Policies

Policies

Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools

The Journal acknowledges the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research and manuscript preparation. While such tools may assist in improving clarity and language, the responsibility for the content of the manuscript remains entirely with the authors.

Authors may use AI-assisted tools (e.g., for grammar checking or language refinement) under the following conditions:

  • AI tools must not be used to generate core scholarly content such as analysis, interpretation, discussion, or conclusions without appropriate human oversight
  • Authors must carefully review and validate all AI-assisted outputs to ensure accuracy, originality, and absence of bias
  • Any use of AI must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript under a section titled “AI Use Statement”, indicating the name of the tool, its purpose, and the extent of its use

AI tools must not:

  • Be listed as authors or co-authors
  • Be used to fabricate data, references, or results
  • Replace the author’s intellectual contribution

To safeguard the integrity of submissions, the Journal employs similarity and AI-detection tools, including Turnitin, to assess both textual overlap and potential AI-generated content.

As a general guideline:

  • Manuscripts with an AI-detection score exceeding 20% will be returned to the authors for revision
  • Authors will be asked to review, revise, and reduce AI-generated content to ensure that the manuscript reflects original scholarly work
  • Repeated or excessive reliance on AI tools without proper disclosure may be considered a breach of publication ethics

For figures and images:

  • AI-generated or significantly AI-manipulated images are not permitted unless scientifically justified and explicitly approved by the Editor
  • Adjustments to images must not alter or misrepresent the original data

The Journal reserves the right to request clarification or supporting information regarding the use of AI tools at any stage of the editorial process.

Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure Policy

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence the research or its interpretation.

Examples include:

  • Funding sources
  • Employment affiliations
  • Consultancies or financial interests

If no conflict exists, authors should explicitly state:

“The authors declare no conflict of interest.”

All funding sources must be acknowledged in the manuscript.

Editors and reviewers are likewise required to disclose conflicts and recuse themselves when necessary.

Plagiarism and Originality Policy

The Journal upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and originality in scholarly publishing. All submitted manuscripts must be the author’s original work and must not contain any form of plagiarism.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Copying text, ideas, data, or images without proper attribution
  • Self-plagiarism or reuse of previously published work without citation
  • Submission of substantially similar manuscripts to multiple journals

All submissions undergo similarity checking using plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin). As a general guideline, manuscripts should not exceed 15% similarity score, excluding references and commonly used phrases.

If plagiarism is detected:

  • Before review: the manuscript will be returned or rejected
  • During review: the process will be suspended pending clarification
  • After publication: the article may be corrected, retracted, or removed

Authors are expected to properly cite all sources and ensure full transparency in the use of existing literature.

Research Ethics Policy (Human and Animal Subjects)

Research involving human participants or animals must comply with recognized ethical standards.

Authors must:

  • Obtain approval from an appropriate ethics review board (IRB/ERC)
  • Provide a statement confirming ethical clearance
  • Secure informed consent from participants

For animal studies:

  • Follow institutional and national guidelines for humane treatment

Manuscripts without appropriate ethical compliance may be rejected.

References:

https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/the-use-of-generative-ai-and-ai-assisted-technologies-in-writing-for-elsevier