1. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technologies are used in scientific publication processes in an ethical, transparent, responsible, and accountable manner; and to safeguard research integrity, scientific reliability, and academic integrity.
This policy applies to all articles submitted to the journal, as well as to authors, editors, and reviewers involved in the preparation, evaluation, peer review, and publication of these articles.
The policy has been prepared in accordance with DergiPark principles, COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, and national/international ethical regulations.
2. Fundamental Principles
The following principles are fundamental to the use of generative artificial intelligence:
• Human responsibility and accountability: Generative AI is a tool; the ethical and scientific responsibility for all generated content lies with humans.
• Transparency: The use of generative AI must be clearly disclosed.
• Accuracy and verifiability: All information, data, and references generated by GAI must be verifiable.
• Research integrity: GAI must not be used in ways that lead to ethical violations such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
• Human oversight: Scientific decision-making, evaluation, and interpretation processes rely on human judgment.
3. Guidelines for Authors
Generative AI tools (large language models, chatbots, visual or graphic generation tools, etc.) cannot be considered authors of a paper and cannot be included in the author list.
Authorship signifies only human contribution, academic responsibility, and accountability.
3.1. Permitted Uses
Authors may use generative AI tools for the following supportive purposes:
• Grammar and spelling checks,
• Text simplification and style improvement,
• Summarization and translation,
• Brainstorming and idea development (provided the final text remains the authors’ own work).
• Suggestions for figures, graphs, or visual drafts (provided they are disclosed in the Methods section)
3.2. Disclosure Requirement
• If generative artificial intelligence was used in the preparation of the article, this must be clearly stated within the article or in the specific disclosure section designated by the journal.
• The disclosure must include:
o The name of the AI tool used (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Midjourney, DeepSeek, etc.),
o The purpose of use (text generation, literature review, data analysis, image generation, etc.),
o The scope and nature of the use.
3.3. Author’s Responsibility
Authors:
• Are fully responsible for the scientific accuracy, originality, and ethical appropriateness of all content (text, data, code, visuals, etc.) generated or supported by generative AI tools.
• Are obligated to verify information generated by generative AI tools and provide proper citations.
• Authors must verify any potential errors, omissions, biases, or fabricated information that AI tools may generate.
The use of AI does not reduce or transfer the author’s responsibility.
4. Guidelines for Editors
• Editors verify the presence and appropriateness of statements regarding the use of generative AI.
• During the editorial review process:
o bibliographic consistency,
o the authenticity of sources,
o the principle of transparency are upheld.
• Editors may request additional explanations or documentation from authors when deemed necessary.
• If ethical risks associated with the use of AI are identified, actions are taken in accordance with COPE guidelines.
5. Guidelines for Reviewers
• The peer review process is based on scientific evaluation grounded in human expertise.
• Reviewers are not recommended to use generative AI for:
o writing evaluation texts,
o analyzing the content of the article.
• Reviewers may inform editors regarding transparency and consistency regarding the use of generative AI in the article.
6. Prohibited Uses
The following uses are strictly prohibited:
• Generating fabricated data, information, or sources using generative AI,
• Citing publications that do not actually exist,
• Using others’ work by transforming it via generative AI without proper citation,
• Presenting generative AI outputs as the author’s original contribution,
• Using generative AI to conceal ethical violations.
These acts are considered violations of scientific publication ethics.
7. Detection, Investigation, and Sanctions
• The journal may review articles, as deemed necessary, using:
o plagiarism detection tools,
o generative AI detection tools.
• In cases of suspected ethical violations involving AI:
o the author is requested to provide a defense,
o an editorial review is initiated,
o a decision is made in accordance with COPE guidelines.
• Depending on the nature of the violation;
o the article may be rejected,
o a published article may be retracted,
o the relevant institutions may be notified.
NOTE: The author(s)/corresponding author(s) accept responsibility for any potential issues arising from the use of artificial intelligence or related to ethical, moral, or legal standards, whether within the publication and/or before and/or after publication. The authors hereby acknowledge and undertake that no legal liability rests with the Editor(s), Reviewer(s), Editorial Board, or the relevant University. This acknowledgment applies to all past and future processes and covers the individual(s) mentioned above who submit(s) to the journal, regardless of the time of submission.