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AI & Research

Use this guide to learn how to use AI ethically and effectively to enhance your learning.

Best: Find the Original Source

If you want to use specific information or data generated by AI, try to locate and credit the original source. Remember that Generative AI is designed to produce the most plausible answer from large data sources.

Why should you cite the original source?

  • To make your argument more believable
  • To verify that the information is correct
  • To give proper credit to the original creator

Better: Cite AI

Citing AI will look different depending on each course and professor's expectation. It may be a short note on how you used AI to revise your grammar or refine your topic. If you are including specific language or concepts, use the citation guide below to cite your prompt.

MLA

MLA Citation of AI-Generated Material
  In-Text Citation Works Cited Page
Format ("Shortened prompt title") "Prompt title." Generative AI Tool, Version of Tool, Company That Made the Tool, Date of Prompt, general URL.
Example ("In 200 words") “In 200 words, describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby” follow-up prompt to list sources. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 9 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

MLA does not consider Generative AI, like ChatGPT, as an author.

APA

APA Citation of AI-Generated Material
  In-Text Citation Works Cited Page
Format (Company, Date of Prompt)

Company. (Date of Prompt). Product (Version) [Type of Product]. General URL
Example (OpenAI, 2023) OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Chicago

In the Notes-Bibliography version of Chicago, AI-generated content is only cited in the notes, not the bibliography.

Chicago Citation of AI-Generated Material
  In-Text Note Bibliography
Format Text generated by Product, Company, Date of Prompt, General URL.

N/A
Sample Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat. N/A

Bad: Not Acknowledging the Use of AI

If you are unsure about an application of AI, ask your professor and acknowledge how you used AI on your assignment.

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