Generative AI Policy

Science Education and Application Journal
Effective from Volume 9, Number 1, March 2027

Use of Large Language Models and Generative AI in Manuscript Preparation

Science Education and Application Journal recognizes that Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, and other Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) tools can serve as useful productivity tools in the preparation of scholarly manuscripts. These technologies may assist authors with idea generation, content organization, summarization, language refinement, grammar improvement, and enhancing the clarity and readability of manuscripts.

However, Generative AI tools have significant limitations and cannot replace human creativity, scholarly judgment, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, or intellectual responsibility. Human oversight and intervention remain essential to ensure the accuracy, validity, originality, relevance, and appropriateness of all content presented to readers.

This policy is established with consideration of principles of publication ethics, including relevant recommendations and guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) concerning the use of AI in scholarly publishing and authorship.

1. Authorship and Author Responsibility

1.1 AI Cannot Be an Author

ChatGPT, Large Language Models, Generative AI, and other AI-assisted tools cannot be listed as authors, co-authors, or authorship contributors in any manuscript submitted to Science Education and Application Journal.

AI tools cannot take responsibility for the content, integrity, originality, interpretation, or consequences of a scholarly publication and therefore do not meet the requirements for authorship.

1.2 Full Responsibility of Authors

Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the entire content of their manuscript, including any content that has been generated, edited, translated, summarized, or enhanced with the assistance of AI.

Authors must ensure that:

all information presented in the manuscript is accurate and verifiable;
research data and findings have not been fabricated or manipulated;
all citations and references are genuine, accurate, and relevant;
interpretations of research findings remain the intellectual responsibility of the authors;
the use of AI does not violate copyright or other intellectual property rights;
all AI-assisted content has been critically reviewed and validated by the authors; and
the final manuscript reflects the intellectual contribution and scholarly judgment of human authors.

2. Permitted Uses of AI

AI tools may be used as supporting tools in manuscript preparation, provided that their use remains under appropriate human supervision and does not replace the authors' intellectual contribution.

Permitted uses include the following:

2.1 Language and Grammar Refinement

AI may be used to assist with:

grammar correction;
spelling correction;
sentence structure;
language clarity;
readability;
consistency of terminology; and
general language refinement.

2.2 Drafting Assistance

AI may assist authors in preparing preliminary drafts of non-research-critical sections of a manuscript, such as parts of the Introduction or Discussion.

Any AI-generated text must be critically reviewed, substantially evaluated where appropriate, edited, and validated by the authors before submission.

2.3 Brainstorming and Idea Organization

AI may be used to assist with:

brainstorming;
organizing ideas;
developing outlines;
identifying possible discussion points; and
structuring manuscript content.

However, AI must not replace the authors' intellectual contribution in defining the research problem, establishing the research objectives, developing original hypotheses, designing the study, interpreting novel findings, or drawing original conclusions.

2.4 Literature Summarization

AI may be used to assist in summarizing existing literature. Authors must independently verify the accuracy of the summary and consult the original sources before citing or relying upon them.

2.5 Data Analysis, Programming, and Visualization Assistance

AI may be used to assist with programming, data processing, statistical analysis, or visualization when:

the procedures are understood and verified by the authors;
the results are independently checked;
the analytical process is reproducible; and
the authors remain responsible for the methods, analysis, and resulting conclusions.

When AI makes a substantive contribution to data processing, analysis, coding, or visualization, its use must be transparently described in the Methods section.

3. Limitations and Risks of Generative AI

Authors should be aware that AI-generated outputs may contain errors, biases, incomplete information, or misleading statements. Particular attention should be given to the following risks.

3.1 Bias

AI-generated content may contain social, cultural, gender, racial, linguistic, or other forms of bias. Minority perspectives may also be underrepresented in AI-generated outputs.

Authors must critically evaluate AI-generated content and ensure that their manuscript does not reproduce unsupported stereotypes, discriminatory statements, or unjustified biases.

3.2 Accuracy

LLMs may generate false, misleading, incomplete, or scientifically inaccurate information. They may produce linguistically coherent text containing fabricated facts, unsupported claims, or nonexistent citations.

Authors must therefore independently verify all factual statements, data, claims, citations, and references generated or suggested by AI.

3.3 Contextual Understanding

AI tools may have difficulty understanding specific disciplinary contexts, idioms, metaphors, sarcasm, humor, cultural expressions, or terminology.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted content accurately reflects the intended scientific meaning and context.

3.4 Training Data and Knowledge Limitations

AI systems rely on large datasets whose coverage and quality may vary across disciplines, languages, and research areas. AI-generated information may therefore be incomplete, outdated, or insufficiently representative of current scientific knowledge.

Authors must verify important information against authoritative and up-to-date sources.

4. Prohibited Uses of AI

The use of AI and AI-assisted technologies is strictly prohibited for the following purposes:

4.1 Fabrication and Falsification

AI must not be used to fabricate or manipulate:

research data;
experimental results;
observations;
statistical results;
research evidence;
research images;
participants or respondents; or
research findings that were not actually obtained through the study.

4.2 Fabricated References and Citations

Authors must not use references, citations, or sources generated by AI that do not actually exist.

All references must be independently verified against the original sources.

4.3 Replacement of Human Intellectual Contribution

AI must not replace the authors' core intellectual contribution to the research, including the independent formulation of research questions, methodological decisions, interpretation of novel findings, or development of original conclusions.

4.4 Plagiarism

Authors must not use AI-generated content to commit plagiarism or present another person's intellectual work as their own.

Authors should also verify AI-generated content for potential reproduction of substantial material from previously published sources.

4.5 Misrepresentation of Research

AI must not be used to intentionally mislead readers regarding the research methods, data, results, interpretation, or conclusions.

4.6 Breach of Confidentiality

Confidential, unpublished, sensitive, or proprietary information must not be entered into publicly accessible AI systems when doing so could compromise confidentiality, copyright, privacy, research integrity, or agreements with third parties.

5. Transparency and Disclosure

Authors must disclose the substantive use of Generative AI or Large Language Models in manuscript preparation.

The disclosure should identify:

the name of the AI tool or service;
the model or version, where relevant;
the purpose for which the tool was used;
the manuscript section or research stage affected by the AI tool; and
confirmation that the AI-assisted content was reviewed and validated by the authors.

The disclosure must be included at the end of the main manuscript file, immediately before the References section, under the following heading:

AI and AI-Assisted Technologies Declaration in the Writing Process

Recommended Disclosure Statement

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

Authors should modify the statement as necessary to accurately describe the nature and extent of AI use.

6. Basic Language and Reference Checking Tools

A specific AI declaration is not required when AI-assisted software is used solely for routine functions such as:

basic spelling checks;
basic grammar checks;
punctuation checks;
routine reference formatting; or
automated language correction.

However, disclosure is required when an AI tool is used to generate, substantially rewrite, develop, or expand the substantive content of the manuscript.

7. Verification of AI-Generated Content and Citations

Authors are required to:

verify the accuracy, validity, and relevance of AI-generated information;
verify every citation and reference suggested or generated by an AI tool;
ensure that all cited references actually exist and are obtained from reliable sources;
consult the original sources before using them to support scholarly arguments;
correct any errors, inconsistencies, or misleading statements produced by AI; and
ensure that AI-assisted content does not alter the intended scientific meaning or conclusions of the research.

AI-generated output must not be treated as a substitute for consulting and citing the original scholarly sources.

8. AI-Generated Images, Tables, and Visualizations

Generative AI may be used to assist in creating illustrations, figures, or visualizations when such use is appropriate and ethically acceptable.

When AI makes a substantive contribution to a figure, illustration, or visualization included in the publication, authors should disclose:

the AI tool used;
the purpose of its use;
the process of generating or editing the material; and
the steps taken to verify its accuracy and relevance.

AI must not be used to create, modify, or manipulate research images in a manner that misrepresents research evidence, experimental results, observations, or scientific findings.

9. Originality, Copyright, and Intellectual Property

Authors are responsible for ensuring that the use of AI does not infringe:

copyright;
intellectual property rights;
privacy rights;
data rights;
licensing requirements; or
other rights of third parties.

Authors should assess AI-generated materials for potential reproduction of copyrighted or previously published content and must ensure that appropriate attribution and permissions are obtained where required.

10. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers must protect the confidentiality and integrity of the peer-review process.

Editors and reviewers must not upload confidential manuscripts, reviewer reports, unpublished research data, editorial correspondence, or other confidential materials to publicly accessible AI systems when doing so could compromise confidentiality, copyright, privacy, or the integrity of the peer-review process.

Editors and reviewers should:

assess the appropriateness of AI use when relevant to the manuscript;
consider potential inaccuracies or misleading AI-generated content;
be alert to fabricated data or references;
maintain the confidentiality of materials received during peer review; and
report suspected misuse of AI in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures.

11. Consequences of Misuse

Failure to comply with this AI policy may constitute a serious breach of publication ethics.

If inappropriate or undisclosed AI use is identified, Science Education and Application Journal may take appropriate action depending on the nature and severity of the violation, including:

requesting clarification from the authors;
requiring manuscript revision;
rejecting the manuscript;
suspending the publication process;
issuing a correction for a published article;
retracting a published article; or
taking other appropriate editorial or ethical action.

If undisclosed or inappropriate AI use is discovered after publication, the journal may undertake appropriate corrective measures to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

12. Author Declaration and Responsibility

By submitting a manuscript to Science Education and Application Journal, authors confirm that:

they remain fully responsible for the entire content of the manuscript;
all factual information and references have been appropriately verified;
AI has not been used to fabricate or falsify research data or findings;
no AI tool has been listed as an author or co-author;
substantive AI use has been disclosed in accordance with this policy;
potential plagiarism or reproduction of content from other sources has been appropriately checked; and
the use of AI does not transfer scholarly or ethical responsibility from the authors to the AI tool.

13. Declaration When No Substantive AI Was Used

If no Generative AI or Large Language Model was used in a manner covered by this policy, authors do not need to include an AI declaration.

Likewise, routine use of basic spelling, grammar, punctuation, or reference-formatting tools does not require a specific declaration.

14. Policy Updates

This policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect developments in Artificial Intelligence technologies, changes in scholarly publishing practices, and emerging international standards and recommendations on publication ethics.

Authors, editors, reviewers, and all other parties involved in the publication process are expected to comply with the most recent version of this policy.

Policy Information

Journal: Science Education and Application Journal
Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Policy
Effective from: Volume 8, Number 2, September 2026
Applicable to: Authors, editors, reviewers, and other participants in the scholarly publishing process