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Turku University Library

Librarian's guide to Artificial Intelligence

Use of AI in a Turku University thesis

The teaching and learning council of Turku University has in October 2023 stated:

In their thesis, the students should tell if they have used artificial intelligence to help do the work and how they have used it. The student tells this at the beginning of the work in the introduction-section, or as further instructed by the instructor.

When writing your thesis, please refer to your instructor for more information.

Citing Artificial Intelligence

According to the university's Guideline on Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Studying, an AI application is not considered an actor, and thus, it is not a source either. Generally, AI applications are not regarded as an author or a literary source.

It's in line with good scientific practice to cite everything that isn't your own thought. If you use text generated by AI in your work, it should be cited. Describe in your text how you used the AI (e.g., prompts you provided) and present the AI-generated content (e.g., as an appendix). Always try to find the original sources and cite them. Describe your use of artificial intelligence, for example, in an introduction or following the instructions of the department/publisher.

When using AI applications in research, it's essential, per good scientific practice, to describe how the applications were utilized, especially in the context of explaining research methods. Documenting the use of an AI application is crucial because nobody can replicate it as is, and one cannot link directly to AI conversations. If you're publishing work that contains AI-generated content, check the publisher's stance on using AI and how to cite it. Some publishers might not approve the use of AI, in which case you cannot cite it.

If you use AI applications to create illustrations or other creative outputs, for example, then you also need to accurately describe the role of AI in the process.

Below are examples of how to cite ChatGPT using different citation styles. These models can also be applied to other AI applications. In citation styles, references to AI applications are comparable to personal communication, correspondence, or software.

 

MLA

"Text of prompt" prompt. ChatGPT, Day Month version, OpenAI, Day Month Year, chat.openai.com/chat.

  • Works Cited example: “Tell me about confirmation bias” prompt. ChatGPT, 12 Apr. version, OpenAI, 12 Apr. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
  • In-text citation: (“Tell me about”)

MLA created a resource on how to cite ChatGPT and other AI sources.

 

APA

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

  • Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
  • Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

APA created a resource with their recommendations on how to cite ChatGPT.

 

Chicago Manual of Style

Numbered footnote or endnote:
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, March 31, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

2. ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” March 7, 2023, OpenAI.

In-text citation:

“The following recipe for pizza dough was generated by ChatGPT”

(ChatGPT, March 7, 2023)

The Chicago Manual of style has recommendations on how to cite AI tools.

 

References:

University of Minnesota. (2023). ChatGPT and other AI tools. https://libguides.umn.edu/c.php?g=1314591&p=9664746 

The University of Queensland. (2023). Referencing ChatGPT and other generative AI tools guide. https://guides.library.uq.edu.au/referencing/chatgpt-and-generative-ai-tools#s-lg-box-22362855

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Scribbr.com. (2023). ChatGPT Citations. https://www.scribbr.com/ai-tools/chatgpt-citations/

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Page updated on September 2, 2024.