Artificial Intelligence Policy
1. Purpose and Scope
Heritage: Journal of Social Studies has established a policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI and large-scale language models, to maintain academic integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and accountability in scientific publications. This policy applies to authors, editors, and peer reviewers, and adheres to the ethical principles of scientific publications, including the COPE guidelines.
2. Use of AI by Authors
Authors are required to disclose any use of AI that makes a substantive contribution to the preparation of their manuscript. Disclosure should include the name and version of the tool, if available, the purpose of use, and a statement that the author has verified the results and remains fully responsible for the content of the manuscript.
AI may be used in a limited manner for language editing, translation, data organization, programming, technical analysis, or visualization, with verification by the author. The use of AI to assist in the preparation of scientific material must be transparently disclosed.
Authors are prohibited from using AI to falsify data, create false references or citations, disguise plagiarism, or produce unverified scientific content. AI cannot be included as an author. Authors are responsible for the accuracy, originality, copyright, and integrity of the entire manuscript.
3. Limitations on AI Use by Editors
Editors may only use AI for limited administrative or technical purposes that do not compromise editorial independence and confidentiality. Editors are prohibited from outsourcing manuscript quality assessments or decisions regarding acceptance, rejection, and revisions to AI.
Unpublished manuscripts, review reports, confidential correspondence, and personal information should not be uploaded to AI systems that do not guarantee their security and confidentiality. All editorial decisions must be based on human judgment, journal policies, and peer review results.
4. Prohibitions on AI Use by Reviewers
Reviewers are prohibited from using AI, generative AI, or large language models to evaluate, analyze, summarize, rewrite, or generate review reports for manuscripts submitted to the journal.
Reviewers are required to conduct independent assessments, maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts, and are responsible for the objectivity and quality of their review reports. If there is any ambiguity regarding this policy, peer reviewers should consult with the Editor-in-Chief before using AI in their review activities.
5. Confidentiality and Research Integrity
All parties are required to maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts, unpublished data, personal information, the identities of peer reviewers, and editorial documents. Such information should not be entered into AI systems if it risks violating confidentiality, copyright, or data protection.
The use of AI does not diminish the researcher's responsibility to ensure that data are obtained correctly, findings are reported accurately, methods are accountable, references are valid, and research ethics requirements are met.
6. Review and Action for Violations
All manuscripts undergo the same standards of editorial review and peer review, regardless of the use of AI. The journal may request clarification regarding the use of AI if necessary.
Violations of this policy may result in requests for clarification, revisions, rejection of the manuscript, suspension of the editorial process, correction or retraction of the published article, or reporting to the relevant institution. Action is determined based on the evidence and the seriousness of the violation.
7. Responsibility and Policy Updates
Authors are responsible for disclosing and verifying the use of AI; editors are responsible for maintaining editorial independence and accountability; and peer reviewers are required to conduct independent reviews without the use of AI.
Heritage: Journal of Social Studies will periodically review this policy to ensure it remains in line with technological developments and ethical standards for scientific publication.
Contact: Questions regarding this policy can be directed to the official Heritage: Journal of Social Studies contact information listed on the journal's website.
