Generative AI Policy

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

This journal recognizes the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and AI-assisted technologies in scholarly research and publishing. The journal supports responsible use of these technologies where they assist researchers and authors while maintaining academic integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and human accountability.

Authors

Authors may use GenAI or AI-assisted tools for purposes such as improving grammar, language, readability, translation, formatting, brainstorming, coding, or other appropriate research-support activities.
Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, including its accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance. All AI-assisted content must be carefully reviewed and verified by the authors before submission.
GenAI tools must not be used to fabricate or manipulate research data, results, references, quotations, participants, observations, or other research materials. Authors must also ensure that AI-assisted content does not introduce plagiarism, fabricated information, inappropriate citations, copyright violations, or other forms of academic misconduct.
AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires human responsibility and accountability for the work.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors should disclose the use of GenAI or AI-assisted technologies when they have made a substantive contribution to the manuscript, research, analysis, or presentation.
The disclosure should identify the AI tool used and describe its purpose. For example:
“The authors used [AI tool name] to assist with language editing and improving the readability of the manuscript. All AI-assisted content was reviewed and verified by the authors, who remain responsible for the final content.”
Routine use of AI-assisted spelling, grammar, or language correction does not normally require disclosure unless it involves substantive generation or modification of the manuscript.
When AI is used as part of the research methodology, data analysis, coding, or other substantive research activities, its use should be described in the appropriate section of the manuscript.

AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Data

The use of AI to generate or substantially modify images, figures, illustrations, diagrams, or other visual materials must be disclosed where it makes a substantive contribution to the work.
AI-generated images must not be presented as genuine research evidence, photographs, experimental results, or other original scientific material when they are not. AI must not be used to manipulate research images or visual evidence in a misleading manner.
Authors using AI for data processing, coding, classification, statistical assistance, or other analytical activities remain responsible for validating the methodology, checking the outputs, and ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of the results.
Confidential, personally identifiable, proprietary, unpublished, or sensitive research data should not be uploaded to public or third-party AI systems unless appropriate authorization and data-protection safeguards are in place.

Editors

Editors may use AI-assisted tools for limited administrative or editorial-support activities where appropriate. However, editorial decisions must remain under human oversight and responsibility.
Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, and other editorial materials. Confidential materials should not be uploaded to publicly accessible AI systems where their security and confidentiality cannot be adequately assured.
Editors may request clarification or disclosure from authors when substantive AI use is identified or suspected.

Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and all materials received during the peer-review process.
Reviewers should not upload manuscripts, substantial portions of manuscripts, figures, tables, supplementary materials, or confidential information to public GenAI tools unless such use is explicitly permitted by the journal and appropriate confidentiality safeguards are in place.
Where AI use is permitted, reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy and quality of their review and must independently evaluate and verify any AI-generated suggestions. AI systems cannot serve as peer reviewers or replace the reviewer's expert judgment.

Research Integrity and Accountability

The use of GenAI does not, by itself, constitute academic misconduct. However, undisclosed substantive use, fabrication or manipulation of research content, plagiarism, misleading presentation of AI-generated material, or other inappropriate use of AI may constitute a violation of the journal's publication-ethics requirements.
The journal may request additional information about the use of AI and may take appropriate editorial action when necessary to protect research and publication integrity.
Ultimately, human authors, editors, and reviewers remain responsible for their respective contributions. The journal encourages the responsible use of AI as a tool to support scholarly communication while preserving human accountability, transparency, academic integrity, confidentiality, and originality.