Requirements and information regarding the use of AI in the PhD thesis at the Faculty of Health Sciences
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The use of AI must be accounted for in the PhD thesis
The statement on the use of generative AI in the PhD thesis at the Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet (PDF) must be completed and attached to the PhD thesis as an appendix. It is recommended to include a sentence at the end of the methodology chapter indicating that there is an appendix discussing the use of AI and referring to this appendix.
If AI is used as a method in the execution of the research itself, this must be specifically addressed in the methodology chapter.
This statement on the use of AI will serve as information for the evaluation committee. The evaluation committee is not responsible for verifying or approving AI tools used in the PhD thesis work. However, unethical or dishonest use of AI tools will be part of the committee's assessment, alongside the evaluation of other ethical issues raised by the research in the PhD thesis.
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General information about the use of AI in research and PhD thesis
AI is an area of continuous and rapid development. This webpage will therefore be updated regularly in line with new developments relevant to the topic.
PhD candidates at the Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet, may use generative AI in their research and PhD thesis, as long as it is done with openness and transparency and in accordance with the policy on the use of artificial intelligence at OsloMet.
AI tools can be used for a variety of tasks, including literature searches, data collection, data analysis, text drafting, text editing, spell-checking, and reference management.
In OsloMet’s storage guide, you can find information about which services can be used for storing different types of data. First, determine the data classification, then check the storage guide to see where your data can be stored. Note that both personal information and research ideas/"trade secrets" may classify data as "yellow" or "red," meaning they cannot be shared openly.
The following AI tools are available through OsloMet and can be used for green and yellow (internal) data:
- SIKT KI (ki.sikt.no)
- Microsoft Copilot (microsoft.no)
- GPT UiO (gpt.uio.no)
- Keenious (keenious.com)
- Autotekst (autotekst.uio.no)
AI tools not listed above can be used for green data. If you need to use AI tools not listed above for data classified under other categories, this must be clarified with your supervisor.
As a PhD candidate, you may use these and other AI tools as long as the use complies with applicable laws and regulations, including the policies and guidelines mentioned in this document. Remember that it is never permitted to present text you have not written yourself as your own.
The dissertation must be an independent scientific work that meets international standards regarding ethical requirements, academic level, and methodology. See § 5-1. Requirements relating to the thesis in the Regulations relating to the degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.
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Responsibility and transparency in the use of generative AI
As a researcher, you must adhere to the principles of responsibility and transparency when using AI in research. This means that you should:
- Follow fundamental principles of research ethics, be transparent about your use of generative AI (GenAI), and take responsibility for the scientific outcomes.
- Consider privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights for both the input provided and the output generated.
- Maintain a critical approach to the use of GenAI and stay updated on how AI can be used responsibly.
The points are adapted from: Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research (research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu).
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Reflection and guidance
You are encouraged to reflect on the risk areas associated with the use of new technologies, including AI, before implementing them. We specifically recommend that you consider the following perspectives:
- Privacy: Privacy concerns when using AI in research (page only in Norwegian)
- Learning perspective: What you gain and what you might potentially lose by using generative AI.
- Evaluation: How the use of generative AI might affect the evaluation of your dissertation.
- Research environment: How your research environment applies generative AI.
The points on the use of AI tools in research can be helpful in this process.
You are also encouraged to discuss the appropriate use of AI in all parts of your doctoral work with your supervisors.