Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

The International Journal of Community Service and Empowerment (IJCSE) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, transparency, and ethical standards throughout the publication process. This policy provides guidance on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies by authors, reviewers, and editors.

The use of AI must not compromise the originality, integrity, or scholarly contribution of manuscripts. Authors, reviewers, and editors remain responsible for ensuring the accuracy, confidentiality, and ethical integrity of their work and decisions.

Reference Framework

This policy is informed by established guidance on the responsible use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in scholarly publishing, including the following Elsevier policies:

Generative AI Policies for Journals: Elsevier
Generative AI Policies for Books and Commissioned Content: Elsevier

The principles of these policies have been considered and adapted to the editorial context and scope of the International Journal of Community Service and Empowerment (IJCSE).

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For Authors

Permitted Uses of AI

AI and AI-assisted technologies may be used to support manuscript preparation without replacing the authors' intellectual contribution. Acceptable uses include:

Language Editing and Readability
Improving grammar, spelling, syntax, readability, and language clarity. Authors remain responsible for reviewing and validating all revisions.
Illustrative Support
Generating examples for explanatory purposes, provided they are appropriate, accurate, and clearly identified when necessary.
Data Analysis Support
Assisting data processing or analysis when methodologically justified. Authors must describe the AI tools, procedures, and rationale where applicable and remain responsible for interpreting the results.
Technical Assistance
Supporting formatting, reference organization, document consistency, and other non-substantive editorial tasks without affecting the originality of the manuscript.

Prohibited Uses of AI

AI must not be used to compromise the authenticity or integrity of scholarly work. The following practices are prohibited:

Replacing the authors' intellectual contribution, including research design, analysis, interpretation, discussion, or conclusions.
Fabricating, manipulating, or simulating research data, findings, or empirical evidence.
Generating or citing unverified, fabricated, or inaccurate references.
Altering research findings in ways that misrepresent actual results.
Presenting AI-generated images or visual materials as authentic research evidence without appropriate disclosure.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose any substantive use of AI beyond routine technical assistance. The disclosure should identify the AI tool and its purpose and, where appropriate, be included in the Acknowledgments section.

Example:

"The authors used [AI Tool Name] to assist with language editing and readability improvement. All AI-assisted revisions were reviewed and verified by the authors, who remain fully responsible for the content of the manuscript."

When AI is used in data analysis or other research-related processes, its application should also be described in the Methods section.

Authorship and Accountability

AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires intellectual contribution and accountability, which AI cannot assume.

Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, validity, ethical compliance, and scholarly integrity of their manuscripts. All AI-assisted content, including references, interpretations, and methodological descriptions, must be independently verified before submission.

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For Reviewers

Permitted Uses of AI

Reviewers may use AI only for limited support during the review process without replacing their independent judgment or compromising confidentiality. Acceptable uses include:

Language and Readability
Improving grammar, clarity, formatting, and readability of review reports. Reviewers remain responsible for the content and accuracy of their evaluations.
Reference and Factual Verification
Assisting with the verification of references or basic factual information, provided all AI-generated outputs are independently verified.

Prohibited Uses of AI

Reviewers must not use AI to evaluate a manuscript's originality, scientific quality, methodology, ethical compliance, or overall contribution. AI must not generate substantial portions of review reports or determine the final recommendation.

Confidential manuscripts, reviewer comments, unpublished findings, or personal information must not be uploaded to unauthorized or publicly accessible AI systems.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality, objectivity, and the integrity of the peer-review process. Any suspected AI misuse, including fabricated data, references, or undisclosed AI-generated content, should be reported to the editorial team. Reviewers must ensure that AI use does not compromise confidentiality, introduce bias, or affect independent scholarly judgment.

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For Editors

Permitted Uses of AI

Editors may use AI to support administrative, technical, and communication tasks without compromising confidentiality, editorial independence, or publication integrity. Acceptable uses include:

Administrative Support
Assisting editorial workflows, manuscript tracking, and routine administrative tasks.
Communication Assistance
Improving the clarity and readability of editorial correspondence. All AI-assisted communications must be reviewed and approved by the editor.
Editorial Support
Assisting with information organization or identifying potential issues, while editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the editor.

Editorial Responsibilities

Editors retain full responsibility for peer review, editorial decisions, and publication outcomes. AI must not determine a manuscript's originality, scientific merit, methodological quality, ethical compliance, or publication suitability.

Editors are also responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy by verifying AI disclosures, maintaining a fair and confidential review process, providing guidance on responsible AI use, and taking appropriate action when policy violations or ethical concerns arise.

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Ethical Considerations

AI-generated outputs may be inaccurate, incomplete, biased, or fabricated. Authors, reviewers, and editors must therefore critically evaluate and independently verify any AI-assisted content before relying on it. The use of AI must comply with research integrity, confidentiality, data privacy, informed consent, intellectual property, and bias mitigation principles. Human users remain fully accountable for all decisions and published content.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Violations of this policy may result in editorial action depending on their severity.

Authors: Manuscript rejection, correction, expression of concern, or article retraction.
Reviewers: Removal from the reviewer pool or suspension of reviewing privileges for breaches of confidentiality or peer-review ethics.
Editors: Investigation and appropriate corrective action for AI misuse, breaches of confidentiality, or failure to enforce journal policies.

All decisions will be made in accordance with IJCSE's publication ethics and editorial procedures.

Deposit Policy

IJCSE supports the responsible dissemination of scholarly work. Authors may deposit permitted versions of their manuscripts in institutional, disciplinary, or other recognized repositories, subject to the journal's copyright and licensing policies.

Permitted versions include:

Submitted Version: The manuscript originally submitted for review.
Accepted Version: The final author manuscript accepted after peer review.
Published Version: The version of record, where permitted by the journal's licensing terms.

Authors may share these versions through personal websites, institutional or subject repositories, teaching and research activities, or academic portfolios, grant applications, theses, and dissertations, provided they comply with the journal's copyright and licensing requirements.

For further inquiries regarding self-archiving, copyright, or licensing, please contact the IJCSE Editorial Office.

Email: [email protected]