Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

Advances in Educational Studies and Inclusive Practices (AESIP), published by Synergy Publication, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical scholarly publishing. This policy outlines the acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools during manuscript preparation in accordance with the recommendations of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Permitted Uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Authors may use AI-assisted tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, DeepL Write, or similar technologies) only to provide limited editorial or language assistance. Acceptable uses include:

  • Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language editing.
  • Improving readability, clarity, and writing style without altering the scientific meaning.
  • Formatting assistance and manuscript organization.
  • Brainstorming or outlining ideas that remain subject to the authors' independent scholarly judgment.

Any use of AI must not compromise the originality, intellectual contribution, scholarly rigor, or integrity of the submitted work.

2. Prohibited Uses of Artificial Intelligence

AI tools must not be used to:

  • Generate original research findings, hypotheses, theoretical arguments, interpretations, or conclusions.
  • Conduct literature reviews or systematic evidence synthesis without human verification.
  • Create, manipulate, fabricate, or falsify research data, tables, figures, images, or statistical analyses.
  • Produce fabricated citations or references.
  • Replace critical scholarly judgment or authorship responsibilities.
  • Assist reviewers or editors in confidential peer-review activities unless expressly authorized by the journal.

Use of AI in these ways constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in editorial action, including rejection of the manuscript.

3. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must provide a clear and transparent disclosure whenever AI tools have been used during manuscript preparation.

An AI Usage Disclosure Statement should be included in the Acknowledgements section or another appropriate section of the manuscript describing:

  • The name of the AI tool(s) used.
  • The specific purpose for which the tool was used (e.g., language editing or writing assistance).
  • The extent of AI involvement in manuscript preparation.

Artificial Intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors under any circumstances. Authorship is restricted to individuals who satisfy the journal's authorship criteria and who accept full responsibility for the content of the manuscript.

4. Use of Generative AI Tools

If generative AI technologies (such as ChatGPT or similar large language models) are used, authors must:

  • Clearly disclose their use within the manuscript.
  • Carefully review, verify, and edit all AI-assisted text before submission.
  • Ensure that all statements, references, interpretations, and conclusions are accurate and supported by reliable scholarly evidence.
  • Provide additional clarification regarding AI use if requested during editorial assessment.

Failure to disclose the use of generative AI tools may result in rejection of the manuscript or appropriate post-publication action.

5. Author Responsibility

Regardless of any AI assistance, authors remain fully responsible for:

  • The originality, accuracy, and integrity of all submitted content.
  • Verifying facts, references, quotations, data, and interpretations.
  • Ensuring AI-assisted text does not introduce plagiarism, fabricated references, factual inaccuracies, bias, or misleading information.
  • Compliance with all journal policies and accepted standards of publication ethics.

The use of AI tools does not transfer accountability from authors to software developers or AI service providers.

6. AI Content Screening and Editorial Assessment

As part of the editorial evaluation process, submitted manuscripts may be assessed using AI-content detection technologies together with editorial expertise and human judgment.

If editorial assessment indicates that more than 20% of the manuscript appears to consist of AI-generated content, without sufficient original intellectual contribution by the authors or without appropriate disclosure, the manuscript may be:

  • Rejected before peer review; or
  • Returned to the authors for explanation, revision, and resubmission at the discretion of the editorial team.

AI-detection software serves only as a supplementary screening tool. Editorial decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of originality, scholarly contribution, transparency, ethical compliance, and author accountability.

Undisclosed or excessive reliance on AI-generated content may be considered a violation of the journal's Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, and Editorial Policies.

7. Non-Compliance and Ethical Violations

Failure to disclose AI use, submission of misleading AI-generated content, fabricated references, or excessive reliance on AI technologies may result in one or more of the following actions:

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
  • Withdrawal or retraction of a published article where appropriate.
  • Notification of the author's institution or funding organization in cases of serious publication misconduct.
  • Restriction of future submissions to the journal depending on the severity of the violation.

8. Policy Review and Updates

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect developments in AI technologies, international publishing standards, and guidance issued by organizations such as COPE and WAME.

Authors are encouraged to consult the most recent version of this policy before submitting their manuscripts. Questions regarding the acceptable use of AI tools may be directed to the journal's editorial office prior to submission.