Can I Use ChatGPT to Write My Research Paper? A Quick Guide

So, you've dipped your toes into generative AI (GenAI). Maybe you have asked it some questions, or even tried using it to write an abstract for you.

Pretty impressive stuff, right?

It’s tempting to use it for every writing task, but before you go full steam ahead using ChatGPT to write your next manuscript, let's break down what the STM (the folks who set standards for academic publishing) have to say about it.

Think of this like a cheat sheet for using GenAI responsibly in your work.

✅ What's Okay?

You CAN use AI to help you polish your writing.

Think of it like your personal copy editor available to you 24/7 for $20/month. It can help you refine, correct, format, and edit your text, making it clear and concise.

You can think about it like Grammarly on steroids. AMAZING!

But here's where it stops...

AI shouldn't be used to write the paper for you! For your manuscript to be truly yours, you need to write at the very minimum the first draft. AI can help you refine it, but the original work must come from YOU - a human.

STM makes clear that authors must disclose any use of GenAI that goes beyond those basic author support uses such as editing so that the editor can decide whether it's legitimate or not.

Frustratingly, the STM report remains vague on this point and does not provide specific examples of what might fall into this grey area between basic editing and more substantial contributions.

Pro Tip: Keep a record of your prompts as evidence in case the editor asks. This might even become part of the paper’s supplementary materials. Along this line, I’ve noticed that many universities are already requiring students to provide prompt records when submitting their theses. It’s all about transparency.

❌ What's a No-Go?

• GenAI cannot be used to create, manipulate or analyse data. Your research needs to be genuine, and that means no using GenAI to fiddle with images, manipulate measurements, or p-hacking.
• Can ChatGPT be my co-author? Nope. GenAI is a tool, not an author. You can't credit it as a co-author on your paper. You are the brains behind the operation.
• Confidentiality is Key: Don't upload your manuscript to publicly available GenAI platforms like ChatGPT or Claude. These platforms' terms and conditions allow them to use your inputs as training data, which means other users could potentially access your information without your knowledge. It's like leaving your research notes on a park bench – anyone could access them! This is a big no-no for confidentiality, copyright, and privacy reasons.

A Final Word of Caution

Remember, GenAI is still under development, and it can sometimes make mistakes. Always double-check its outputs and don't rely on it blindly. You are responsible for the integrity of your work, even if you use GenAI.

I hope you found this guide helpful. It might not be what you wanted to hear, but it's what you needed to hear to stay out of trouble.

Over time, using AI for writing tasks beyond basic editing will likely become more accepted, but we're still in the early days of the AI revolution, and we need to play it safe. By following the STM guidelines, you can harness the power of GenAI while maintaining the integrity and ethics of your research.

Curious to learn more? Join us for our next GenAI workshop and take your AI skills to the next level. More info and registration on this page.

Happy writing! (with your 🤖 assistant)

Originally posted on the Animate Your Science blog.