APA 7th Referencing Guide

This advice is as of 12th May, 2023

Generative AI tools can be used to create content such as text, images or music. For more information, read about the use of generative AI tools for your studies on the  Academic Integrity and Turnitin page.

If you have used a generative AI tool in your assessment, you need to acknowledge this use as part of your commitment to academic integrity at SCU. Discuss with your Unit Assessor if you are not sure about how you can use generative AI tools in your studies.

Quoting or referring to ChatGPT’s text is like sharing an algorithm’s output and the ‘author’ of the algorithm needs to be credited with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation. It is recommended to include the full transcript in an appendix.

Example:

When given a follow up prompt of "what is a...?" the ChatGPT-generated text indicated "abc and xyz" (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Generative AI tools are an emerging technology, so this advice on how to reference your use of a generative AI tool may change. Keep checking this guide for updated information.

• Some units require you to add a brief statement, saying whether or not you have used AI tools in the writing or editing of your assignments. Tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Quilbot etc may be picked up as AI. If you have used AI tools to help produce information, create a paraphrase, or you have quoted from ChatGPT or any other software, you need to include an in-text citation and reference list entry.
• If you have only used tools such as Grammarly for assistance with grammatical errors a brief acknowledgment statement only may be necessary. An in-text citation and including a reference list entry isn't required.

The following examples are adapted from the APA templates for software. 

Elements of the reference

Author of AI model. (Year of AI model used). Name of AI model (Version of AI model used) [Type or description of AI model]. URL 

In-text citation

(OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix B for the full transcript) OR (OpenAI, 2023)

Reference list

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/ 

Grammarly. (2024). Grammarly (Version 1.2.78.1397) [Large language model]. https://www.grammarly.com/

The full transcript of prompt(s) and response(s) should be included in an appendix.  

Elements of the reference

Author of AI model. (Year of AI model used). Name of AI model (Version of AI model used) [Type or description of AI model]. URL 

Elements of in-text display:

In-text display:

Reference list

Midjourney. (2023). Midjourney (V5) [Text-to-image model]. https://www.midjourney.com/