Clinical trial NCT06511102: Impact of GPT Use on Essay Writing Performance and Cognitive Abilities
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Impact of Using Generative Artificial Intelligence on Analytical Writing Performance and Cognitive Abilities
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cognitive Change
Well-Being, Psychological
Lead sponsor: University Hospital Heidelberg
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-07-19
Enrollment: 160
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 35
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: The goal of this randomized controlled lab experiment is to examine if using generated artificial intelligence (AI) technology will affect people's academic performance and cognitive abilities in the context of analytical writing among college students. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does using the technology affect students' writing performance?
2. Does using the technology affect students' cognitive effort during the writing process?

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group, which is writing without AI assistance, or an experimental group, which is writing with the assistance of ChatGPT. Researchers will compare the two groups to see if ChatGPT affects students' writing performance and cognitive effort.

For each participant, the lab experiment will last for no more than 1.5 hours. An eye-tracker will monitor the participant's gaze activities and pupil size. A functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will monitor the participant's brain activities in the frontal lobe. During the experiment, participants will be asked to:

1. Read learning materials on analytical writing techniques.
2. Based on the previously provided materials, complete an analytical writing assignment that will take approximately 30 minutes either with or without the aid of ChatGPT.
3. Answer survey questions about their experience with the writing assignment, attitudes on using ChatGPT, and demographic backgrounds.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Full-time university student.
* Able to read and write in English.
* Use the computer most days of the week.
* Have not taken, nor currently preparing for, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
* Do not wear glasses (contact lenses are allowed).
* Have no eye impairment.
* Not currently taking any opioids, epinephrine, or anti-hypertensive drugs.
* During the experiment, not wearing any makeup around the eyes.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Writing Performance
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Cognitive Effort Measured by Pupil Size
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Self-Perception of Writing Performance
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Self-Perception of Cognitive Effort
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Cognitive Effort Measured by Cortical Hemodynamic Activity in the Frontal Lobe
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Self-Perception of Stress
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Self-Perception of Challenge
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Self-Efficacy in Writing
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Situational Interest in Analytical Writing
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
measure: Behavioral Intention in Using ChatGPT
timeFrame: 1.5 hours
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Heidelberg
country: Germany
facility: Core Facility for Neuroscience of Self-Regulation, Heidelberg University
Study officials:
affiliation: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
name: Till Bärnighausen
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: