Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

The Journal of Education and Pedagogy (JEP) recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in scholarly research and publishing. This policy establishes principles for the responsible, transparent, ethical, and accountable use of AI in the preparation, submission, peer-review, editing, and publication of manuscripts.

This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the editorial and publication process of JEP.

2. Definition of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer-based systems or tools capable of generating, modifying, analyzing, translating, summarizing, or interpreting text, images, data, code, or other forms of content. These include, but are not limited to, generative AI systems, large language models (LLMs), AI writing assistants, AI-based translation tools, AI-based data-analysis tools, coding assistants, and image-generation systems.

3. Permitted Uses of AI by Authors

Authors may use AI tools as supporting instruments, provided that the use of AI does not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, scholarly judgment, or responsibility for the research and manuscript.

Permitted uses may include:

  • language improvement and grammar correction;
  • translation assistance;
  • formatting and reference-management assistance;
  • coding or data-analysis assistance, provided that all outputs are independently verified by the authors; and
  • other limited supportive uses that do not replace the authors' scholarly contribution or responsibility.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and scholarly validity of the submitted manuscript.

4. Prohibited Uses of AI by Authors

Authors must not use AI tools to:

  • fabricate or falsify data, results, references, or other research information;
  • generate or manipulate research findings in a misleading manner;
  • create fabricated or unverifiable citations or references;
  • conceal plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct;
  • replace the authors' intellectual contribution, scholarly judgment, or responsibility;
  • misrepresent AI-generated material as independently produced human scholarly work; or
  • otherwise use AI in a manner that violates research integrity or publication ethics.

AI systems, including generative AI and LLMs, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility and accountability for scholarly work.

5. Disclosure and Transparency

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or other AI tools that materially contribute to the preparation or content of a manuscript.

The disclosure should identify:

  • the AI tool or system used;
  • the purpose for which it was used; and
  • where appropriate, the extent of its use.

A suitable disclosure statement may read:

“Generative artificial intelligence was used to assist with language editing and clarity improvement. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted content and remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, interpretation, and conclusions of this article.”

Failure to disclose a material use of AI may be considered a violation of publication ethics.

6. Accuracy, Integrity, and Accountability

Authors are fully responsible for verifying all AI-assisted or AI-generated content.

Particular attention must be given to preventing:

  • factual inaccuracies;
  • fabricated or hallucinated references;
  • unsupported claims;
  • biased or misleading interpretations;
  • inappropriate paraphrasing;
  • plagiarism; and
  • fabricated, falsified, or manipulated research data.

The use of AI does not exempt authors from compliance with JEP's policies on plagiarism, research misconduct, authorship, copyright, and research integrity.

7. Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must not use AI tools in the peer-review process.

Reviewers must not:

  • upload, paste, or otherwise submit manuscripts or parts of manuscripts to AI tools or external generative AI platforms;
  • use AI to analyze, summarize, evaluate, or interpret a submitted manuscript;
  • use AI to generate or substantially assist in preparing peer-review reports; or
  • use AI to make recommendations concerning acceptance, revision, or rejection.

The peer-review process must be conducted by the assigned reviewer using the reviewer's own scholarly expertise, independent judgment, and professional responsibility.

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and all information obtained during the peer-review process.

8. Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use appropriate technological tools for limited administrative and editorial support, provided that such tools do not replace human editorial judgment or compromise confidentiality.

Editors must not:

  • delegate editorial decisions to AI systems;
  • use AI to replace scholarly or ethical judgment;
  • upload confidential manuscripts or unpublished review materials to public or unsecured AI platforms; or
  • use AI-generated assessments as the sole basis for editorial decisions.

All editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief and authorized editors.

9. AI-Generated Images and Other Content

The use of AI-generated or AI-assisted images, illustrations, figures, or other visual materials must be appropriately disclosed where such use materially contributes to the submitted work.

AI-generated or AI-assisted visual materials must not be used to misrepresent research findings, experimental evidence, or original data.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that the use of AI-generated materials complies with applicable copyright, licensing, ethical, and research-integrity requirements.

10. Violations and Editorial Actions

Suspected violations of this policy will be assessed by the Editorial Team.

Depending on the nature, severity, and timing of the violation, JEP may take appropriate action, including:

  • requesting clarification or additional information;
  • requiring correction or revision;
  • rejecting the submitted manuscript;
  • issuing an Expression of Concern;
  • correcting or retracting a published article; and/or
  • notifying the author's affiliated institution or other relevant authorities when appropriate.

Actions will be taken in accordance with JEP's publication-ethics policies and relevant principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

11. Policy Review and Updates

JEP recognizes that AI technologies and standards for their responsible use are rapidly evolving. This policy will therefore be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect developments in scholarly publishing, research integrity, publication ethics, and applicable national and international standards.