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AI Guide

Resources and tips to help researchers effectively and ethically use AI tools

Academic Integrity

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"'Academic dishonesty' means employing a method or technique or engaging in conduct in an academic endeavor that contravenes the standards of ethical integrity expected at the University of Houston-Clear Lake or by a course instructor to fulfill any and all academic requirements."

- UHCL Academic Honesty Policy

 

Generative AI services have an opportunity to help take your scholarly research to the next level if used correctly. AI can be used incorrectly and can conflict with the academic integrity at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Here are some ways to avoid academic dishonesty when using generative AI services.

Information Has Value

"The value of information is manifested in various contexts, including publishing practices, access to information, the commodification of personal information, and intellectual property laws" (ACRL Frameworks, 2015). Before we discuss the issues and ethics behind using generative AI for research, it is important to understand that you have a responsibility, not only as an information consumer, but as an information producer to ensure the information you produce is ethical, correct, and free of biases. The video below will give you a brief introduction to what this means for you and your research. 

 

Known Ethical Issues With AI

Generative AI poses several known issues for academic users. The foremost concern is unauthorized content generation (UCG), where academic work is produced, in whole or part, for credit or progression without proper approval or acknowledgment of assistance (Foltynek et al., 2023). This not only risks unintentional plagiarism but also legal repercussions for stolen property (Appel et al., 2023).

Additionally, generative AI outputs may contain biased, inaccurate, or incorrect content due to the inherent biases in the training data, reflecting historical or social inequities (Foltynek et al., 2023). Researchers must acknowledge and address these issues when utilizing AI in their work.

Tips To Use AI Ethically

Generative AI can be a helpful research tool when used ethically. Here are some tips for using AI tools ethically. 

Acknowledge use of AI tools when used.  This can be done through citations, and statements in the essay or assignment. Statements should be specific on how and where it was used in the final product.

"In an educational context, undeclared and/or unauthorized usage of AI tools to produce work for academic credit or progression (e.g. students’ assignments, theses or dissertations) may be considered a form of academic misconduct" (Foltynek et al., 2023).

Ethical Application of AI Tools in Academia

  • Ways AI can assist you in the research process: spell-check, and word structure.
  • AI is useful for initial brainstorming. It can help with tasks such as: 
    • Developing a research question
    • Identifying viewpoints of arguments to support your question
    • Identifying key topics for your research question
    • Identify talking points from a paper you have written
  • Use AI for assisting you in the research process:
    • Identify keywords in your research question
    • Identifying other perspectives or arguments that you may not recognize
    • Identifying existing approaches to your research
    • Outlines for your paper

Question the results

  • Does the result make sense for what you are researching?
  • Evaluate any sources or origins of work that are provided
  • Trace back any data that is given - remember that falsification or fabricating data is also an unethical act

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