How to Cite AI Tools
Complete citation formats for ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard styles.
Key Principle
Citation Formats by Style Guide
Select your citation style to see examples for different AI tools.
ChatGPT
General AI Assistant
Claude
AI Research Assistant
Grammarly
Writing Assistant
Elicit
Research Discovery
Style-Specific Guidelines
Key principles for each major citation style.
APA 7th Edition
- Cite AI as software with the company as author
- Include version or date accessed in parentheses
- Use square brackets for format description
- Include URL to the tool
MLA 9th Edition
- Begin with the prompt in quotation marks
- Italicize the AI tool name
- Include version if known
- End with date and URL
Chicago/Turabian
- Use footnotes/endnotes format
- Include company name, tool, prompt
- Quote the prompt used
- Add date and URL at end
Harvard Style
- Company as author (Year)
- Tool name in italics with version
- Format type in square brackets
- Include "Available at" with URL and access date
Disclosure Templates
Ready-to-use templates for disclosing AI use in your dissertation.
Methodology Section
In the preparation of this dissertation, I used [AI Tool Name] for [specific purpose, e.g., "grammatical editing," "literature discovery," "brainstorming research questions"]. Specifically, I used the tool to [detailed description of use]. All AI-generated suggestions were critically reviewed and verified against primary sources. The core arguments, analysis, and conclusions presented in this work represent my original intellectual contribution. The prompts used and AI responses received are documented in Appendix [X] for transparency.
Acknowledgments
I acknowledge the use of [AI Tool Name] (Version X, Company, Year) in the preparation of this dissertation. This tool was used for [specific purpose]. All content was reviewed, verified, and substantially revised by the author. The use of this tool complies with [University Name]'s academic integrity policy on AI assistance.
Appendix Format
Appendix X: AI Tool Usage Log Date: [Date] Tool: [AI Tool Name and Version] Purpose: [Reason for use] Prompt: "[Exact prompt used]" Use of Output: [How the response was used/modified] Note: All AI-generated content was critically evaluated and integrated with substantial human authorship.
In-Text Citation Examples
How to reference AI tools within your dissertation text.
When prompted to explain research methodologies, ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2024) provided a summary that was then verified against primary sources.
OR: (OpenAI, 2024)
The AI assistant suggested that "qualitative methods focus on understanding meaning" ("Explain the key differences" prompt).
As noted in recent AI-generated summaries,¹ the field has evolved significantly.
¹ OpenAI, ChatGPT, response to author's prompt, January 15, 2024.
According to the analysis generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2024), the research landscape has shifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
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