If you are using ChatGPT as a source in your academic work, it is essential to cite it correctly. This guide will provide steps to cite text from ChatGPT in different reference styles. Thanks to OpenAI’s update which enables internet access and removes the knowledge cutoff for all users, it’s easier than ever to cite sources with ChatGPT.
How to cite sources with ChatGPT
Step
Identify the Author
When citing ChatGPT, you should begin by identifying the author.
In this case, the author is OpenAI, the company that developed and trained the language model.
Step
Provide the Date
ChatGPT can now handle this step for you automatically. Until September 27th, 2023, ChatGPT had a knowledge cutoff of September 2021. This means that the chatbot had no knowledge of anything that happened after that date.
As of an update, ChatGPT internet access will be available to all users, thereby eliminating the knowledge cutoff, because it can search the internet for current answers and real-time data. To enable this, ensure “Browse with Bing” is selected within ChatGPT.
Step
Indicate the Name of the Language Model
It is important to indicate the language model’s name. In this case, the name of the model is GPT-3.5.
Step
Specify the Type of Source
When citing ChatGPT, you should specify the type of source. In most cases, this will be an online source.
However, if you use ChatGPT in a print publication, you should indicate that it is a digital source.
Step
Provide the URL
Finally, you should provide the URL for the ChatGPT website.
This allows your readers to access the source and verify your cited information.
How Can I Cite ChatGPT in Academic Work?
Here are the APA, MLA, and Chicago-style citations for ChatGPT:
APA Style:
OpenAI. (2021, September). ChatGPT [Language model]. Retrieved from https://openai.com/chatGPT
MLA Style:
OpenAI. “ChatGPT.” GPT-3.5, OpenAI, 2021, https://openai.com/chatGPT.
Chicago Style:
OpenAI. 2021. “ChatGPT: Language Model.” GPT-3.5. Retrieved from https://openai.com/chatGPT.
Conclusion
Citing ChatGPT in your academic work is a straightforward process. You should begin by identifying the author, providing the date of the knowledge cutoff, indicating the language model’s name, specifying the source type, and providing the URL. By following these steps, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and complete.
