Journal Policy on Generative AI

As an academic journal, we recognize the potential benefits and ethical concerns of using generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a research tool. We believe that AI can serve as a valuable tool in assisting researchers with data analysis, authorship, and other research-related tasks. However, we also acknowledge the importance of ethical considerations when using AI in research. Our policy statement is grounded in the principle that AI should be used in ways that uphold ethical values such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and respect for individual rights. Authors must include a disclosure statement with their manuscript outlining the names and versions of the AI used and the extent of their use in the manuscript. This requirement encourages authors to carefully consider how they employ AI and promotes transparency in the research process. 

Based on the journal’s updated policies, generative AI use should be declared precisely by authors based on APA journals policy on generative AI (November 2023), in particular, the updated policy published on August 2025:

 APA Journals policy on generative AI

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/resources/publishing-tips/policy-generative-ai 

 

Use of AI in Writing Assistance:
While the use of AI for writing assistance is permitted, authors must ensure that the final manuscript reflects their individual writing style, thoughts, and unique contributions. AI should serve as a support tool, not a replacement for the author’s intellectual input. Manuscripts should avoid sounding overly automated or generic, ensuring that the work retains its academic integrity and personal voice.

Encouragement for AI in Copyediting:
Authors are encouraged to utilize AI for copyediting purposes, such as improving language clarity, conciseness, organization, communication, and formatting. AI can be a valuable tool to enhance the overall quality of the manuscript without compromising the originality of the content. However, authors should document how AI was used during the editing process within the disclosure statement to maintain transparency.

Transparency and Documentation:
Researchers are expected to be fully transparent about the use of AI in their research. This includes providing detailed documentation of the AI tools used, the extent of their involvement in data analysis, writing, or any other research-related task, and the measures taken to ensure ethical use. Researchers should also disclose any limitations or potential biases of the AI models and make their data and models available for scrutiny and replication.

Ethical Considerations and Bias Mitigation:
Researchers must ensure that the data used to train AI models is representative and unbiased, and that the algorithms are transparent and explainable. Continuous bias assessment and mitigation should be part of the research process. To ensure comprehensive and balanced analysis, researchers are encouraged to consider using multiple AI models or combining AI with other research methods.

AI in Peer Review and Editorial Processes:
AI may be used to assist in generating review feedback. However, all AI-generated feedback will be reviewed and validated by human reviewers to prevent potential errors or biases from influencing the review process. This ensures that the integrity of the peer review process is maintained.

Consent for AI-Assisted Copyediting:
Accepted manuscripts may be reviewed by AI to assist with copyediting to fix simple punctuation and grammar errors, to confirm compliance with APA style, and to ensure clarity and readability. All changes will be tracked in the file for authors to review before publication. This process ensures that no content will be altered without the authors’ knowledge, maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the manuscript. By submitting a manuscript to this journal, authors provide consent for the manuscript to be uploaded to AI platforms for the purpose of copyediting once accepted. The journal guarantees that this process will comply with all relevant data protection laws, ensuring the confidentiality and security of the authors' work.

Ethical Use and Transparency:
Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants before collecting or using any data and ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and their personal information are protected. Researchers must be aware of the potential biases and limitations of generative AI and take steps to mitigate these issues.

Researchers must be transparent about the use of generative AI in their research, including acknowledging its contributions in any publications or presentations. While AI should not be listed as a co-author, its use as a writing tool should be identified in an author note.

This journal supports the ethical use of generative AI as a research tool. We encourage researchers to follow these guidelines to ensure that their use of this technology is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in their field.