As Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Social Sciences, we closely follow technological developments in scientific research and publication processes. In recent years, the use of generative artificial intelligence technologies (large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and visual generation tools such as DALL-E, Midjourney) in academic studies has become increasingly widespread.
While these technologies offer new opportunities to researchers in areas such as idea development, language correction, and accelerating research processes, they also bring various challenges in terms of scientific integrity, originality, accuracy, and responsibility. Our journal aims to support the responsible and ethical use of generative AI tools while preserving the originality and scientific standards of academic works.

This policy has been prepared to explain the rules regarding the use of generative AI technologies in studies submitted to our journal, authors' responsibilities, permitted and prohibited areas of use, and to determine transparency and declaration requirements. Our policy aims to ensure high ethical standards and academic honesty in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of social sciences.

This policy document will be regularly updated in line with technological developments and changes in academic standards. We request our authors, reviewers, and editors to carefully examine this policy and act in accordance with the specified rules.

Principles and Responsibilities for Authors

Authorship and Responsibility:

• Generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) may not be listed as author or co-author under any circumstances.
  
• Authors are personally responsible for all content, accuracy, integrity, and originality of their articles.
  
• AI usage does not exempt authors from their scientific and ethical responsibilities.

Transparency and Declaration:

• All cases where generative AI tools are used in the article must be clearly declared.
  
• The declaration must be made in the "Method" or "Acknowledgments" section of the article.
  
• The declaration must specify the full name of the tools used, version number, how and for what purpose they were used.

Permitted Areas of Use

1. Language and Readability Improvements:

• AI usage for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language fluency corrections in texts created by authors is acceptable.
  
• Such corrections should not change the original content but only enhance readability.

2. Idea Development and Research Planning:

• AI can be used as an auxiliary tool in developing research questions, brainstorming, and research design planning.
  
• However, the conceptual framework and methodology of the research should primarily be based on the author's own scientific approach.

3. Coding Assistance and Data Analysis:

• AI can be used as an auxiliary tool in code writing for data analysis. However, the accuracy and appropriateness of statistical analyses remain the author's responsibility.

4. Organization in Literature Reviews:

• AI can be used as an auxiliary in organizing and classifying existing literature. However, the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the literature review remain the author's responsibility.

Restricted or Prohibited Areas of Use

1. Content Creation:

• Complete writing of main sections of the article such as abstract, introduction, literature review, or discussion by AI is unacceptable.
  
• AI outputs should only be used as starting points and must be comprehensively modified, developed, and verified by authors.

2. Generation and Interpretation of Results:

• AI usage for generating, reporting, or interpreting research results is unacceptable.
  
• The accuracy, integrity, and validity of data analysis results are directly the authors' responsibility.

3. Source Creation and Citation:

• Creating imaginary or unverifiable sources using AI tools or citing non-existent works is strictly prohibited.
  
• All sources must be verified by authors and appropriately cited.

4. Academic Writing and Argument Development:

• The argument structure, theoretical contribution, and main theses of the article must be developed by the author.
  
• AI can only be used as a supportive tool in these processes.

Warnings and Plagiarism Controls

1. Plagiarism and Misinformation:

• Generative AI tools may plagiarize from existing content or produce false information known as "hallucination."
  
• Authors must carefully check, verify, and subject AI outputs to plagiarism screening.

2. Data Privacy and Security:

• Uploading confidential, personal, or sensitive research data to generative AI platforms may pose data security risks.
  
• Authors should examine the privacy policies of the tools they use and take necessary precautions.

Procedures to be Applied in Case of Policy Violation

• If AI usage is not declared or used contrary to policy, the article may be rejected.
  
• Our journal uses various AI detection tools for content generated with generative AI tools.
• If policy violations are detected in published articles, actions such as article retraction or correction publication may be applied.
  
• Repeated violations may result in rejection of the author's future applications to our journal.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Declaration Form

All authors submitting articles are required to complete and upload the Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Declaration Form to the system. This form must provide complete and accurate information about:

• Whether generative AI tools were used or not
  
• Full name and version information of tools used
  
• Details of purpose and scope of use
  
• How and in which sections they were used
  
• Verification and control processes
  

Click here to download the Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Declaration Form.

The corresponding author must upload the Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Declaration Form with wet signature during article submission.

Principles and Responsibilities for Editors and Reviewers

As Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Social Sciences, we value our editors and reviewers fulfilling their roles in evaluation processes with great care. The widespread use of generative AI technologies also affects evaluation processes.

Policies for Editors

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Responsibility:

• Editors must not upload unpublished articles or related files, images, and information to generative AI tools.
  
• Protecting the confidentiality of article contents and authors' intellectual property rights is the fundamental responsibility of editors.

AI Usage in Evaluation Process:

• Editors may use AI tools in the article evaluation process (e.g., suitability check, reviewer selection) only as approved by journal management.
  
• Any AI usage must be reported to authors.

Policies for Reviewers

Confidentiality and Ethical Responsibility:

• Reviewers must not upload unpublished articles or related materials sent to them for evaluation to generative AI tools under any circumstances.

AI Usage in Evaluation Process:

• Reviewers should not use generative AI tools for article evaluation or analysis.
  
• Evaluations must be based on the reviewer's own expertise and knowledge.

Limited Permitted Use:

• Reviewers may use AI tools only to improve the language and readability of their own evaluation reports.
  
• Even in this case, the reviewer is fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the report content.

Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy in Creating Visuals, Graphics, and Tables

As Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Social Sciences, we adopt an open approach to technological developments. We are aware of the potential of generative AI technologies in creating visuals, graphics, and tables and acknowledge that these tools can contribute to academic studies.

1. Transparency and Declaration:

• All visuals, graphics, and tables created using generative AI tools must be clearly indicated.
  
• The declaration must be included in the description below the relevant visual and detail the name, version of the AI tool used, and for what purpose it was used.

2. Scientific Accuracy and Responsibility:

• Authors are fully responsible for the scientific accuracy and appropriateness of visuals created with AI.
  
• All visual materials must accurately reflect the author's own research results and scientific understanding.

Permitted Areas of Use

1. Conceptual Diagrams and Explanatory Visuals:

• Generative AI can be used to visualize theoretical frameworks, conceptual models, or processes.
  
• Such visuals must accurately represent the author's own understanding and explanations.

2. Data Visualization:

• Authors are encouraged to use AI tools to visualize their own research data.
  
• These tools can be used to improve visual quality in the design of graphics, charts, and tables.

3. Illustrations and Representative Visuals:

• AI can be used to create representative visuals or illustrations to explain concepts in the field of social sciences.
  
• Such visuals should help readers understand concepts and should not be misleading.

Situations Requiring Attention

1. Data Integrity:

• The underlying data of graphics and tables containing real research data must not be manipulated.
  
• AI tools should only be used as aids in data visualization design, not for data generation.

2. Photographs and Realistic Visuals:

• If photographs representing real situations or events are created with AI, it must be clearly stated that they are representative.
  
• This is particularly important for visuals showing social environments, human interactions, or real people.

3. Ethical Considerations:

• Generated visuals must comply with ethical principles and must not contain misleading, discriminatory, or stereotypical content.
  
• Cultural sensitivities and diversity must be considered.

Future Updates

This policy will be regularly reviewed and updated in line with technological developments and changes in academic standards. We encourage our authors to use AI tools considering this policy and observing scientific integrity principles.

As Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Social Sciences, we are committed to supporting innovative approaches in academic research while preserving scientific standards and ethical principles. We believe that maintaining this balance will enhance both the quality of our journal and our contribution to the field of science.