Students may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with brainstorming and outlining only.
AI may help you plan your research.
AI may not write your paper or replace reading real academic sources.
Because this course offers college credit, misuse of AI may be treated as academic dishonesty.
You may use AI to:
Narrow or refine a psychology research topic
Suggest research questions
Generate a research outline structure
Organize ideas into logical sections
Identify areas where research is needed
Acceptable example prompt:
Create a college-level research outline for a psychology paper on social anxiety in adolescents.
You may not use AI to:
Write your full paper
Write paragraphs you plan to submit
Summarize studies you did not read
Invent sources, citations, or research findings
Replace reading peer-reviewed psychology articles
Submit AI-generated writing as your own work
Unacceptable example:
Write my psychology research paper.
Students may use different AI tools, depending on what is available or blocked on school networks.
The rules apply to all AI tools, regardless of platform.
The focus is how AI is used, not which tool is used.
Before using AI, you should already know:
Your psychology topic
The behavior, condition, or population you are studying
Example topic:
Social anxiety in adolescents
Use prompts that request structure, not full writing.
Strong prompt examples:
Create a research outline for a psychology paper on social anxiety in adolescents
Suggest outline sections for a college psychology research paper
Generate subtopics I should research for this topic
Weak or inappropriate prompts:
Write my psychology paper
Summarize five research studies
Generate citations for this assignment
AI provides a starting point, not a final product.
Ask yourself:
Does this outline make logical sense
Are the sections appropriate for psychology research
Is anything missing or unnecessary
Would a college professor expect these sections
You are responsible for editing and improving the outline.
Once your outline is created:
Use Access Power Library to locate peer-reviewed sources
Use Google Scholar to find additional academic research
Take notes and track sources using NoodleTools
Each section of your outline must be supported by real research you personally read.
Responsible AI use means:
You understand everything in your outline
You can explain your outline if asked
You write your paper in your own words
All research sources are cited in APA format
AI does not replace your thinking or writing
Rule of thumb:
If you cannot explain or defend what AI generated, you should not use it.
Some instructors require students to acknowledge AI assistance.
Example disclosure statement:
AI was used to assist in generating a preliminary research outline. All research, analysis, and writing were completed by the student.
Students should confirm all of the following before submitting an outline:
☐ AI was used only for brainstorming or outlining
☐ AI did not write the paper
☐ The student reviewed and edited AI output
☐ Outline sections will be supported by real academic sources
☐ Peer-reviewed psychology articles will be used
☐ Sources will come from Access Power Library or Google Scholar
☐ The student understands all outline content
☐ No fabricated studies or citations are included
☐ The final paper will be written independently
AI is a tool, not an author.
College-level research requires:
Critical thinking
Source evaluation
Ethical academic behavior
Using AI responsibly now prepares you for college expectations, where improper AI use can result in serious academic consequences.