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Referencing style - Vancouver (based on Citing Medicine): Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A guide to using the Vancouver citation style for in text citations and reference lists.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

You will need to confirm with your Unit Coordinator whether you are permitted to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT in your assessments. If it is used ALL the content that is generated must be referenced. For more information see the guide: Using AI Tools at UWA 

At present, there are no specific guidelines for referencing AI tools using the NLM Citing Medicine Referencing Style.

For this style we recommend referencing content that is generated from an AI tool as software.

 

Material Type

Reference List Example (based on Citing Medicine 2nd edition)

EndNote (Citing Medicine) Instructions

Based on using the Citing Medicine 2  (UWA) style with EndNote 20 and 21

Software

(e.g. ChatGPT)

1. OpenAI. ChatGPT [Computer Software] 2023 [Cited 2023 Feb 15]. Available from: https://chat.openai.com.

 

Acknowledge and describe your use of the generative AI within your work by using the following recommended intext conventions: 

As generated by the generative AI program (ChatGPT, 2023)

According to ChatGPT (2023) there is a strong correlation between diabetes and obesity...

..

If using EndNote select:

Reference Type - Online Database
Author - Company name, e.g. OpenAI
Year - Year the search was run
Title - Product name followed by [Computer Software], e.g. ChatGPT [Computer Software]
Date Accessed Type in "Cited" and then the date, e.g. Cited 2023 Feb 15
URL - Copy and paste. 

Please note: The information in this guide is subject to change as guidance on referencing AI tools continues to evolve.

This Generative AI referencing sample has been adapted from Citing Medicine: the NLM Style Guide using the examples for citing Computer Programs, Databases, and Datasets. 

 

Here are some guidelines for referencing AI generated images using NLM Citing Medicine Referencing Style.:

AI generated image - attribution required

To include an image in your work, that you have created using an AI tool, you need to provide an acknowledgment. You need to add a Figure number under the image with a description noting where the image was generated and with what prompts.  

You don't need to provide an end-text reference for an image you produced with an AI tool. 

 

Figure 1. Image generated using Copilot Designer from the prompt Create an image that encapsulates how to find the best evidence in a Library. Do not include any people in the image. 

Copied AI generated image from a published source - attribution required

If you would like to use an AI generated image, that has come from a published source, then you will need to ensure that an acknowledgment is included.  Use a numbered in-text citation that matches the corresponding reference list entry.   In a caption below the image you need to include the same description as the published source, as well as a reference number.   

For this image, the reference list entry would be:

1. Attard M, Davis M, Main L. Gen AI and journalism [Internet]. Australia: Centre for Media Transition, University of Technology Sydney; 2023. [cited 2024 Jun 30].  Available from: https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/GEN%20AI%20and%20Journalism_web%20version.pdf 

 

 

Figure 1.  Rosa Alice's A.I. generated work, "Robots Attempting to Produce Articles" (1)

 

Please note: We wish to advise that the advice on referencing AI art is "interim guidance". There is currently no specific rule for referencing AI art in accordance with NLM Citing Medicine Referencing Style and the information provided here is not officially part of their guidelines. The information provided is subject to change, as guidance on referencing AI art continues to evolve. 

CONTENT LICENCE

 Except for logos, Canva designs, AI generated images or where otherwise indicated, content in this guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.