Design Research Guide

More Examples Here

Source: MLA Style Center

How to cite the output of a program that utilizes artificial intelligence (such as a chatbot like ChatGPT): 

MLA   

Various examples are found at https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/?utm_campaign=sourcemar23&utm_medium=email&utm_source=mlaoutreach

In-text citation

(Short form Title of source) 

(“Describe the symbolism”) 

Work cited

“Title of source” prompt. Name of AI Tool, version, Company, Date content was generated, General web address of tool. 

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 12 Mar. version, OpenAI, 1 Apr. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat. 

General Guidelines:

Author

We do not recommend treating the AI tool as an author. This recommendation follows the policies developed by various publishers, including the MLA’s journal PMLA. 

Title of Source

Describe what was generated by the AI tool. This may involve including information about the prompt in the Title of Source element if you have not done so in the text. 

Title of Container

Use the Title of Container element to name the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT).

Version

Name the version of the AI tool as specifically as possible. For example, the examples in this post were developed using ChatGPT 3.5, which assigns a specific date to the version, so the Version element shows this version date.

Publisher

Name the company that made the tool.

Date

Give the date the content was generated.

Location

Give the general URL for the tool.

Library resources, like CentralSearch and many of our databases, often come with built-in citation generator functions. The exact location and steps to use this tool will vary based on the resource you are using. Below are the most common ones you will see.

Also, be aware that you must double-check any generated citations for accuracy. To better keep track of your references and more easily generate citations and entire bibliographies, try using a citation manager tool like Zotero.

1. Click into the title of a resource
2. Under "Send to," click "Citation"
3. Select your desired citation style

1. Click into the title of a resource
2. Along the right navigation under "Tools," click "Cite"
3. Scroll to your desired citation style.

1. Click into the title of a resource
2. In the top-right corner under the "Save as PDF" button, click "Cite"
3. A pop-up window will appear
4. Select your citation style (if different from the default) and click "Change."

Here are some free resources to generate single reference entries. Just like with generating a citation through the library tools, you must double-check any generated citations for accuracy. To better keep track of your references and more easily generate citations and entire bibliographies, try using a citation manager tool like Zotero.