COMPASS for students

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools

GenAI tools can answer initial queries and these responses can then be refined through further inputted suggestions, so-called ‘prompt engineering’. The growth in both the availability and processing power of GenAI tools will continue for the foreseeable future. COMPASS is the LJMU science School's response to this environment and provides guidance on when it is OK for you to use AI within your Modules’ coursework and exams. Our aim is to provide you with learning opportunities to use GenAI tools responsibly and ethically.

Helping you to stay on the right track

For any assessment, there are a variety of paths that you might take to complete that assignment: COMPASS is here to make sure that you stay on the right track. As a student, it is your responsibility to understand any permissions on the use of GenAI for each assessment before you start work. LJMU policy states that, if no explicit guidance is provided, you may use GenAI. COMPASS exists to provide explicit guidance on the use of GenAI.

As with any journey, you must know at the start which direction you are heading in.

COMPASS gives direction only: for guidance on how to use modern technologies in your University studies, refer to the Study For Success Canvas Course.

What you may choose to do

To keeps things as straightforward as possible, Module Leaders will use Canvas to indicate which one of the four distinct paths you should follow for a particular assessment task; N, S, E or W. If you have the option to use a GenAI tool then you also have the choice not to use it.

  • N - No GenAI tools may be used
  • S - Specified GenAI tools may be used and these will be stipulated
  • E - Every GenAI tool may be used.
  • W - Ways in which GenAI tools may be used will be stipulated

Any use of GenAI by you should be accompanied by appropriate acknowledgements.

Acknowledging your use of GenAI

This is one way for you to demonstrate that you are using GenAI technologies responsibly and ethically. As with other information resources, when using GenAI:

  • You may not submit blocks of text that have been copied and pasted without alteration.
  • You may include small passages of copied text within quotation marks and with due acknowledgment.
  • You must follow the referencing guidelines available through the ‘Cite then Right’ resource when citing your use of GenAI. For example, in Harvard style, this guidance should be followed.

Wandering off the right track

The ways in which you can deviate from COMPASS depend on the direction that you are heading in:

  • N - Using GenAI tools to create any draft or final versions of your work
  • S - Using a prohibited GenAI tool or failing to appropriately acknowledge your use of AI tools
  • E - Failing to appropriately acknowledge your use of GenAI tools
  • W - Using a permitted GenAI tool in a forbidden way, using a prohibited GenAI tool, or failing to appropriately acknowledge your use or of GenAI tools

The consequences of wandering off the right track

By submitting your work for marking, you are confirming that you have worked fully within the direction published on Canvas. In cases of doubt, an investigation may be held and, in proven cases, an Academic Misconduct Panel will determine the appropriate penalty.

Acknowledgement

Policy and practice guidance around the use of AI technologies, Monash University (4/7/23)