Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy for Manuscript Preparation

Journal of Transformative Pedagogies and Learner Engagement (JTPLE), published by Synergy Publication, is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical scholarly communication. This policy outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in manuscript preparation according to World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) Recommendations and Cope Guidelines.

Permitted Uses of AI Tools

Authors may use AI-based tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, or similar software) only in a supportive and non-substantive capacity, including:

  • Language editing, grammar correction, and formatting assistance

  • Improving clarity, readability, and style without altering meaning

  • Brainstorming, outlining, or idea organization

Such use must not compromise originality, intellectual contribution, or scholarly rigor.

Prohibited Uses of AI Tools

AI tools must not be used for:

  • Generating original scholarly content, including hypotheses, theoretical arguments, interpretations, or conclusions

  • Conducting automated literature reviews or systematic searches

  • Creating or fabricating data, results, tables, figures, or images (unless explicitly permitted and clearly labeled)

  • Assisting with peer review or editorial decision-making

  • Circumventing authorship responsibility

Use of AI in these ways constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection or further action.

Disclosure Requirement

Authors must provide full and transparent disclosure of any AI tool used during manuscript preparation.

An “AI Usage Disclosure” statement must be included in the Acknowledgements section or at the end of the manuscript, specifying:

  • Name(s) of the AI tool(s) used

  • Purpose of use (e.g., language editing, clarity enhancement)

  • Extent of AI involvement

AI tools must not be listed as authors under any circumstances. Authorship is limited to individuals who meet standard authorship criteria.

Use of Generative AI Tools

If generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) are used, authors must:

  • Clearly acknowledge such use in the manuscript

  • Ensure that AI-assisted content is reviewed, verified, and corrected by the authors

  • Provide additional methodological clarification if requested by the editors

Undisclosed use of AI tools may lead to rejection or post-publication corrective action.

Author Responsibility

Authors remain fully responsible for:

  • Accuracy, originality, and integrity of all manuscript content

  • Ensuring AI-assisted text does not introduce factual errors, bias, or plagiarism

  • Compliance with journal ethical standards

Use of AI tools does not transfer accountability from authors to software providers.

AI Content Screening and Editorial Assessment

As part of the editorial process, all submitted manuscripts may be assessed using AI-content detection tools in combination with editorial judgment.

If more than 20% of the manuscript content is identified as likely to be AI-generated—based on detection reports, textual analysis, and editorial evaluation—the manuscript will be considered to demonstrate excessive reliance on AI tools and may be:

  • Rejected without peer review, or

  • Returned to the author(s) for explanation and substantial revision, at the discretion of the editorial team

Detection tools are used only as supportive indicators. Final decisions are based on a holistic assessment of originality, intellectual contribution, author accountability, and ethical compliance.

Undisclosed AI-generated content exceeding the acceptable threshold may be treated as an ethical violation and handled in accordance with the journal’s Publication Ethics, Plagiarism, and Retraction Policies.

Non-Compliance and Ethical Violations

Failure to disclose AI use, or the submission of manuscripts in which more than 20% of content is generated by AI tools without a transparent declaration, may result in:

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript

  • Retraction of published articles

  • Notification to the author’s institution in cases of serious or repeated violations

Policy Review and Updates

This AI Usage Policy will be reviewed periodically as technologies, editorial standards, and international guidance evolve. Authors are encouraged to consult this policy prior to submission.

For clarification, authors may contact the editorial office before submitting a manuscript.