Effective Prompting Strategies in Utilizing ChatGPT for Final Year Thesis Writing: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT, has influenced academic writing in higher education. This study conducted a systematic literature review using the PRISMA framework, analyzing 10 studies published between 2023 and 2025 in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The findings show that structured and context-specific prompting strategies help improve idea generation, proposal organization, and draft refinement processes. The benefits include greater efficiency, creativity, and clarity, while challenges remain regarding academic integrity, over-reliance, and digital literacy. This review concludes that prompting is not only a technical skill but also an academic practice that requires guidance from experts. To maximize its benefits, higher education institutions must integrate AI literacy and prompt design training into their curricula. Universities also need to establish clear institutional policies to ensure the ethical use of ChatGPT in thesis writing. By embedding these practices, academic communities can benefit from the potential of generative AI while safeguarding academic standards and student’s independence.