NCT06511102

Impact of GPT Use on Essay Writing Performance and Cognitive Abilities

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Impact of Using Generative Artificial Intelligence on Analytical Writing Performance and Cognitive Abilities

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (actual)
• Sponsor: University Hospital Heidelberg · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Cognitive Change
• Well-Being, Psychological

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	GPT Support	The computer interface used for the essay writing task follows a split-screen design. The writing instructions and text input field are administered on a survey platform, placed on the left half of the screen. ChatGPT is placed on the right half of the screen for technology assistance.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-07-18
• Primary completion: 2025-02-20
• Completion: 2025-02-20
• First posted: 2024-07-19
• Last updated: 2025-07-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany