Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship AI Policy, Approved by URC 6/2024

Background Information

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a fast-evolving and readily available tool for use in the educational process and academic research, and knowing how and when to appropriately use AI is an emerging skill.  Rules must be established that guide the use of AI in higher education to ensure academic integrity and uphold quality standards for students engaging with AI technologies in the research and scholarly process.  This is especially true for undergraduate scholarly activities.

Generative AI Use in Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) Applications and Proposals

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT in a program proposal, research proposal, or application essay must adhere to the following to ensure academic integrity and uphold quality standards for students engaging with AI technologies in academic research, scholarship, and creative work:

1. AI-Generated content includes any content produced or significantly assisted by AI-powered systems.
2. AI-generated content may be used as a tool to assist in the writing process but not as a replacement for original thought, analysis, and critical thinking.
3. If AI tools are used during the development of the program proposal, research proposal, or application essay, their use must be disclosed in the proposal/essay and students must clearly identify which part(s) of their work was generated or significantly influenced by AI, making sure to provide proper citation and attribution where appropriate. (See APA guidelines)
4. Failure to adhere to this policy may be considered a violation of the GVSU Student Code of Conduct and GVSU research integrity policies.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in OURS Supported Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT, in a research/ scholarly manuscript, creative work, program reflection, or project report must adhere to the following to ensure academic integrity and uphold quality standards for students engaging with AI technologies in academic research, scholarship, and creative work:

1. AI-generated content includes any content produced or significantly assisted by AI-powered systems.
2. AI-generated content may be used as a tool to assist research and scholarship but not as a replacement for original thought, analysis, and critical thinking.
3. Students using AI for a research project, a research manuscript, or creative work must have documented prior approval from their faculty advisor for the project.
4. If AI tools are used, their use must be disclosed in the acknowledgment section of the research project, a research manuscript, or creative work and students must clearly identify which part(s) of their work was generated or significantly influenced by AI, making sure to provide proper citation and attribution where appropriate. (See APA guidelines)
5. The final responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and academic integrity of a research project, a research manuscript, or creative work produced with the assistance of AI lies with the student.
6. Failure to adhere to this policy may be considered a violation of the GVSU Student Code of Conduct and GVSU research integrity policies.