power of AI in abstract screening for discrete exact science projects. However, individual researchers or small research teams, may lack the skills to independently use AI tools in a systematic, reproducible, transparent, and expandable manner. Also, AI’s capabilities to explore complex human activity is unclear. Here we demonstrate ChatGPT’s abilities to screen abstracts examining complex problems intersecting education, language, and human activity, in a manner that is systematic, reproducible, and transparent. We further demonstrate how coding-naïve researchers can use publicly available education in AI prompt engineering and Python computer coding using ChatGPT as a knowledgeable companion alongside assistance from interdisciplinary colleagues to use ChatGPT effectively. The result is an efficient first-line screening tool for academic researchers. We share our publicly available Python computer coding script with interdisciplinary colleagues to facilitate their exploration with AI as a screening tool.