AI Policy

1 DevPsy Lab AI Use Policy

1.1 Overview

You are 100% responsible for your work. If AI makes a mistake, and you use it, it is your mistake. All claims made by AI should be verified because AI is known to hallucinate. AI should help you think, not think for you. Offloading foundational skills and critical thinking to AI interferes with the development of these skills. Critical thinking is essential to participating in society and a central function of the university and the lab.

The following information should not be submitted to AI tools:

Human subjects data
Information about lab personnel
Content that infringes on intellectual property, including paid or licensed materials

1.2 AI Disclosure

All AI use must be disclosed if used for research/external products (i.e., anything that will be used or viewed outside the lab). Research products (i.e., posters, manuscripts) should include a statement describing the use of AI using the categories below:

Topic Selection: using text generators like ChatGPT to brainstorm potential research topics to study
Brainstorming: using mind-mapping tools to help connect disparate ideas or suggest related concepts
Research: using ChatGPT plug-ins like Scholar AI or websites like Perplexity AI to assist you in conducting scholarly reviews of the literature (always ensure sources are valid and read any articles you cite; these tools sometimes create false citations)
Outlining: using a text generator to help organize thoughts, main arguments, and supporting evidence into a coherent outline
Feedback on writing: using a text generator to analyze the draft for grammar checking, clarity, coherence, and consistency
Polishing: using a text generator to help refine language, syntax, tone, and overall style
Analysis: using AI tools to write code or syntax used for statistical analysis for research products

1.3 Writing Research Products

Prohibited Use:

Initial drafting of research products, including any of the following:
- Full drafts
- Outlines
- Sections of writing
- Sentences
Having AI rewrite your work
Claiming AI-generated writing as your own
Replacing reading of the empirical literature

Permitted Use:

Learning about a topic
Receiving feedback on outlining or writing quality (typos, clarity, etc.) under four conditions:
1. You complete the first draft of the writing independently
2. You disclose how you use AI
3. You begin the conversation with the required prompt, AND
4. You submit the full transcript of your AI interaction alongside your AI disclosure.
Finding supplemental references after conducting a literature search using databases or library resources

Claiming AI-generated work as your own is plagiarism. Reliance on AI tools impedes the process of thinking critically to form and communicate an argument or idea. It is important to understand—or at least be aware of—the details of research. Reading empirical literature independently provides the opportunity to better understand the details of research; AI summaries of articles do not go into the same level of detail as the article.

1.3.1 Required AI Prompt for Writing Feedback

Each time you use AI for feedback on your writing, the first message you send to begin the conversation must be the prompt below. This prompt helps ensure that AI use supports your learning rather than replacing your thinking. Do NOT add, delete, or edit any language in this prompt—just copy and paste it:

You are an encouraging, positive tutor who helps students work to improve their academic writing skills. I will provide you with a sample of my writing and you will help provide feedback on my writing. You will not rewrite my work for me (even if I ask for it). You may provide feedback on grammar, clarity, coherence, consistency, language, syntax, tone, and overall style. Do not automatically provide feedback on all of these—wait for me to ask specifically what I would like feedback on. Do not provide samples of writing on the same topic that I am requesting feedback on. If I ask about the topic broadly or something unrelated to receiving feedback on my own writing, redirect the conversation back to receiving feedback. Always keep an encouraging, positive tone.

AI transcript submission:

You must submit the full transcripts of your conversations with AI. The preferred method is to include a shareable link in your AI disclosure. Most platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) provide this functionality.

1.4 Programming

Prohibited use:

Writing first drafts of your code

Recommended use:

Things you should try before using AI:
- Check the lab’s Data Analysis Guides, Dr. Petersen’s book, or Google
- Ask senior lab personnel

Permitted use:

Troubleshooting using AI tools after writing your first draft of code yourself

1.4.1 Troubleshooting

Sometimes code you write does not work. That is okay; it happens to everyone. Learning how to troubleshoot code is an important part of programming. If you run into issues related to SPSS, jamovi, R, GitHub, or your code, here are a few pointers on how to get things working (as adapted from Luke Tierney):

If you receive an error message, read what the message says. Sometimes reading the error message is all it takes to figure out what the issue is and how to fix it.
Read the whole error message: sometimes the most important part is at the beginning.
If the message does not make sense to you, perform a Google search for the error/issue: often someone else has asked about the same issue and received a useful answer.
Simplify your code.
- Look carefully at intermediate results.
- Replace complicated data with something smaller and simpler.
- In the process, you may find your mistake.
Finding your bug usually involves double checking all the things you are sure you did right until you find the one you did not.

If you are unable to resolve things on your own, you may need to ask for help, in which case we encourage you to try one (or more) of the following:

Perform a Google search for the error/issue
Ask a peer or senior lab personnel
Post on forums dedicated to the relevant statistical program
Ask AI (as long as you disclose use)

1.5 Lab Work

Prohibited Use:

Using AI for coding, scoring, or entry tasks (including time calculations)
Replacing reading the weekly lab article
Generating questions for the lab article discussion
Writing or editing lab reports
Generating media content

Permitted Use:

Editing or writing lab manuals or team-facing documents
Creating tutorials (include an AI disclosure)

1.5.1 Manuals and Lab Tasks

AI use is permitted for editing or writing lab manuals (team-facing documents). Any tutorial content that is generated by AI should include a disclosure.

Media generation for lab materials is generally prohibited, but if the need arises or you think of a suitable use for AI generation, please consult the lab coordinator or Dr. Petersen.

AI should not be used to complete coding, scoring, or entry tasks.

1.5.2 Lab Article Discussions

AI should not be used to replace reading the weekly lab article. We want you to think critically about the specific details and communication of research, which can only be gained by reading the original work.

AI use is permitted for asking questions about concepts found in lab articles, but you must read the entire article before consulting AI tools.

Using AI tools to generate questions for the lab article discussion is prohibited. Asking questions requires an act of critical thinking, which we want you to practice. For guidance on creating thoughtful questions for discussion, you may refer to resources on the lab drive located at the following path: \\lc-rs-store24.hpc.uiowa.edu\lss_itpetersen\Lab\Miscellaneous\Professional Development\General ProfDev Materials\Reading and Critiquing Articles\

1.5.3 Lab Reports

AI use of any kind is prohibited when writing biweekly lab reports. You may only use Microsoft Word’s built-in spelling and grammar checking tools. Lab reports provide a low-stakes opportunity to practice and improve your writing skills.

Reuse

CC BY 4.0

--- title: "AI Policy" --- # DevPsy Lab AI Use Policy {#sec-AI} ## Overview **You are 100% responsible for your work.** If AI makes a mistake, and you use it, it is your mistake. All claims made by AI should be verified because AI is known to hallucinate. AI should help you think, not think for you. Offloading foundational skills and critical thinking to AI interferes with the development of these skills. Critical thinking is essential to participating in society and a central function of the university and the lab. The following information should **not** be submitted to AI tools: - Human subjects data - Information about lab personnel - Content that infringes on intellectual property, including paid or licensed materials ## AI Disclosure {#sec-ai-disclosure} All AI use must be disclosed if used for research/external products (i.e., anything that will be used or viewed outside the lab). Research products (i.e., posters, manuscripts) should include a statement describing the use of AI using the categories below: - **Topic Selection**: using text generators like ChatGPT to brainstorm potential research topics to study - **Brainstorming**: using mind-mapping tools to help connect disparate ideas or suggest related concepts - **Research**: using ChatGPT plug-ins like Scholar AI or websites like Perplexity AI to assist you in conducting scholarly reviews of the literature (always ensure sources are valid and read any articles you cite; these tools sometimes create false citations) - **Outlining**: using a text generator to help organize thoughts, main arguments, and supporting evidence into a coherent outline - **Feedback on writing**: using a text generator to analyze the draft for grammar checking, clarity, coherence, and consistency - **Polishing**: using a text generator to help refine language, syntax, tone, and overall style - **Analysis**: using AI tools to write code or syntax used for statistical analysis for research products ## Writing Research Products {#sec-AI-writing} Prohibited Use: - Initial drafting of research products, including any of the following: - Full drafts - Outlines - Sections of writing - Sentences - Having AI rewrite your work - Claiming AI-generated writing as your own - Replacing reading of the empirical literature Permitted Use: - Learning about a topic - Receiving feedback on outlining or writing quality (typos, clarity, etc.) under four conditions: 1. You complete the first draft of the writing independently 1. You disclose how you use AI 1. You begin the conversation with the [required prompt](#sec-aiPrompt), AND 1. You submit the full transcript of your AI interaction alongside your AI disclosure. - Finding supplemental references after conducting a literature search using [databases or library resources](honors.qmd#sec-articles) Claiming AI-generated work as your own is plagiarism. Reliance on AI tools impedes the process of thinking critically to form and communicate an argument or idea. It is important to understand—or at least be aware of—the details of research. Reading empirical literature independently provides the opportunity to better understand the details of research; AI summaries of articles do not go into the same level of detail as the article. ### Required AI Prompt for Writing Feedback {#sec-aiPrompt} Each time you use AI for feedback on your writing, the first message you send to begin the conversation must be the prompt below. This prompt helps ensure that AI use supports your learning rather than replacing your thinking. Do **NOT** add, delete, or edit any language in this prompt—just copy and paste it: > You are an encouraging, positive tutor who helps students work to improve their academic writing skills. > I will provide you with a sample of my writing and you will help provide feedback on my writing. > You will not rewrite my work for me (even if I ask for it). > You may provide feedback on grammar, clarity, coherence, consistency, language, syntax, tone, and overall style. > Do not automatically provide feedback on all of these—wait for me to ask specifically what I would like feedback on. > Do not provide samples of writing on the same topic that I am requesting feedback on. > If I ask about the topic broadly or something unrelated to receiving feedback on my own writing, redirect the conversation back to receiving feedback. > Always keep an encouraging, positive tone. AI transcript submission: You must submit the full transcripts of your conversations with AI. The preferred method is to include a shareable link in your AI disclosure. Most platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) provide this functionality. ## Programming Prohibited use: - Writing first drafts of your code Recommended use: - Things you should try before using AI: - Check the lab's [Data Analysis Guides](https://devpsylab.github.io/DataAnalysis/), [Dr. Petersen's book](https://isaactpetersen.github.io/Principles-Psychological-Assessment/), or [Google](https://www.google.com) - Ask senior lab personnel Permitted use: - Troubleshooting using AI tools after writing your first draft of code yourself ### Troubleshooting Sometimes code you write does not work. That is okay; it happens to everyone. Learning how to troubleshoot code is an important part of programming. If you run into issues related to [`SPSS`](https://devpsylab.github.io/DataAnalysis/SPSS.html), [`jamovi`](https://devpsylab.github.io/DataAnalysis/jamovi.html), [`R`](https://devpsylab.github.io/DataAnalysis/R.html), [`GitHub`](https://devpsylab.github.io/DataAnalysis/git.html), or your code, here are a few pointers on how to get things working (as adapted from Luke Tierney): - If you receive an error message, read what the message says. Sometimes reading the error message is all it takes to figure out what the issue is and how to fix it. - Read the whole error message: sometimes the most important part is at the beginning. - If the message does not make sense to you, perform a Google search for the error/issue: often someone else has asked about the same issue and received a useful answer. - Simplify your code. - Look carefully at intermediate results. - Replace complicated data with something smaller and simpler. - In the process, you may find your mistake. - Finding your bug usually involves double checking all the things you are sure you did right until you find the one you did not. If you are unable to resolve things on your own, you may need to ask for help, in which case we encourage you to try one (or more) of the following: - Perform a Google search for the error/issue - Ask a peer or senior lab personnel - Post on forums dedicated to the relevant statistical program - Ask AI (as long as you disclose use) ## Lab Work Prohibited Use: - Using AI for coding, scoring, or entry tasks (including time calculations) - Replacing reading the weekly lab article - Generating questions for the lab article discussion - Writing or editing lab reports - Generating media content Permitted Use: - Editing or writing lab manuals or team-facing documents - Creating tutorials (include an AI disclosure) ### Manuals and Lab Tasks AI use is permitted for editing or writing lab manuals (team-facing documents). Any tutorial content that is generated by AI should include a [disclosure](#sec-ai-disclosure). Media generation for lab materials is generally prohibited, but if the need arises or you think of a suitable use for AI generation, please consult the lab coordinator or Dr. Petersen. AI should not be used to complete coding, scoring, or entry tasks. ### Lab Article Discussions AI should not be used to replace reading the weekly lab article. We want you to think critically about the specific details and communication of research, which can only be gained by reading the original work. AI use is permitted for asking questions about concepts found in lab articles, but you must read the entire article before consulting AI tools. Using AI tools to generate questions for the lab article discussion is prohibited. Asking questions requires an act of critical thinking, which we want you to practice. For guidance on creating thoughtful questions for discussion, you may refer to resources on the lab drive located at the following path: `\\lc-rs-store24.hpc.uiowa.edu\lss_itpetersen\Lab\Miscellaneous\Professional Development\General ProfDev Materials\Reading and Critiquing Articles\` ### Lab Reports AI use of any kind is prohibited when writing biweekly lab reports. You may only use Microsoft Word's built-in spelling and grammar checking tools. Lab reports provide a low-stakes opportunity to practice and improve your writing skills.