Determinants of researchers’ intentions to utilize ChatGPT: insights from Türkiye and the United Kingdom

This study examines the factors that motivate and demotivate Social Sciences researchers’ intention to use ChatGPT, a widely adopted generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, and compares the usage experiences of researchers in Tu¨rkiye and the UK. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study follows a comparative case study design to explore these dynamics across different cultural contexts. Data were collected from 28 participants through semi-structured interviews, using the purposive sampling technique. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes and categories related to motivation, demotivation and user experience. The findings reveal that factors such as language support, assistant and mentor support, research speed enhancement, methodology support, individual capability enhancement, education and training support, environmental support motivate researchers to use ChatGPT. On the other hand, ethical concerns, negative features of ChatGPT, time management inadequacy, lack of individual competencies and sustainability concerns demotivate researchers. Moreover, user experiences were categorized into three themes: positive, negative and unusual experiences. The comparison between Tu¨rkiye and the UK revealed distinct patterns in motivation, demotivation and user experience. This study contributes to the theoretical expansion of UTAUT2 in academic contexts and offers practical implications for the effective and ethical integration of ChatGPT in higher education.