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APA referencing of AI-generated content

An APA reference for AI-generated content: the tool's developer as author, then year, tool name and version, a [Large language model] label and the URL.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 62, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 58

Understanding APA referencing of AI-generated content in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: Google is the developer so it is the author, and the tool name Gemini and its version (1.5 Pro) come after the year and are followed by the description and URL. The prompt is named so the output can be traced, and the claim is checked against a reliable source because AI output can be inaccurate. The square-bracket label describes what the source is. ChatGPT is a large language model. AI output must be acknowledged. Naming the prompt shows readers how the content was produced. AI tools can produce errors or invented facts, so output should be checked and verified before it is used or cited.

Common mistakes: The author of an AI reference is the tool's developer, not the tool. Line 1 should start with OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT is the title and belongs on line 2. An AI reference must end with the URL of the tool. 'Claude chat history' is not a link. Line 4 should be https://claude.ai.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 56–67) and word search (Modules 56–80).

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Learning
Duo
Which element comes FIRST in an APA reference for AI-generated content?
The prompt you typed into the tool.The developer of the tool, e.g. OpenAI.
Matches
ChatGPT. (2024). OpenAI [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
↓
The author and title are swapped: the author should be the developer (OpenAI) and the title should be the tool name and version, ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
Applying
Meanings
Term
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Meaning
An APA reference for AI-generated content: the tool's developer as author, then year, tool name and version, a [Large language model] label and the URL.
Practice
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Testing
Gaps
. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
Check Answer
Spots
1ChatGPT. (2024).
2ChatGPT (GPT-4o)

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Quick Questions

1. Which element comes FIRST in an APA reference for AI-generated content?
A. The developer of the tool, e.g. OpenAI. ✓
B. The prompt you typed into the tool.
The AI tool's developer (the company that made it) is treated as the author, so it starts the reference.
2. Which reference is formatted correctly for AI-generated content?
A. ChatGPT. (2024). OpenAI [Chatbot]. GPT-4o.
B. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com ✓
The developer is the author, followed by the year, the tool name and version, the [Large language model] label and the URL.
3. In the reference OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com, what does (GPT-4o) show?
A. The version of the tool that was used. ✓
B. The name of the student who used it.
APA asks for the tool name and its version, because different versions can give different answers.
4. What label goes in square brackets for a tool like ChatGPT?
A. [Large language model] ✓
B. [Personal communication]
The square-bracket label describes what the source is. ChatGPT is a large language model.
5. A student uses ChatGPT to explain data bias and puts the output in their report. What should they do in the text?
A. Paste the response in without a citation because the tool is not a person.
B. Describe the prompt they used and cite the tool in the text and reference list. ✓
AI output must be acknowledged. Naming the prompt shows readers how the content was produced.

Match the Pairs

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com → A full APA reference for AI-generated content: developer as author, year, tool name and version, a [Large language model] label and the URL
(OpenAI, 2024) → The APA in-text citation for AI content: the developer's name as author, then the year of the tool version used
In the reference, the author is the developer of the AI tool and the tool name and version are written after the year → Google. (2024). Gemini (1.5 Pro) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com
Checking and verifying AI output: before citing a claim from an AI tool, confirm it against a reliable source and keep a record of the prompt used → Prompt: Define data integrity. Verified against: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority study design
ChatGPT. (2024). OpenAI [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com → The author and title are swapped: the author should be the developer (OpenAI) and the title should be the tool name and version, ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
OpenAI. ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com → The year and the version are missing, so a reader cannot tell which version of the tool produced the output

Key Term

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
An APA reference for AI-generated content: the tool's developer as author, then year, tool name and version, a [Large language model] label and the URL.

Fill in the Blanks

1. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Hint: Type the name of the company that developed the AI tool, which is used as the author.
2. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Hint: Type the year, placed in brackets after the author.
3. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Hint: Type the description of the kind of AI tool, placed inside square brackets.
4. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Hint: Type the version of the tool, shown in brackets after the tool name.
5. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Hint: Type the web address of the AI tool that ends the reference.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A ChatGPT. (2024).
B ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
C [Large language model].
D https://chatgpt.com
Line A — The author of an AI reference is the tool's developer, not the tool. Line 1 should start with OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT is the title and belongs on line 2.
Question 2
A Anthropic. (2024).
B Claude (3.5 Sonnet)
C [Large language model].
D Claude chat history
Line D — An AI reference must end with the URL of the tool. 'Claude chat history' is not a link. Line 4 should be https://claude.ai.
Question 3
A Google. (2024).
B Gemini
C [Large language model].
D https://gemini.google.com
Line B — The tool name must be followed by the version in round brackets, because AI tools change between versions. Line 2 should be Gemini (1.5 Pro).
Question 4
A In-text: (ChatGPT, 2024)
B OpenAI. (2024).
C ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
D [Large language model].
Line A — The in-text citation uses the same author as the reference list entry, which is the developer. It should be (OpenAI, 2024), not the tool name.
Question 5
A I asked: 'What is metadata?'
B It replied (2024, OpenAI).
C Ref: OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT
Line B — An in-text citation puts the author first, then a comma, then the year. Line 2 should be It replied (OpenAI, 2024).

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