Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy
The Turkish Research Journal of Academic Social Science (TURAJAS) supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence – AI) tools in scientific research and publication processes.
TURAJAS conducts its policies regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in accordance with internationally recognized ethical principles and practices in scholarly publishing, particularly those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools must not compromise the integrity of scientific research, the responsibility of authors, the confidentiality of the peer-review process, or the principles of publication ethics.
1. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by Authors
1.1. General Principle
Authors may use generative artificial intelligence tools in processes such as manuscript preparation, language improvement, translation, data analysis, coding, or similar research-related activities.
However, the authors always bear ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, scientific quality, originality, and ethical appropriateness of content generated or supported by generative artificial intelligence.
The use of artificial intelligence tools does not relieve authors of their responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their work.
1.2. Authorship
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any similar generative artificial intelligence tool cannot be listed as an author or co-author of a manuscript.
Authorship requires responsibility and accountability for the accuracy and integrity of the work. Since artificial intelligence tools cannot assume such responsibility, they do not meet the criteria for authorship.
The use of artificial intelligence tools does not require such tools to be identified as authors, and AI tools cannot be included in the author list.
1.3. Transparency and Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence Use
Authors are required to clearly disclose any substantial and generative use of artificial intelligence during manuscript preparation or the research process.
The use of AI-assisted tools solely for spelling and grammar checking, straightforward language correction, editing, and formatting does not require separate disclosure, provided that such use does not generate or substantially alter the scientific content of the manuscript.
In particular, the use of generative artificial intelligence must be disclosed when it is used for:
· Generating text or content;
· Substantially restructuring or developing text;
· Data analysis;
· Generating or developing code;
· Translation;
· Generating images, figures, or other content;
· Substantial use of generative artificial intelligence during the research process.
The disclosure concerning the use of artificial intelligence must be clearly stated under the heading “Declaration of Generative AI Use” before the “References” section of the manuscript.
The disclosure should specify, as clearly as possible, the name of the artificial intelligence tool used, the purpose for which it was used, and how it was used during the research or manuscript preparation process.
1.4. Responsibility for Content and Verification
Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy of content generated or supported by generative artificial intelligence tools.
The use of artificial intelligence tools must not result in:
· Fabrication or alteration of data;
· Distortion of scientific findings;
· Generation of non-existent references;
· Incorrect or misleading representation of sources;
· Plagiarism;
· Unauthorized reproduction of other works;
· Generation of misleading or scientifically false content.
Authors are required to verify the accuracy of information, references, data, analyses, or other scientific outputs provided by artificial intelligence against original and reliable sources.
Authors are responsible for any inaccurate, misleading, or fabricated content generated by artificial intelligence and included in the manuscript.
1.5. Artificial Intelligence as a Source
Generative artificial intelligence tools cannot be used as sources of scientific information and cannot be cited as scholarly sources in the reference list of a manuscript.
Authors are required to support scientific claims made in their manuscripts with original, verifiable, and reliable academic sources.
Information obtained from generative artificial intelligence tools cannot be used as scientific evidence or a source unless the relevant original sources have been located and the information has been verified against those sources.
1.6. Images, Graphs, and Figures
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools to create or modify scientific figures, graphs, photographs, or other visual materials may be considered, provided that such use is clearly disclosed and scientific integrity is maintained.
However, the misleading alteration of real data, experimental results, or scientific findings through generative artificial intelligence, or the fabrication of such materials in a manner that misrepresents reality, is not permitted.
If the subject of the study directly concerns AI-based image generation or image processing, the tool, method, and process used must be described in detail in the Methods section.
2. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by Reviewers
The peer-review process is based on the principles of strict confidentiality and impartiality. Reviewers are required to protect the confidentiality of unpublished manuscripts submitted to them for evaluation.
2.1. Confidentiality and Data Security
Reviewers must not upload the whole or any part of manuscripts submitted for review, including abstracts, datasets, tables, figures, supplementary materials, or any other confidential information related to the review process, to ChatGPT or similar publicly accessible generative artificial intelligence platforms.
Content uploaded to such platforms may be subject to the relevant service provider's data processing, storage, or reuse policies. Therefore, transferring unpublished and confidential academic materials to third-party artificial intelligence systems may pose serious risks to manuscript confidentiality, copyright, and the protection of unpublished research data.
Reviewers must refrain from any use of artificial intelligence that could compromise the confidentiality of the peer-review process.
2.2. Preparation of Peer-Review Reports
Peer-review reports must be based on the reviewer's own scientific expertise, critical assessment, and academic judgment.
Reviewers must not use generative artificial intelligence tools to generate their peer-review reports or scientific assessments of manuscripts.
Reviewers must also not upload manuscript content to generative artificial intelligence tools for the purpose of evaluating the scientific quality, originality, or methodological adequacy of the manuscript.
The use of an automated tool solely for editing or rewriting a review prepared by the reviewer may be acceptable, provided that manuscript confidentiality is not compromised and such use is disclosed to the editör.
The reviewer always retains ultimate responsibility for the scientific assessment and the content of the peer-review report.
3. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by Editors
Editors are responsible for safeguarding the security, impartiality, confidentiality, and academic integrity of the publication process.
3.1. Editorial Decision-Making Process
Editorial decisions, including decisions regarding acceptance, rejection, or revision, must not be delegated entirely to generative artificial intelligence tools or algorithms.
Editors must not use generative artificial intelligence to generate scientific assessments or editorial decisions. Where automated tools are used to support the publication process, their outputs serve only as supplementary information, and the final evaluation and decision remain the responsibility of the relevant editor.
3.2. Use of AI Detection and Automated Tools
Editors may, where appropriate, use various software tools to assess text similarity or make use of available AI-assisted detection tools in submitted manuscripts.
However, the results produced by AI detection tools must not be regarded as definitive or infallible evidence. Such tools may produce false-positive or false-negative results.
Therefore:
· A manuscript must not be rejected solely on the basis of the result of an AI detection tool.
· Human assessment must be conducted in cases of uncertainty.
· Authors may be asked to provide explanations or additional information where necessary.
· Final ethical or editorial decisions must be based on the totality of the available evidence rather than solely on automated detection results.
· Automated tools routinely used by TURAJAS or its publisher in the publication process will be appropriately disclosed in the relevant journal policies or information pages. The suitability of automated tools for their intended purpose is evaluated, and such tools are appropriately tested for their intended use.
· Outputs generated by automated tools concerning text similarity, image manipulation or duplication, undisclosed use of generative artificial intelligence, automated reviewer suggestions, or similar matters do not by themselves determine the final decision. Such outputs are reviewed and verified by the relevant editor or another authorized person. Final editorial decisions are made under human oversight.
3.3. Reviewer Selection and Editorial Communication
Editors must not upload unpublished manuscript content, personal data, or other confidential information to publicly accessible generative artificial intelligence tools during reviewer selection, the evaluation process, or editorial correspondence.
Even where artificial intelligence tools are used for editorial support, the confidentiality of manuscript and author information must be protected, and the final assessment must be carried out by the editor.
4. Academic and Ethical Responsibility
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools does not supersede or remove TURAJAS's rules concerning publication ethics, academic integrity, and the principles of scientific research.
When using artificial intelligence tools, authors, reviewers, and editors are required to respect:
· Scientific integrity;
· Confidentiality;
· Copyright;
· Protection of personal data;
· Academic originality;
· Research ethics.
If the use of artificial intelligence is misrepresented or improperly disclosed, if fabricated data or references are generated through artificial intelligence, if confidential manuscript content is transferred to artificial intelligence systems without authorization, or if artificial intelligence is used in a manner that compromises scientific integrity, TURAJAS may conduct the necessary review and take appropriate action in accordance with its publication ethics and academic integrity principles.
5. Ultimate Responsibility
Generative artificial intelligence tools may only be used as assistive tools. Their use does not transfer or eliminate human responsibility for scientific work.
Ultimate responsibility for the content, scientific accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, and integrity of a manuscript rests with the authors; responsibility for the quality and integrity of peer review rests with the reviewers; and ultimate responsibility for editorial evaluation and publication decisions rests with the editors.
TURAJAS may update this policy as necessary in response to developments in generative artificial intelligence technologies and international standards in scholarly publishing.
Example of an Author Declaration of AI Use
“Generative AI [Name/Version of the Tool, e.g., ChatGPT-4] was used during the preparation of this manuscript for the purpose of [Purpose of Use, e.g., improving language fluency and editing]. All content generated using this tool was reviewed and verified by the authors, and necessary corrections were made. The authors assume full responsibility for the final version of the manuscript.”
“No artificial intelligence tool was used at any stage of the preparation of this manuscript.”