AI Policy

The journal recognizes that artificial intelligence tools, including generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), large language models (LLMs), chatbots, writing assistants, image-generation tools, coding assistants, and data-analysis tools, may support scholarly research and manuscript preparation. However, the use of AI tools must be transparent, ethical, accountable, and consistent with the principles of academic integrity.

This policy is intended to guide authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff in the responsible use of AI tools during manuscript preparation, peer review, editorial assessment, and publication. The journal follows the principle that AI tools may assist human work, but they cannot replace human responsibility, scholarly judgment, or editorial accountability.

1. Use of AI Tools by Authors

Authors may use AI tools to support certain aspects of manuscript preparation, such as language editing, grammar checking, formatting assistance, literature organization, coding support, data processing, or idea development. However, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and validity of all content submitted to the journal.

  • AI tools may be used to improve language clarity, grammar, spelling, and formatting.
  • AI tools may be used to support data analysis, coding, visualization, or technical assistance, provided that the authors verify the output.
  • AI tools must not be used to fabricate data, generate false references, manipulate results, create misleading images, or produce unsupported claims.
  • Authors must carefully review, edit, verify, and take responsibility for any AI-assisted content included in the manuscript.

2. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools when such tools are used for purposes beyond basic language editing, spelling correction, grammar checking, or formatting. Disclosure is required when AI tools contribute substantially to content generation, data analysis, image generation, coding, study design, interpretation, or any other part of the research or writing process.

The disclosure should include the name of the AI tool, the version or model when available, the provider, and a brief explanation of how the tool was used.

  • AI use for grammar, spelling, formatting, or minor language polishing does not normally require disclosure.
  • AI use for generating text, summarizing literature, developing code, analyzing data, creating images, or assisting interpretation should be disclosed.
  • AI-assisted content must be checked for accuracy, originality, bias, and appropriate citation.

3. Suggested Disclosure Statement

When disclosure is required, authors may use the following format:

During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [name of AI tool, version/model if available] to assist with [brief description of use]. The author(s) reviewed, edited, and verified the output and take full responsibility for the content of the published work.

4. Authorship and Accountability

AI tools cannot be listed as authors, co-authors, contributors, or corresponding authors. Authorship is limited to human individuals who make substantial scholarly contributions and are able to take responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and accountability of the work.

  • AI tools cannot approve the final manuscript.
  • AI tools cannot take responsibility for research integrity or publication ethics.
  • AI tools cannot respond to reviewer comments or editorial inquiries on behalf of the authors.
  • Human authors are fully responsible for all AI-assisted content included in the manuscript.

5. Accuracy, References, and Verification

Authors must verify all information generated or supported by AI tools. AI-generated content may contain errors, fabricated references, inaccurate summaries, biased statements, or unsupported claims. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all references, quotations, data, methods, results, and interpretations are accurate and properly cited.

  • All references must be checked against original and reliable sources.
  • AI-generated citations or bibliographic entries must not be used without verification.
  • Authors must ensure that AI-assisted text does not reproduce copyrighted or plagiarized content.
  • Any AI-supported analysis must be reproducible, transparent, and methodologically appropriate.

6. Use of AI Tools in Images, Figures, Tables, and Data

If AI tools are used to create, modify, enhance, or analyze images, figures, tables, datasets, or visualizations, authors must disclose this use when it affects the scholarly content of the manuscript.

  • AI-generated or AI-modified figures must not misrepresent data, results, or research objects.
  • Image manipulation that changes the meaning of research evidence is prohibited.
  • AI-assisted data processing or analysis must be described clearly when it forms part of the research method.
  • Authors must retain original data and documentation when required for editorial verification.

7. Use of AI Tools by Reviewers

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts assigned to them. Manuscripts, reviewer reports, unpublished data, figures, or other confidential materials must not be uploaded to external AI tools or platforms that may store, process, or reuse the content.

  • Reviewers should not use AI tools to generate peer-review reports in place of their own expert judgment.
  • Reviewers must not upload confidential manuscript content to AI systems without permission from the journal.
  • Reviewers may use AI tools only for limited language improvement of their own review comments, provided that confidentiality is preserved.
  • If AI tools are used in preparing review comments, reviewers should disclose this to the editorial team.

8. Use of AI Tools by Editors

Editors and editorial board members must protect the confidentiality and integrity of the editorial process. AI tools must not be used to replace editorial judgment, make editorial decisions, or process confidential manuscript content in a way that compromises author privacy or manuscript confidentiality.

  • Editorial decisions must be made by human editors based on reviewer feedback, journal policy, and academic merit.
  • Editors must not rely on AI tools as the sole basis for accepting or rejecting a manuscript.
  • Editors must not upload confidential manuscript files, reviewer comments, or author responses to external AI tools without appropriate safeguards.
  • AI tools may be used for administrative or language-support purposes only when confidentiality and data protection are maintained.

9. Ethical Responsibilities

All use of AI tools must comply with the journal's publication ethics, plagiarism policy, data integrity requirements, authorship policy, and conflict-of-interest policy. AI-assisted work must uphold the same standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability as any other scholarly work.

  • AI tools must not be used to create fake data, false authorship, manipulated images, fabricated references, or misleading claims.
  • AI-assisted writing must not hide plagiarism, duplicate publication, or inappropriate reuse of previous work.
  • Authors must ensure that AI use does not violate privacy, copyright, confidentiality, or data protection rules.
  • Failure to disclose substantial AI use may be treated as a publication ethics concern.

10. Policy Updates

This policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect developments in artificial intelligence, research practice, publication ethics, and scholarly publishing standards. Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to contact the editorial office if they are uncertain about whether a specific use of AI tools is appropriate or requires disclosure.