Generative AI Policy

This policy applies to generative artificial intelligence and related systems that produce or transform text, images, audio, video, code, data, designs, translations, summaries, or analytical outputs.

AI and Authorship

An AI system may not be listed as an author, co-author, reviewer, or accountable contributor. AI systems cannot approve a manuscript, disclose conflicts of interest, hold copyright, or accept responsibility for the integrity of the work. Human authors remain fully accountable for every part of the submission.

Permitted Use by Authors

Authors may use AI tools for limited assistance such as language improvement, translation, coding support, idea organization, or clearly defined analytical procedures when their use is lawful, ethically appropriate, and methodologically valid. Authors must independently verify all output, protect confidential or personal data, check references and factual claims, and ensure that the final manuscript represents their own scholarly judgement.

Disclosure

Material use of AI must be disclosed in the Methods section, Acknowledgements, or a dedicated declaration. The disclosure should identify the tool and version when available, the purpose of use, the stage of the research or writing process, the type of content affected, and the human verification performed. Routine spelling and grammar checking does not normally require disclosure unless the tool substantially generated or transformed content.

Prohibited Use

  • Listing an AI system as an author or concealing substantial AI-generated content.
  • Using AI to fabricate, alter, or misrepresent data, participants, quotations, references, images, audio, video, artworks, or research records.
  • Submitting AI-generated citations without verifying the existence and accuracy of every source.
  • Uploading confidential, restricted, personal, culturally sensitive, or copyrighted material into a system without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
  • Using AI output as a substitute for scholarly analysis, interpretation, consent, ethical review, or author accountability.

Images and Creative Works

AI-generated or AI-altered images and creative works must be clearly identified. Their use must be relevant to the research question or creative method, and the authors must explain provenance, prompts or procedures where methodologically necessary, human intervention, limitations, and rights. AI tools may not be used to deceptively enhance, remove, insert, or fabricate research evidence.

Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers must not upload manuscripts, figures, review reports, author identities, or unpublished information to public or unapproved AI systems. Confidentiality applies throughout the editorial process. Any approved AI-assisted editorial tool must be used under publisher controls, with human oversight, and may not make the final acceptance or rejection decision.

Assessment of Suspected AI Use

AI-detection scores are not treated as conclusive evidence. The journal evaluates the manuscript, disclosures, supporting records, factual accuracy, citations, and author explanations. Editorial action is based on documented concerns and due process rather than a detection score alone.