The Ethical Concerns and Scientific Integrity Questions That Arise in the Use of ChatGPT in Higher Education

Abstract

The increasing use of ChatGPT in academic settings has raised significant ethical concerns and integrity questions about its impact on academic integrity. The objective of the study is to provide information on how academics can use ChatGPT effectively while maintaining academic integrity standards. A rapid literature review (RLR) methodology was used to synthesise the existing literature and guidelines on the ethical implications of using ChatGPT in higher education. The RLR approach allowed for the rapid generation of evidence in a resource-efficient manner, focusing on key themes such as accuracy, responsibility, plagiarism, bias, privacy, and regulatory compliance. The study findings highlight the ethical concerns associated with the use of ChatGPT, including the issues of accuracy, responsibility, plagiarism, bias, privacy, and regulatory compliance. Although ChatGPT offers significant potential to help academics with writing tasks and plagiarism detection, it also poses challenges to scientific integrity in higher education. The study emphasises the importance of maintaining academic integrity in the face of evolving technologies such as ChatGPT. In conclusion, the study underscores the critical role of proper citation practices in maintaining academic integrity and recommends measures for universities to address the ethical dimensions of using ChatGPT responsibly. By promoting responsible usage and raising awareness about the potential risks of Artificial intelligence (AI) tools (AI tools), academic institutions can navigate the complexities of the digital age while safeguarding the core principles of scholarly research and publication ethics.