Policy for AI Usage in Writing and Publishing for JPMM

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has significantly impacted academic writing and publishing. While AI can enhance productivity and support scholarly efforts, its use must align with ethical standards and academic integrity. This policy outlines guidelines for the appropriate use of AI in the preparation and submission of manuscripts to ensure transparency, accountability, and the credibility of academic work.

 

1. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all authors submitting manuscripts to the JPMM, as well as reviewers and editors involved in the peer review and editorial processes. It governs the use of AI tools at all stages of manuscript preparation, review, and publication.

 

2. Permissible Uses of AI for Authors

Authors may use AI tools in the following ways, provided they adhere to ethical standards:

• Language Editing: Tools like grammar and style checkers (e.g., Grammarly, Hemingway) to enhance clarity and coherence. Use of such tools does not require disclosure.
• Data Analysis: AI-based software for statistical analysis, data visualization, or computational tasks.
• Reference Management: AI-assisted tools for generating and organizing citations (e.g., EndNote, Zotero). Use of reference management tools does not require disclosure.
• Supplementary Assistance: AI tools may assist in literature reviews by identifying relevant sources but must not replace critical evaluation by authors.

 

3. Prohibited Uses of AI for Authors

The following uses of AI are not permitted:

• Authorship Attribution: AI tools cannot be listed as co-authors.
• Content Generation Without Disclosure: Authors must not use AI tools to generate substantive content (e.g., drafting text, creating results, or summarizing findings) without proper acknowledgment.
• Fabrication of Data: Use of AI to create falsified or manipulated data is strictly prohibited.
• Unverified Outputs: Authors must not rely on AI tools for generating scientific arguments, conclusions, or claims without rigorous validation.

 

4. AI Usage Guidelines for Reviewers

Reviewers may use AI tools in a limited capacity to support their review tasks, provided they adhere to the following guidelines:

• Permissible Uses:
• Language Assistance: AI tools may be used to improve clarity in comments or suggestions.
• Prohibited Uses:
• Content Generation: Reviewers must not use AI to draft reviews or generate comments without personal evaluation.
• Confidentiality Breach: Reviewers must not upload any part of the manuscript to any AI tool. AI tools must not be used in a way that compromises the confidentiality of the manuscript.

Reviewers are responsible for ensuring that their feedback is original, fair, and aligned with the journal's standards, regardless of AI involvement.

 

5. AI Usage Guidelines for Editors

Editors may use AI tools to facilitate the editorial process, but their use must align with the following principles:

• Permissible Uses:
• Administrative Assistance: AI may assist in managing submissions, tracking deadlines, and assigning reviewers.
• Plagiarism and Ethical Checks: Editors may use AI tools to identify potential ethical issues, such as plagiarism or undisclosed AI usage.
• Prohibited Uses:
• Decision Making: AI tools must not be used to make editorial decisions or evaluate the scientific merit of manuscripts.
• Content Creation: Editors must not use AI tools to draft editorial comments or correspondence without oversight.

Editors retain full responsibility for all editorial decisions and must ensure that AI tools do not replace their critical judgment or accountability.

 

6. Disclosure Requirements

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any use of AI tools beyond basic spelling, grammar checks, and reference management to maintain transparency. This includes:

• Details of AI Tools Used: Specify the tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard) and their purpose in a dedicated section (e.g., "Acknowledgments" or "Methods").
• Extent of AI Involvement: Provide a clear description of how the tool was utilized.
• Disclosure Statement Format: For any substantive AI assistance, authors must include the following statement at the end of the manuscript, before the References section:

"During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME TOOL / SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication."

• Ethical Compliance Statement: Include a statement affirming adherence to ethical standards for AI usage.

Authors are accountable for the accuracy, integrity and originality of their research papers, including for any use of AI. The author is fully responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by the tool and for correctly referencing any supporting work on which that information depends.

 

7. Verification of AI Use

• Editorial Oversight: Editors reserve the right to request additional details or clarifications regarding AI usage.
• Plagiarism and AI Content Checks: Manuscripts and reviews will be screened using advanced detection tools to ensure originality and identify potential AI-generated content.
• Validation of Results: Any AI-assisted data or findings must be reproducible and validated by the authors.

 

8. Accountability and Authorship

• Human Responsibility: Authors, reviewers, and editors bear full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and ethical compliance of their work, regardless of AI involvement.
• Authorship Criteria: Only individuals who meet the journal’s authorship criteria, such as significant intellectual contribution, can be credited as authors. AI tools do not meet these criteria.

 

9. Consequences of Misuse

Non-compliance with this policy may result in:

• Rejection of the manuscript.
• Retraction of published articles.
• Notification to the authors' or reviewers' affiliated institutions.
• Blacklisting from future submissions or review assignments, depending on the severity of the violation.

 

Conclusion

JPMM supports the responsible use of AI to advance scholarship while maintaining ethical standards. Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to use AI tools as assistants, not substitutes, in their academic endeavors. Transparency, accountability, and ethical integrity remain the cornerstones of academic publishing.