Acceptable GenAI use will be outlined in written guidelines in module and assignment descriptions. Open discussions with staff are encouraged to clarify assessment aims and potential uses of these technologies.
Student Skills and Success
Is it a breach of academic integrity (including plagiarism) to submit assignments that have been wholly or partly created by GenAI?
The “Maynooth University Policy on Academic Misconduct and Academic Integrity” states:
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools or other computer-generated material to complete all or part of an assessment without acknowledgement and outside the terms of Departmental policies or requirements for individual assignments.
Therefore, using GenAI in an assignment beyond what is permitted is a breach of academic integrity (including plagiarism).
Further advice is available at Moodle Help For Students page.
Acceptable use of GenAI in assessments
If it is not clearly indicated by teaching staff and/or department guidelines – no GenAI is permitted.
The following table outlines the various acceptable GenAI uses within Maynooth University assessments. However, teaching staff may deviate from this. Always refer to module and assignment documentation, where acceptable types of use will be prescribed.
Note: you as author are 100% responsible for the content of your work.
Table 1. Types and Descriptions of GenAI for Assessment (adapted from Perkins et al., 2024)
| GenAI use | Description |
| No GenAI permitted | The assessment is completed without GenAI assistance. GenAI is not used at any stage of the assessment. Students using software with GenAI components (e.g., Grammarly) should ensure that these are deactivated. If this is not possible, such software should not be used. |
| GenAI assistance in research and structuring | GenAI can be used in the initial stages of the assessment, including brainstorming, creating structures (outlines), and as an initial research assistant. No GenAI output (including paraphrased) in final submission. |
| GenAI editing | GenAI can be used as an editing tool to improve the clarity or quality of assessment. It may not be used to create new content. Students must provide a list of prompts. |
| Full GenAI assistance | GenAI may be used throughout the assessment process, including the inclusion of GenAI output within the assessment. All GenAI output should be referenced. A full list of prompts and GenAI outputs should also be included as an appendix. |
GenAI detection and Turnitin
Turnitin compares submitted text with matched text found in its database and on the internet (this provides you with a similarity score). Turnitin also provides teaching staff with a second score outlining possible GenAI use (students will not have access to this). This Turnitin GenAI score is not definitive proof of Gen AI use. However, if it indicates possible use beyond that permitted (see Acceptable use of GenAI in assessments) it might be a first step in a process of ensuring academic integrity. For more details, see Maynooth Turnitin Policy.
What do I do if I am contacted about using GenAI in my assessment?
Follow instructions contained in communications from your teaching staff, contact relevant staff if you have queries and familiarise yourself with the procedure in your department’s guidelines. Processes are laid out in the “Maynooth University Policy on Academic Misconduct and Academic Integrity”. Other supports and resources are available (see Where can I find more information?).
Student Declaration of Use
The student declaration of use will be attached to every assignment submission sheet.
Grading and Feedback
Where GenAI use is allowed in assessments, marking criteria will be the same whether or not students choose to use prescribed tools. GenAI tools will not be used by staff to grade or provide feedback on students’ assessed work.
Citations and Referencing
All use of GenAI should be acknowledged in academic work, including citations and referencing, where appropriate and according to departmental handbooks.