Hi everyone, I wanted to quickly demonstrate how to use ChatGPT ethically and responsibly. As you’ve seen, I released a ChatGPT policy this week in the course syllabus. This video will give you an embodied understanding of how to use ChatGPT ethically and responsibly in this course, and how not to use ChatGPT in this course.
Since I’m making a video using our sociological Theory assignment as an example, it is okay to go ahead and use ChatGPT if you want to check your work or gain deeper insights and understanding into your research topic or questions. However, it is important to note that you should have completed the appropriate readings, videos, discussions, and have completed the assignment yourself. You should not use ChatGPT to complete your assignments.
Let’s look at the first prompt in the instructions: research description. Present a concise description of your research topic or question. You should have already completed this description. It is not appropriate to have ChatGPT complete this description for you. However, if you want feedback on your description or research question, you could paste that into ChatGPT for feedback. In this way, you’re not having ChatGPT complete your answer, but you are using it to enhance your research question and advance your knowledge beyond what was previously capable before ChatGPT.
For example, take a look at this prompt: ‘Please provide any feedback or insights you have for my research topic and question for my sociological Theory assignment in my intro sociology course.’ As you see, ChatGPT will provide numerous suggestions, feedback, and insights to help you. But you should do this after you have already completed this part of the assignment yourself.
Let’s look at prompt two: determine whether your research question or topic is best suited for a micro or macro level of analysis. Justify your choice. Again, you should have already engaged with the readings in Chapter 2 and with me and your students in your discussions to understand whether your research question is at the micro level or macro level. It is not appropriate to have ChatGPT determine this for you. However, you can paste your answer into ChatGPT for feedback. In this way, you are using it as a research assistant to check your research concept and design.
For example, you can ask ChatGPT, ‘Does my research topic and question match a macro level of analysis?’ As you can see, ChatGPT will provide numerous suggestions and insights to help you. But again, this is a tool to gain deeper understanding and insights, not to complete your work for you.
Let’s move on to prompt three: choose one sociological theory that you can apply to your research question or topic. Briefly explain why you have chosen this particular theory. For number three, you should have already picked a theory that you want to apply. You should explain in your own words why you have chosen this theory. Do not have ChatGPT explain this for you. However, you can paste the answer you’ve already created for number three into ChatGPT for feedback. In this way, you are using it to enhance your understanding and gain deeper insights.
Let’s look at prompt four: application of tenets. For each core assumption or tenet of the chosen theory, describe the tenet and explain how this tenet can be applied to your research question or topic. For number four, you should not have to initially ask ChatGPT for the tenets of your theory or what they are, because that information should have been provided to you in a theory handout and covered in your readings. However, you can paste your answers after you’ve completed this prompt on your own for feedback. This is the part of the assignment that requires the most critical thinking.
Remember, ChatGPT is a supplementary resource, not your primary resource. It’s there to help you clarify and structure ideas, but should not replace your effort in understanding and analysis. Always remain critical and don’t accept everything without analyzing its relevance and accuracy. Over-reliance on ChatGPT can have significant negative impacts and implications for cognitive function and memory.
In conclusion, using ChatGPT ethically and responsibly requires following the guidelines in the syllabus policy. It is important to do your readings, consult the theory handout, and your instructor before relying on ChatGPT for further understanding. Use ChatGPT as a tool for feedback and to enhance your understanding, not as a means to complete your work for you. By using ChatGPT responsibly, you can gain deeper insights and advance your knowledge in your assignments.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
