Chicago 18th Author-Date

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Before using GenAI tools in your assessment, check the unit outline or assessment guidelines, or speak with your unit coordinator to confirm whether GenAI use is permitted.

If you use a GenAI tool, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot, when completing an assessment, it is recommended to declare your use. Additionally, if you have used GenAI to create content that you include in your work, you must reference this use as a source of information.

Referencing is a standardised way of acknowledging sources such as books, articles, and websites to show that your work is based on credible evidence. GenAI must be cited if used as an information source. This is required in the same way as any other information you include in your work that comes from an external source.

It is important to understand that AI-generated content is considered a non-recoverable source. This means that the content produced is usually not accessible to anyone other than the person who generated it. Unless the GenAI tool provides a shareable link to the chat, other people cannot be directed to the exact location where the content was created. This makes it difficult to verify claims in the same way as traditional sources.

GenAI tools are also not considered scholarly sources at this time. Their responses are created from large training datasets, and the original source of the information is often unknown. For this reason, GenAI outputs should be used with care in academic work.

If the GenAI text discusses theories or specific ideas, you should include additional sources to support them with scholarly research.

If you are allowed to use GenAI in your work, it is good practice to include:

  • A written declaration - You should follow your Unit Coordinator’s instructions or use the Library’s declaration template to clearly explain how GenAI supported your work. You may also wish to include the prompts you used as a list or by sharing a link to the chat.

  • An in-text citation - This is required if the generated text has been quoted, paraphrased or summarised in your written work.

AI-generated content is treated as a form of personal communication in the Chicago style and should be cited in-text rather than included in the reference list. When citing, include the name of the tool, the version (if available), and the date the content was generated.

In-text examples

(ChatGPT-3.5, May 12, 2023).

OR

The following recipe for pizza dough was generated by ChatGPT-3.5 on May 12, 2023.

If quoting

Use quotation marks to distinguish between your own words and the words generated by the tool:

Dogs and cats represent the most common pets in Australia; however, there is some debate as to which is better. “Some people may prefer dogs because they are considered to be more loyal and protective, while others may prefer cats because they are independent and low maintenance” (ChatGPT-3.5, May 12, 2023).

GenAI outputs do not require a reference list entry. However, if you have been specifically instructed to include a reference, cite the publisher or developer of the tool rather than the tool name itself, and include a publicly accessible URL.

OpenAI. 2023. Response to “What is the best pizza dough recipe?” ChatGPT-3.5, May 12, 2023. https://chatgpt.com/c/68107ccf-4958-800b-b382-bc80fb9e2bca.

Indigenous Knowledges

Indigenous Knowledges are those which are held and continuously developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. IP Australia (2021) defines two distinct areas:

  • Traditional Cultural Expressions - including languages, stories, songlines, music, performances, visual arts, crafts, architecture, designs and symbols
  • Traditional Knowledge - including know-how, practices, skills and innovations, often related but not limited to agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological, medicinal and biodiversity-related knowledge.

The way in which Indigenous Knowledges is referenced depends on whether, and how the information has been recorded.

Indigenous authored sources

If you have read a book or journal article, watched a YouTube video or listened to a podcast created by an Indigenous person (the information was recorded in a format that can be retrieved) follow the standard guidelines provided in this guide to create your in-text citation and reference list entry, according to the source type (e.g. journal article, book, video etc.).

Non-Indigenous authored sources

Indigenous Knowledge may be communicated by non-Indigenous authors. Wherever possible, the author, the Indigenous person, and the appropriate community or language group should be referenced within your narrative or in your in-text citations (if an individual is not mentioned, include the community or language group alone). If the source does not provide this information, use the broader term ‘Indigenous Knowledge’ within the citation before the source details.

In-text example - Non-Indigenous authored - Known individual or language group

The Government policy of removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their parents continues to have a considerable impact, despite formally ending in 1969. “Stories such as this need to be told as we, as Aboriginal people, suffer a lot.” (Ryder, Ballardong Noongar, as quoted by Clark 2021, para. 12).

In-text example - Non-Indigenous authored - Unknown individual or language group

The Yugul Mangi Rangers suggest that burning is guided by “the old people” (Indigenous ancestors) and typically occurs directly after the rain. Knowledge is communicated orally and learned through experience (Indigenous Knowledge, as quoted by McKerney et al. 2020, 1000).

Extra tips

  • It may be appropriate to refer to an Indigenous Elder as Aunty or Uncle in your narrative if they are referred to in the source or if you have permission to do so. For example: Uncle Charles, Bundjalung, highlights the importance of stillness and listening to the lessons from Country (Moran and Moran 2004, 56).
  • Names of ethnic, national and other regional groups are capitalised, including adjectives associated with these names (e.g. Indigenous).
  • In-text references for non-Indigenous authors should follow the format of Authors citing other authors.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have an oral tradition, meaning their knowledges, beliefs and customs are passed down verbally or through other cultural expressions. If the information has been communicated with you directly (e.g. you have spoken to an Indigenous person directly) and you have permission to use it in your work, follow the guidelines for referencing a Personal Communication, but also include the Indigenous community or language group, if known. If the source of information is an Indigenous Elder or other Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, also include the name of the Elder or Knowledge Keeper.

For example, the in-text citation will be displayed as:

(I. Cumming, Whadjuk Noongar, personal communication, July 1, 2021).

Extra tip

  • Some Elders and Knowledge Keepers will prefer to be listed under their Traditional Name rather than their legal name, sometimes even without listing a legal name. Whenever possible, confirm with the Elder or Knowledge Keeper.

Personal communication

Personal communications are not included in the reference list.

  • Cite in text only. Give the initials as well as the surname of the communicator and provide as exact a date as possible, e.g. (J. Smith, personal communication, February 9, 2016)
  • Personal communications are works which cannot be recovered by the reader. They include emails, text messages, online chats, letters, memos, personal (unpublished) interviews, telephone conversations, live speeches etc.
  • Personal communications may not be acceptable to include in your assignment – please check with your lecturer/tutor before doing so
  • Mention the type of communication within your in-text citation (examples: email, text message etc.).

In-text examples

(B. Burns, text message to author, May 12, 2019).

OR

In J. Smith’s personal communication with her lecturer on February 9, 2016, she reasoned that “there was no basis for the copyright claim.”

Unpublished interview

Unpublished interviews are not included in the reference list

  • Include the term ‘interview’ within your in-text citation
  • Each person cited must be fully identified in the in-text citation
  • An interview with a person who prefers to remain anonymous may be cited in whatever form is appropriate in context. The absence of a name should be explained (e.g. All interviews were conducted in confidence, and the names of interviewees are withheld by mutual agreement)

In-text examples

(Mary Smith, unpublished interview, May 7, 2017).

OR

In K. Watson’s interview with a health-care worker on July 31, 2017 it was revealed that the issue was still in progress.

Lecture

Reference components

Author Surname, First Name(s). Year. “Title of Lecture.” Format. URL.

Reference list examples

Leaver, Tama. 2012. “Social Media Rivers.” iLecture. https://echo.ilecture.curtin.edu.au:8080/ess/echo/presentation/893b5284-ecad-4ad4-8af7-0ad2a1e19e24.

Richardson, Christine. 2015. “RDA Management.” PowerPoint slides. https://lms.curtin.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid3704556-dt-content-rid-21756633_1/xid-21756633_1.

In-text examples

Extra tips