The Journal of Citizenship (JOC) acknowledges that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support the processes of scholarly work and the drafting of scientific articles. The use of AI is permitted on a limited and responsible basis, provided that academic integrity, originality, transparency, and author accountability remain the priorities.
Authors may use AI to assist with:
Checking grammar, spelling, and language clarity.
Assisting with translation, subject to verification by the author.
Assisting with preliminary literature searches.
Assisting with data processing, analysis, or visualization as a supporting tool, rather than as a substitute for the author's scholarly judgment.
Assisting with formatting or creating simple illustrations that do not infringe upon copyright.
AI must not be used to fabricate or manipulate data, research results, images, or scientific information; to generate the entire manuscript without author oversight and editing; or to produce content that contains plagiarism or infringes upon copyright.
Authors remain fully responsible for the entire content of the article, including sections created or improved with the assistance of AI. All AI outputs must be critically examined to ensure accuracy, originality, and reliability, and to confirm the absence of plagiarism, factual errors, and bias. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that all sources and information used have been verified and correctly cited.
Peer reviewers are prohibited from using generative AI or other AI tools to conduct peer reviews of manuscripts assigned by the journal—whether for generating, summarizing, or analyzing content, or for drafting review comments and recommendations.
This prohibition is enforced to maintain manuscript confidentiality, the independence of assessments, the integrity of the peer review process, and the protection of unpublished data and information. Reviewers are also prohibited from inputting manuscripts, manuscript excerpts, data, images, tables, or author-identifying information into third-party AI systems.
Reviewers must conduct their reviews independently, relying on their own expertise and scientific knowledge. All comments, recommendations, and decisions conveyed during the peer review process must reflect the reviewer's own professional assessment.
The use of AI in the drafting or development of an article must be transparently disclosed. Such a statement must, at a minimum, specify the name of the AI ??tool, its version or developer, and the purpose of its use, as well as a declaration that all AI-generated output has been verified and remains the responsibility of the author(s).
The use of AI for basic grammar and spelling corrections or general language refinement does not require specific disclosure, unless such use makes a substantive contribution to the manuscript's content.
Editors and reviewers reserve the right to request an explanation regarding AI usage if there are indications of inappropriate or undisclosed use. Non-compliance with this policy may result in a request for revision, manuscript rejection, article retraction post-publication, or reporting to the author's institution in cases of serious ethical violations.
The Journal of Citizenship (JOC) does not use AI as a substitute for editorial decisions or peer review. All decisions remain the responsibility of the designated editors and reviewers.
This AI usage policy will be periodically reviewed to align with technological advancements and guidelines on scientific publication ethics.
