This Element explores GenAI's promise and risks in educational research, urging ethical use, critical study, and clear examples.

Artificial Intelligence technologies have impacted our world in ways we could not have imagined a decade ago. Generative AI (GenAI), a powerful, complex and general use subset of AI has become available to the public in recent years. GenAI's effect on education, research, and academic practice is far-reaching and exciting, yet also deeply concerning. While GenAI has the potential to offer transformation in the practice of educational research, there are few resources which clarify why, when, and how these tools might be used ethically and sensitively. This Element introduces key areas of consideration for education researchers seeking to use GenAI, including examining the existing research, critically evaluating the benefits and risks of GenAI in educational research, and providing example use-cases of good and bad practice.