Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

1. Policy Statement

The Journal of Tropical Resources and Sustainable Science (JTRSS) recognises that Artificial Intelligence (AI), including generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, can support research, scholarly writing, data analysis, and scientific communication.

JTRSS permits the responsible use of AI in scholarly publishing, provided that its use does not compromise research integrity, scientific accuracy, originality, confidentiality, intellectual property rights, or ethical standards.

Human authors, editors, and peer reviewers remain accountable for their respective contributions and decisions. AI tools cannot be credited as authors and must not replace human responsibility for scholarly work.

This policy establishes the requirements for the use and disclosure of AI in manuscript preparation, research, peer review, editorial assessment, and publication.

2. Policy for Authors

2.1 Permitted Use of AI

Authors may use AI tools to assist with language editing, grammar correction, translation, manuscript organisation, literature discovery, coding, data analysis, and other legitimate research activities, provided that the use is scientifically appropriate and subject to human oversight.

Authors must independently verify the accuracy, originality, validity, and reliability of AI-generated or AI-assisted content before submission.

2.2 Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI and other AI-assisted technologies when these tools materially contribute to manuscript content, research methodology, data collection or analysis, interpretation, or the generation of figures and other scholarly materials.

The disclosure must identify the AI tool used, its purpose, and the nature of its contribution. Where relevant, the disclosure should also identify the model or version and explain how the outputs were verified.

Routine spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic language correction that does not involve substantive content generation do not ordinarily require a separate declaration.

The disclosure should be included in a dedicated section entitled “Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies” or in the Materials and Methods section where AI forms part of the research methodology.

2.3 Prohibited Use of AI

Authors must not use AI to:

  • Fabricate or falsify research data, results, observations, references, citations, or scientific evidence.
  • Generate or manipulate research images in ways that misrepresent the underlying evidence.
  • Present AI-generated content as verified scientific findings without appropriate validation.
  • Plagiarise or misrepresent the originality of scholarly work.
  • Conceal material AI involvement where disclosure is required.
  • Breach research ethics, confidentiality, privacy, copyright, or applicable legal requirements.

2.4 Authorship and Accountability

AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. All authors must satisfy the journal's authorship criteria and accept responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the manuscript.

Authors remain fully responsible for all submitted content, including content generated or modified using AI tools.

3. Policy for Editors

Editors may use authorised AI-assisted tools for appropriate administrative and editorial support, subject to confidentiality, data-protection, and publisher requirements.

Editors must not upload confidential manuscripts, unpublished research findings, reviewer reports, or identifiable author information to public or unauthorised AI platforms.

AI-generated assessments must not replace independent editorial judgement. Decisions regarding peer review, manuscript acceptance or rejection, publication ethics, and suspected research misconduct must remain under human control.

AI-detection scores alone must not be treated as conclusive evidence of AI use or research misconduct.

4. Policy for Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and associated materials received for review.

Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, manuscript extracts, figures, tables, supplementary files, or confidential research information to public or unauthorised AI platforms.

AI must not replace the reviewer's independent assessment of the manuscript's originality, methodology, scientific validity, contribution, and suitability for publication.

Reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness, confidentiality, and professionalism of their reports. Any AI use permitted by the journal must comply with its confidentiality requirements and be disclosed to the handling editor where required.

5. AI in Research Methods, Data Analysis, and Images

Where AI is used as part of the research methodology, authors must describe its role, relevant tools or models, procedures, and validation methods sufficiently to support scientific evaluation and reproducibility.

AI-generated or AI-modified images must not be presented as authentic experimental observations or empirical evidence when they do not accurately represent the original source material.

Authors must ensure that AI-assisted data processing, modelling, image analysis, and interpretation are scientifically justified, appropriately validated, and transparently reported.

6. Research Integrity and Publication Ethics

The use of AI does not exempt authors from compliance with JTRSS requirements concerning originality, plagiarism, authorship, conflicts of interest, research ethics, and publication misconduct.

The Editorial Board may investigate suspected violations and request supporting information, original data, analysis files, or explanations where appropriate.

Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, the journal may request clarification or correction, reject a manuscript, refer a matter to the relevant institution or publisher, or take appropriate action concerning a published article in accordance with established procedures.

7. AI Declaration Statement

Authors who have used AI tools requiring disclosure must include an appropriate statement in their manuscript.

Example:

“During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool and version, where available] for [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed and verified the AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.”

Where AI is used in research methodology, data analysis, or figure generation, the declaration must describe that use specifically and be supplemented by relevant methodological details where necessary.

Authors who have not used AI tools requiring disclosure do not need to include a declaration unless required by the journal's submission procedures.

8. Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed periodically by the JTRSS Editorial Board in consultation with UMK Press to reflect developments in AI technologies, scholarly publishing standards, and applicable ethical and legal requirements.