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A guide on Generative Artificial Intelligence when researching and writing your assignments

What is JCU's policy on GenAI?

At JCU the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in learning and assessment must be ethical, transparent, and purposeful. You may engage in the uses of AI only where they uphold the principles of Academic Integrity. You must avoid the use of AI in any way which may contravene the principles of Academic Integrity.

JCU Academic Integrity information

“Academic integrity is defined as: a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. From these values flow principles of behaviour that enable academic communities to translate ideals to action”(International Centre for Academic Integrity, 2014). (Guidance Note Academic Integrity, TEQSA).

The Center for Education and Enhancement at JCU has prepared a suite of material and advice regarding the use of AI programs such as ChatGPT.

You can find the JCU CEE resources here:

Before using generative AI

  1. Check with each Lecturer or Subject Coordinator to ensure using AI content in assignments is allowed.
  2. If you have been given permission from the Lecturer or Subject Coordinator to use AI, it is still important to follow JCU's Academic Integrity Policy.
  3. Your assessment must still be your own original work and any AI content must be correctly acknowledged through the appropriate referencing style guides.
  4. Evaluate the content as you would with other sources by referring to the Evaluating Sources guide.
  5. Consider if you are learning or building your knowledge and skills by using AI.

For more information, refer to JCU's instruction on Using Artificial Intelligence.

How can I use it?

You must always check with your Subject Coordinator or Lecturer and carefully read your subject outline before using AI. If you are allowed to use AI you must be clear on exactly how you can use it and how to reference it correctly.

You must be careful not to contravene JCU’s Academic Integrity Policy – it is important to make sure your use of AI is openly acknowledged so that you don't pass off AI generated content as your own original work.

Refer to JCU's Using Artificial Intelligence page to make sure you are aware of the expectations at JCU concerning the use of AI.

Generative AI is best used as assistive technology, do not use it to create content that you are required to create yourself.

The following are some useful ways to use the tools:

  • Brainstorm ideas
  • Improve writing, spelling and grammar
  • Create practice quizzes and questions to test your knowledge
  • Check for meaning
  • Summarise difficult information
  • Create decorative images, sounds and videos for presentations (provided you are not being marked on the creation of these multimedia objects)

Acknowledgements and Disclaimers

Remember to check with your lecturer if they want you to declare any use of AI in the process of your assignment and how they wish to have it acknowledged.

Your lecturer may also require you to include a disclaimer stating you did not use AI in any part of your assignment process. Check to see if they have instructions for where to place this disclaimer and how to word it, or see if there are instructions in your style guide.

Academic misconduct

The following are some examples of how the use of AI may constitute violation of the JCU Academic Integrity policy:

  • Not acknowledging the use of AI tools in your work.
  • Submitting AI content as your own work.
  • Using AI tools beyond the scope of what is permitted by the Lecturer or Subject Coordinator.
  • Sharing assessment questions or instructions with AI platforms or tools. University teaching material is supplied to you for your own study purposes only and should not be shared with anyone outside of the university, even AI programs.
Subjects: Academic Success

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