Simple ChatGPT list

Currently many schools are struggling with guidelines how to use LLM like ChatGPT. May I use ChatGPT? How can I use it? Here is a simple list that sums it all up. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment!

For a more in-depth discussion of ChatGPT, see this earlier text on ChatGPT and PhD research.

The baseline: except for the most simple spell-checking, always mention the use of ChatGPT... and...

Never rely exclusively on ChatGPT to do the job for you. That certainly leads to disaster!

If I use ChatGPT for...

...Spell-check and correction

Then you're OK to go. There is no need to mention it especially in your written work. Note that ChatGPT does not show what it actually corrected in your text, so you still need to check if you agree with the text.

Use it, Check it, Don't mention it

...Style-check and correction

With style-check, ChatGPT can make substantial changes to your text. Read it and ask yourself: is this still my text? Remember, you can always stick to your original text, or make less substantial changes inspired by ChatGPT's suggestions. How much is too much? You cannot really draw the line at a given % of words changed by ChatGPT - that simply does not make sense. To be transparent in your writing, mention something in the form of: "ChatGPT was used to style-check the text."

Use it, Check it, Mention it.

...Structuring my text

ChatGPT can give you suggestions for chapters, sections, and paragraphs. It can also provide suggestions for the content of those parts. Always review these suggestions critically: do they support your line of argument? Is the order logical? Do the parts build on each other? Is everything there that should be there? If you summarize the text based on your structure, does it still make sense; is something missing; can you explain it to someone else? If so, fine. If not, then you still need to revise your structure. Since the structure of your text is literally the backbone of your whole argument, you must mention the use of ChatGPT - for example: "ChatGPT was used to structure the text."

Use it, Understand it, Mention it.

...Find sources to support my research

The short answer is "Do Not Do That!"

ChatGPT does not find sources, it generates text. Thus it is highly likely that references produced by ChatGPT are incorrect. If you cannot find ChatGPT's suggestion in your library, database, or internet search, then do not use it.

No. No. No.

...Write my text for me

Ehm, yes, would you also like Santa Claus to bring you some very expensive present while we are at it?

Do not use ChatGPT as a magic typewriter.

...Develop ideas and brainstorming

Sure, go ahead - although it is easier said than done. ChatGPT's responses initially are very generic and lack critical depth. It takes quite a lot of clever question-answer games to get some useful material out of a discussion. Make notes, expand upon the discussion, find books and articles that are related to the topics that appear on the table. Since ChatGPT is not doing the writing for you (see above) it is up to you to distill some meaning out of it all. In that case, there is no need to mention the use of ChatGPT.

Use it, Be Creative, Don't Mention It.

...Self-training

You can ask ChatGPT to generate questions for you, and ChatGPT will check if your answer is correct. This is actually quite fun. Again, you will quickly run into a certain level of superficial questions. It is hard to make ChatGPT generate questions that require expert knowledge.

Use it, Have fun.

...Answer exam questions

Also known as cheating or fraud. So: "No!"

No. No. No.

Conclusion

ChatGPT is interesting, a lot of fun, and a completely new kid on the block. Rules and conventions have not been established yet. This list here serves as a simple summary what you can do and cannot do. Hopefully it is useful!