> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ai-for-researchers.setu.ie/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ai-for-researchers.setu.ie/institutional-guidance/acknowledgement.md).

# Acknowledgement

[SETU’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Research Practice](https://www.setu.ie/Craft/assets/research/Code-of-Conduct-for-Responsible-Practice-of-Research-V1.0.pdf) requires researchers to be transparent and acknowledge their use of AI tools in their research. Failure to do so may constitute research misconduct. The unauthorised or unacknowledged use of AI-generated text, data, images, code, or ideas in a research output may be regarded as plagiarism and could be investigated under [SETU’s Procedures for Managing Misconduct in Research](https://www.setu.ie/research-innovation/researcher-support/researcher-compliance/policies-and-procedures).

### When to Acknowledge

Any use of AI in the research process should be acknowledged, including but not limited to:

• Literature search and review

• Methods development

• Data collection assistance

• Data analysis and coding

• Writing assistance

• Translation and transcription

• Image generation

{% hint style="info" %}
**Practical Approach:** The level of acknowledgment should match the level of AI involvement. Brief assistance (Level 2) may need only a simple acknowledgment. Substantial AI contribution (Level 4) requires detailed documentation.
{% endhint %}

### Where to Acknowledge

An acknowledgment typically appears in:

• The methods section (for methodological AI use)

• The acknowledgments section at the end of a publication

• Appendices (for detailed prompts and outputs, where appropriate)

### How to Acknowledge GenAI

AI tools cannot be listed as authors. This is the stance of most academic publishers because AI cannot produce original ideas nor take responsibility for or explain outputs. General rules:

• Name the AI platform used (e.g., OpenAI ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude)

• Include details on the date of use

• Ideally include details on the prompts input

• Include details of the person who input the prompts

• Keep records of the responses output by AI

• Do not present any responses from AI as your own

### Publisher and Funder Requirements

Always check the specific guidelines of individual publishers in relation to the use of AI (e.g., [Springer](https://link.springer.com/brands/springer/journal-policies#Artificial%20intelligence%20\(AI\)), [Elsevier](https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/generative-ai-policies-for-journals), [Taylor & Francis](https://taylorandfrancis.com/our-policies/ai-policy/)) and funding bodies before using AI in a research publication, whether it is a journal article or a grant application. These organisations differ in what they allow regarding AI use in peer review, citing AI as an author (generally prohibited), AI for copy editing and improving language, and AI in images and figures.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Safety Tip:** Researchers should document and save all prompts and associated outputs throughout the research process. This helps if any concerns arise about the originality of a publication or dissertation.
{% endhint %}

<br>

***


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