ChatGPT is free to use as a member of the University of Oxford (with SSO). Generative AI based on large language models is an extremely useful tool for researchers. Its capabilities are changing monthly and, with this, how it is being used to support research. At present it is proving very useful as a tutor to gain knowledge in areas you are not familiar with, as a coding assistant to create ways to process data and search for information within data, and as a semantic literature searching tool.
You are encouraged to use GenAI in your research including to:
- Summarise texts (including research papers)
- Correct and improve written English and style
- Identify research gaps
- Generate ideas including experiments and research aim ideas
- Draft texts, presentations, press releases, social media posts, reports etc.
- Speed up manual tasks (e.g. writing code, lists, tables etc)
- as a partner in your research but not to lead it
but prioritise human creativity, curiosity and judgement and perform your work with integrity, honesty and transparency. Always acknowledge use of AI in your outputs.
Do not use GenAI to:
- Perform new tasks without checking the accuracy and reliability of results. Aim to ‘test’ AI results by checking the relevant literature yourself and comparing. You can also ask the same question in different ways to ensure consistency of results, or ask for refinement of the output to ensure clarity.
- Generate information which will directly inform work upon which you are being formally assessed (e.g. summative assessment such as Part II, MSc and DPhil theses).
- Communicate AI-generated content that has not been checked for errors (e.g. references, meaning, ‘hallucinations’, appropriate ‘tone’ and ‘voice’).
- Load completed theses or manuscript intended for publication into AI engines with the exception of the Oxford University version of ChatGPT
- Assume work you upload is being made public.
Expectations
- You will declare use of generative AI in outputs communicated or shared with others – take care to ensure quality and accuracy of such outputs.
- Get training where it is available to ensure you are able to effectively use GenAI as a tool in your research.
- Where you used AI tools to summarise literature, correct English and make notes etc make sure that correct attribution to other people’s work (references etc) is made, even if this is not part of the GenAI output.
All staff and students are expected to follow the university AI policy: https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/support-researchers/research-practice/policy-generative-ai-research
Relevant resources for Oxford Students
(1) Policy for using Generative AI in Research: guidelines for researchers and professional staff
(2) FAQs on use of AI in Oxford; Oxford safe and responsible use of AI tools (3) Academic Integrity in Research
Videos
Turing Lecture: What is generative AI and how does it work? – Mirella Lapata
Google: Introduction to Generative AI
