TCID 2080: Investigating Misleading Communication

Use this section to help you evaluate your sources and cite them accurately in your report.

As you read your articles, take notes using the structure of the assignment. For each source, identify:

• The Claim
  What slogans, ad campaigns, or partnerships did the company use?
• The Reality
  What did reporters, whistleblowers, or researchers uncover about the company’s actual practices, ingredients, labor policies, or environmental impact?
  • What else has the author reported on in the past? Is their “beat” related to this industry or topic?

Tip: Once you find an article, you can try searching for it on popular social media sites. For example, was that article posted on X, Threads, etc? If so, how did the public react in the comments? While the comment sections are not credible sources of research alone, they are data points for you to consider alongside full articles, theories, and what you’ve learned in class.

You may need to explore other academic sources to expand, understand, and contextualize the impact of the washing incident.

Citing Your Sources

Your report must include:

• At least three credible sources
• One direct quote from a source
• In-text citations using APA or MLA format
  • You can use the “Cite this Item” feature through your library search for the reference list information.
• Hyperlinked citations to the original articles.
  • You can use the “permanent link” provided through your library search.

Before you include a source in your report, ask:

• Is it credible?
  Use articles from established periodicals like The Economist, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or Business Insider. Avoid blogs or opinion pieces unless they cite reliable reporting.
• Is it relevant?
  Does the article directly address the company’s marketing claims and the reality behind them?
• Does it offer evidence?
  Look for data, quotes from experts, or investigative reporting—not just opinions.
• Does it show bias?
  Be aware of the publication’s perspective. Use multiple sources to balance viewpoints.

You should always check with your instructor before using AI for coursework.

If you choose to use generative AI tools for course assignments, you want to make sure you are still providing proper citations for those materials. Most major style guides are still developing norms and conventions for AI generated materials so this material is likely to change. However, they have established some preliminary guidelines on citing AI generated content.

In general, here are some guidelines to remember about citing AI-generated resources no matter what citation style you use: 

• Always cite and acknowledge the outputs of AI generative tools when you use them in your work.
• Always verify information and sources generated by AI tools.
• These norms are constantly evolving; make sure you take a citation down. AI generated content is nonrecoverable. 

APA Style

When citing APA style using generative AI, credit the author of the algorithm. For example, if you are using ChatGPT then OpenAI would actually be the author. Like normal sources, APA is currently recommending in-text references and in your reference list. (Recommendations from APA as of Spring 2023)

Format:

Author. (Date). Name of tool (Version of tool) [Large language model]. URL

Example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

In-Text Citation Example:

(OpenAI, 2023)

For more information see: 

MLA Style

MLA currently is offering a more flexible example citing commonly used AI tools. Users are encouraged to adapt those guidelines to fit the situation. MLA views AI generated content as a source with no author. (Recommendations from MLA as of Spring 2023)

Format:
"Description of chat" prompt. Name of AI tool, version of AI tool, Company, Date of chat, URL.

Example: 

"Examples of harm reduction initiatives" prompt. ChatGPT, 23 Mar. version, OpenAI, 4 Mar. 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

In-Text Citation Example:

("Examples of harm reduction")

For more information see:

Chicago Style

Chicago style requires that you cite AI generated content in your work by including either a note or a parenthetical citation, but advises you not to include that source in your bibliography or reference list. The date for the citation will be when the content was generated. (Recommendations from CMS as of Spring 2023)

Format:
1. Author, Title, Publisher, Date, URL. 

Example (if information about the prompt has been included within the text of your paper):

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat. 

Example (including information about the prompt):

1. ChatGPT, response to "Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients," OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

For more information see: