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Generative AI and Research

This guide is designed to support faculty and instructors as they navigate research and information literacy concerns caused by the rise of generative AI technology.

AI Citation Resources for Students

The citation information below is to help students cite AI content in their research project according to MLA, APA, and Chicago styles. This page contains content from our AI Citation page located in our Citation Styles guide. Please share this page or our other citation guide with your students. 

Before using generative AI in course assignments

Before making use of any generative AI tool (such as Chat GPT) for class assignments, consult your instructor and your syllabus for guidance on class policies regarding using, quoting, and citing generative AI.

Some possible examples of how you might use generative AI include:

  • citing or referencing in the text or list of references
  • inclusion in your methodology
  • an appendix including a full transcript of any prompts and AI-generated responses

Whichever citation style you use, you need to cite sources that contributed to your ideas, written work, images, video or other products you create. That means including:

  • ChatBot or generative AI website
  • date or version of the model
  • prompt used

What is generative AI?

Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) describes algorithms that can be used to create new content including text, audio, code, images, and videos using machine learning from data patterns.

Examples of generative AI:

  • OpenAI's ChatGPT
  • OpenAI's DALL-E
  • Google's Bard
  • Microsoft's Bing

Citing generative AI in MLA Style

Template for Works Cited entry

 "Prompt Given to ChatBot" prompt. Title of the AI tool, version of AI tool,  Chatbot Publisher, Date content was generated, URL for the tool or conversation

Example Works Cited entry

 

 "Describe the symbolism of Anne's red hair in Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery" prompt. ChatGPT,  24 May version, OpenAI,  12 June 2023, https://chat.openai.com/share/6850690a-1480-406f-939d-856d171af11d

Example for in-text citation

("Describe the symbolism")

Citing generative AI in APA Style

Template for References

Name/Author of the Chatbot/Model. (Year of the version you used).  Title the model (version of the model) [Type of model]. URL

Example Reference

 

OpenAI. (2023).  ChatGPT (May 24 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Example for in-text citation

(OpenAI, 2023).

Citing generative AI in Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style recommends that you cite the generative AI tool as a footnote but not list it in a bibliography, treating the exchange like a personal communication.

Template:

Text generated by AI Tool, Date, Tool Creator/Owner, url

Example for footnote if you've listed the prompt in the text:

 Text generated by ChatGPT, March 7, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat
In this example, your work already includes the prompt in the text (e.g., "The following example of symbolism in the book was generated by ChatGPT").

Example for footnote if you haven't listed the prompt in the text:

ChatGPT, response to "explain the significance of Anne's red hair in Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery," March 7, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat
In this example, you have a footnote attached to the quote or paraphrased information from the generative AI, but haven't told the reader what instructions you gave the tool. In that case, the prompt should be included in your footnote.