Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI in Manuscript Preparation

JGRS recognize that generative AI tools can help researchers work more efficiently, improve language, and organize content. However, these tools must never replace human critical thinking, scientific expertise, or original analysis. To maintain the highest standards of academic integrity, all submitted manuscripts are screened using Turnitin. If the AI-detection score exceeds 40%, the manuscript will be initial declined and returned to the authors without peer review.

1. What IS Allowed with AI Tools?
Authors may use AI for supportive tasks, provided they apply full human oversight:
- Improving grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Enhancing language fluency and readability.
- Organizing content or restructuring sentences.
- Assisting with initial literature searches.

Important: All AI-generated suggestions must be carefully reviewed, fact-checked, and thoroughly edited by the authors to ensure the final text reflects their own authentic analysis, interpretation, and insights.

2. What is STRICTLY PROHIBITED?
AI tools must never be used for:
- Generating core scientific arguments, hypotheses, or conclusions.
- Creating, fabricating, or manipulating research data, including statistical results, tables, or numerical outputs.
- Producing references or citations (as AI often generates incorrect or fabricated sources).
- Rewriting entire sections (e.g., Methods, Results, Discussion) without rigorous verification.
- Bypassing the author's own intellectual contribution to the work.

3. Mandatory Disclosure Statement
If you use AI tools for substantive changes (e.g., significant rewriting, content organization, or structural adjustments), you must include a declaration statement at the end of your manuscript (before the References section).

Declaration of AI-assisted
"During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF AI TOOL] in order to [REASON, e.g., improve language fluency and readability]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article."

Note: Basic checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation do not require a declaration.

4. Rules for Figures, Images, and Artwork
- Explanatory images (flowcharts, timelines, conceptual diagrams): AI use is permitted, but you must disclose the AI tool name, version, and purpose in both the figure caption and the general disclosure statement.
- Research/data images (microscopy, western blots, radiology scans, charts, graphs, heatmaps): Strictly prohibited. These must be generated directly from your own underlying research data using standard scientific software. AI must never be used to create or alter primary research images.
- Graphical abstracts and cover art: General-purpose generative AI tools cannot be used to create graphical abstracts. Cover art requires prior written permission from the editor.

5. Author Accountability – You Are Fully Responsible
As the author, you bear full and ultimate responsibility for the entire manuscript. You must:
- Verify the accuracy, completeness, and impartiality of all AI-generated content.
- Manually check all data, sources, and references for errors or bias.
- Ensure the work is entirely original and does not infringe on third-party rights (including copyright and data privacy).
- Ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of any AI tool used (e.g., not granting the AI tool rights to train on your unpublished manuscript).

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors, as authorship requires human accountability and intellectual ownership.

6. Consequences of Policy Violation
Any manuscript found to:
- Exceed the 40% AI-detection threshold,
- Lack the required AI disclosure statement,
- Use AI to manipulate data or figures, or
- Contain fabricated references generated by AI

will be immediately rejected without external review. In serious cases, the submission may be reported to the author's institution or subject to further ethics investigation in accordance with JGRS's publishing ethics policy.

Final Note: JGRS encourage smart, transparent, and responsible use of AI as a supporting tool, but originality, accuracy, and human expertise remain non-negotiable at JGRS.