Generative AI Policy
Precision Digital Publishers (PDP) recognises that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools can support research, writing, analysis and scholarly communication. Their use must be transparent, responsible and consistent with research integrity, confidentiality and human accountability.
This policy applies to authors, peer reviewers, editors and editorial board members of PDP journals.
Generative AI Policy
Authorship and Accountability
AI tools, including chatbots, large language models and AI image generators, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy, integrity and originality of scholarly work.
Authors remain fully responsible for the entire manuscript, including all AI-assisted text, data analysis, code, figures, references and conclusions. They must independently verify AI-generated content for accuracy, relevance, originality and appropriate attribution.
AI-generated material must not be presented as verified research or as the work of another person without appropriate acknowledgement and attribution.
Acceptable Use of AI
Subject to appropriate verification and disclosure, authors may use AI-assisted tools for purposes such as:
- Language improvement, grammar correction and readability.
- Literature discovery and preliminary research organisation.
- Developing, reviewing or debugging code.
- Data organisation and analytical assistance.
- Preparing outlines or improving manuscript structure.
- Creating or processing images where scientifically appropriate and transparently reported.
Authors must exercise independent scholarly judgement and ensure that any AI-assisted work is suitable for the research purpose. The use of AI does not replace the need for appropriate expertise, valid research methods or reliable evidence.
Prohibited and Inappropriate Use
AI tools must not be used to:
- Fabricate or falsify research data, results, references or evidence.
- Manipulate images, figures, tables or analytical results in a way that misrepresents the underlying research.
- Present unverified AI-generated claims or references as authentic.
- Plagiarise or misrepresent another person’s work, ideas or intellectual property.
- Conceal material AI involvement where disclosure is required.
- Breach confidentiality, privacy, copyright or applicable research ethics requirements.
- Misrepresent the methods, findings, limitations or conclusions of a study.
Synthetic or AI-generated data and images may be used only where scientifically appropriate, transparently described and permitted by the relevant journal. They must not be represented as authentic observations or evidence when they are not.
Authors must independently verify references against the original sources. AI-generated content must not be used as a substitute for citing relevant original research.
Disclosure Requirements for Authors
Authors must disclose whether generative AI or other AI-assisted tools were used in preparing the submitted work. Where tools were used, the disclosure should identify:
- The name of the tool and its version, where available.
- The purpose and nature of its use.
- The relevant research or manuscript activities in which it was used.
- Confirmation that the authors reviewed and verified the output and accept responsibility for the final work.
Routine spelling correction, basic grammar checking and non-generative reference-management or formatting functions do not require disclosure unless they involve substantive generation or alteration of content.
The disclosure should be included in the section specified by the journal, normally the Acknowledgements or a separate Declaration of AI Use. Where AI was used for data collection, analysis, coding or figure generation, its use should also be described in the relevant Methods or equivalent section.
Authors must answer AI-related questions in the OJS submission process accurately and must not provide misleading declarations.
Authors should use the statement that accurately reflects their use of AI-assisted tools.
Option A: Where AI Was Used
Declaration of AI Use: During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [Tool Name, Version Number] for [specify purpose, e.g., language editing and grammatical polishing]. Following the use of this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as necessary and take full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the final published work.
Option B: Where No AI Was Used
Declaration of AI Use: The authors declare that no generative AI tools or AI-assisted technologies were used in the research, data analysis, drafting, or editing of this manuscript
AI Use by Peer Reviewers
Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts, supplementary files, unpublished data or other confidential review materials to external AI systems unless the authors have explicitly permitted the use and confidentiality requirements are satisfied.
Reviewers must not use generative AI to conduct or replace their independent scholarly assessment, or to generate or substantially draft peer-review reports. Reviewers are responsible for the accuracy, fairness, confidentiality and originality of their assessments.
Any permitted AI assistance must comply with the journal’s instructions and applicable confidentiality requirements. Reviewers must disclose relevant AI use to the editor where required and must report suspected research-integrity concerns through the appropriate editorial channel.
AI Use by Editors and Editorial Staff
Editors and editorial staff must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, author information and editorial correspondence.
AI tools must not independently determine manuscript acceptance or rejection, replace editorial judgement, or make final decisions on alleged research misconduct. Editors remain responsible for all editorial decisions and communications.
Any permitted AI assistance must be subject to appropriate human oversight, protect confidential information and comply with the journal’s editorial procedures. AI tools must not be used to generate or assess peer reviews in place of qualified human reviewers.
AI Detection and Investigation
AI-detection tools may be used as preliminary screening aids, but their results are not conclusive evidence of misconduct. Editorial decisions must not be based solely on AI-detection scores.
Where concerns arise regarding undisclosed, inaccurate or inappropriate AI use, the journal may request clarification, supporting information or relevant research records from the authors. Concerns will be assessed fairly and in proportion to the available evidence.
Depending on the findings and the stage of publication, action may include a request for revision, rejection, correction, an Expression of Concern, retraction or referral to the author’s institution or another relevant authority.
Compliance and Policy Application
Failure to disclose relevant AI use, submission of fabricated or misleading content, or breaches of confidentiality may constitute a violation of the journal’s policies.
PDP will assess concerns in accordance with its Research Ethics and Integrity, Plagiarism and Similarity, Peer Review, and Corrections and Retractions policies, as applicable.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect developments in AI technology, research integrity and recognised scholarly publishing guidance.