The Influence of ChatGPT Usage on Critical Thinking Skills and Thesis Quality Among 2022 Cohort Islamic Religious Education (PAI) Students at STIT Al-Quraniyah, Manna, South Bengkulu
Abstract
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly ChatGPT, has brought about changes in the learning process and the drafting of academic papers in higher education. The use of ChatGPT can assist students in gathering information, structuring outlines, developing ideas, and improving the quality of academic language. However, improper use also carries the potential to diminish critical thinking skills and reduce the originality of academic work. This study aims to analyze the impact of ChatGPT usage on the critical thinking skills and thesis quality of students in the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) Study Program, Class of 2022, at STIT Al-Quraniyah Manna, South Bengkulu. The study employs a quantitative approach using an ex post facto research design. The research population consists of PAI students from the Class of 2022 at STIT Al-Quraniyah Manna, South Bengkulu. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire that had undergone validity and reliability testing. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, classical assumption tests, simple linear regression, t-tests, and the coefficient of determination. The results indicate that ChatGPT usage has a positive and significant effect on students' critical thinking skills, with a significance value of 0.000 (<0.05) and an influence contribution of 94.8%. Furthermore, ChatGPT usage also has a positive and significant effect on the quality of students' theses, with a significance value of 0.000 (<0.05) and an influence contribution of 94.7%. These findings demonstrate that the appropriate use of ChatGPT can serve as a supportive learning tool capable of enhancing critical thinking skills while facilitating the production of higher-quality theses. Nevertheless, its use requires supervision, information verification, and adherence to academic ethics to prevent dependency and avoid compromising the originality of academic work.
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