Navigation
Navigate the ethical considerations of research, including proper citation and the responsible use of AI.
If you discovered a groundbreaking cure but forgot to credit the lab that did the initial work, is the discovery still yours? In the digital age, the line between inspiration and theft is thinner than ever.
At the mastery level, citation is more than a formatting chore; it is an epistemological map. Whether using MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association), you are providing a trail for others to verify your claims. MLA focuses on the 'Container' system, while APA emphasizes the 'Author-Date' method to highlight the currency of research. In Grade 12, you must move beyond simple books to complex sources like multimodal texts, live performances, and social media threads. Proper attribution protects your ethos—your credibility as a speaker—and ensures that the intellectual labor of others is recognized in a global marketplace of ideas.
To cite a post from X (formerly Twitter) in MLA 9th Edition, follow this structure: 1. Author's Name (Handle). "Full text of post." Site Name, Date, URL. 2. Example: @NASA. "The James Webb Telescope has captured a new image of the Pillars of Creation." Twitter, 19 Oct. 2022, twitter.com/nasa/status/12345.
Quick Check
In the context of citation, what is a 'Container'?
Answer
A container is the larger work in which a source is found, such as a database, a website, or an anthology.
The rise of Generative AI (like ChatGPT or Claude) introduces a new ethical layer. Using AI to brainstorm is often acceptable, but submitting AI-generated prose as your own is plagiarism. AI models can suffer from hallucinations, where they confidently invent facts or citations. Ethically, a researcher must maintain a 'human-in-the-loop' approach. If you use AI, you must disclose it. The ethical researcher asks: Did I contribute original thought, or am I merely a curator of machine-generated tokens? Intellectual honesty requires that we take responsibility for every word, regardless of its origin.
When using AI for research, APA 7th Edition suggests citing the model as the author: 1. Author: OpenAI. 2. Date: (2023). 3. Title: ChatGPT (May 24 version) [Large language model]. 4. URL: https://chat.openai.com/chat 5. In-text: (OpenAI, 2023).
Quick Check
What is an AI 'hallucination' and why is it a risk to academic integrity?
Answer
A hallucination is when an AI generates false information or fake citations; it risks integrity by introducing misinformation into academic work.
Public discourse relies on a social contract of truth. When politicians, journalists, or influencers fail to cite sources or use AI to create 'deepfakes,' the fabric of trust dissolves. Intellectual honesty means acknowledging the limitations of your data and the biases of your sources. In Grade 12, you are not just a student; you are a participant in a democratic dialogue. By citing accurately and using technology responsibly, you combat the 'post-truth' era where feelings often override verified evidence.
Imagine you find a TikTok video (Source A) that summarizes a news article (Source B) which cites a peer-reviewed study (Source C). To maintain the highest level of integrity: 1. Trace the claim back to Source C (the original study). 2. Verify if Source B accurately reported Source C's data. 3. Cite Source C as your primary evidence, but acknowledge Source B if their specific analysis influenced your argument. 4. Formula for credibility:
Which citation style is most likely to be used in a Social Sciences paper to emphasize the date of research?
If an AI generates a quote from a book that doesn't actually exist, this is an example of:
In MLA 9th Edition, you should include the URL for a web source whenever possible.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to recall the three components of the 'social contract of truth' in public discourse and the difference between MLA and APA focus.
Practice Activity
Take a recent AI-generated response and try to find three 'real-world' sources that either verify or debunk the AI's claims. Practice citing one in MLA format.