You used ChatGPT to HELP with the writing of your research paper? Good. You should. But here’s the line: use it as a tool, not a ghostwriter.
AI can support your process: editing drafts, formatting references, summarizing articles. That’s responsible use. Now make sure to disclose AI use somewhere prominent in your paper like in the Introduction or Methods section!
But dropping a prompt into ChatGPT and pasting the output into your paper? That’s not research. That’s outsourcing thought. If you’re working under APA guidelines, here’s something for you:
I’ve created a clear visual guide on how to cite ChatGPT properly, based on Timothy McAdoo’s post on the official APA blog. As such, the insights included herein reflect APA’s actual position.
I’ve also added a bonus: a PDF with
1. APA citation formats
2. Tips on disclosing AI use
3. Copyright guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office
APA Guidelines on How to Cite ChatGPT
Here are some of the main points I summarized from APA blog concerning how to cite ChatGPT:
1. When to Cite ChatGPT
- Cite ChatGPT when you reproduce text it generated in your work.
- Explain how you used ChatGPT in the Method section or Introduction, depending on context.
- Always include the prompt used and the AI-generated response, either in the text or in an appendix.
2. In-Text Citation Format
- Narrative: OpenAI (2023). Example: According to OpenAI (2023), the notion of left-brain versus right-brain dominance is largely considered a myth.
- Parenthetical: (OpenAI, 2023). Example: The response stated that “the idea of people being strictly ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is an oversimplification” (OpenAI, 2023).
3. Reference List Entry
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
- Author: OpenAI
- Date: Year of the version used (e.g., 2023)
- Title: ChatGPT (Version) — italicized, with version in parentheses
- Bracketed Description: [Large language model]
- Source: Direct URL (no need to repeat OpenAI as publisher)
4. Appendices or Supplemental Materials
- Include full responses in an appendix or supplemental material if they’re long or essential to your work.
- Label clearly and reference them in the body of your paper.
5. Not Personal Communication
- ChatGPT is not a personal communication source because it’s not a human.
- Its outputs are algorithmic, so it requires formal citation like software.
APA Tips for Using AI in Scholarly Publications
Here’s a concise summary of the APA tips for using AI in scholarly publications:
- Disclosure Required: Any use of generative AI must be disclosed in the methods section and properly cited.
- AI Is Not an Author: AI tools cannot be credited as authors.
- Use Software Citation Format: Follow the APA software citation template, detailing how, when, and why the AI was used.
- Supplemental Material: The full AI output must be uploaded as supplemental material.
- Author Responsibility: Authors are responsible for verifying all AI-generated content including facts and citations.
- Limited Use Allowed: AI tools can be used for specific tasks like editing, but this must be disclosed.
- Confidentiality Rule: Authors must not input unpublished or confidential material into AI tools.
Copyright and AI: Key Tips for Creators
Here’s a concise list of tips based on the U.S. Copyright Office’s policy statement on works containing AI-generated content:
Use Tools, Not Creators
Using AI as a tool (like Photoshop or a music pedal) is acceptable, what matters is whether you control the creative expression.
Human Authorship Required
Only human-created content is eligible for copyright protection. AI-generated material alone cannot be copyrighted.
AI Is Not an Author
You cannot name an AI tool or company as an author or co-author on a copyright registration.
Disclose AI Use Clearly
If your work contains AI-generated elements, you must explicitly disclose them in your copyright application.
Describe Your Contribution
In the “Author Created” section, describe only the human-authored portions of the work.
Exclude AI Material
Use the “Limitation of Claim” section to exclude AI-generated content that is more than minimal.
Case-by-Case Review
The Copyright Office evaluates works individually, assessing the extent of human creativity and control.
Creative Input Matters
If you creatively select, arrange, or modify AI-generated content, your contributions may be copyrightable even if the AI content is not.
Update Past Registrations
If you registered a work containing AI-generated content without disclosure, you must file a supplementary registration to correct the record.
Omissions Can Invalidate Registration
Failure to disclose AI involvement can lead to registration cancellation or legal challenges in court.
Final thoughts
AI belongs in academic research as a thinking partner, not a replacement for your voice. Use ChatGPT to refine your work, organize your sources, and improve clarity. Disclose how and when you’ve used it. Own your contributions and make your role as the researcher unmistakable. This visual guide and PDF outline how to stay aligned with APA standards while using AI effectively and ethically.
References
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA publishing policies. APA. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/resources/publishing-policies?tab=4
- McAdoo, T. (2023, April 7). How to cite ChatGPT [Blog post]. APA Style Blog. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
- U.S. Copyright Office. (2023, March 16). Copyright registration guidance: Works containing material generated by artificial intelligence [Policy statement]. Federal Register, 88(51), 16190–16194. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/16/2023-05321/copyright-registration-guidance-works-containing-material-generated-by-artificial-intelligence
