The Ecosystem Engineering Journal of the University of Kashan, in line with maintaining scientific integrity, research transparency, and adherence to ethical publishing principles, announces its policies regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the research and article writing process as follows.
1. General Principles
AI tools refer to systems such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, DALL·E, Midjourney, and similar tools in the fields of writing, data analysis, modeling, image generation, and information processing.
The use of these tools is only permitted if they serve an assistive role and do not lead to a breach of scientific integrity, the production of false or misleading content.
2. Prohibited Uses
The following are considered instances of scientific misconduct:
Generating the article text or its major sections without the intellectual contribution of the authors.
Generating, manipulating, or simulating data and results without transparent disclosure.
Direct copying of texts generated by AI.
Having AI generate the scientific interpretation, conclusions, or discussion section of the article.
Listing AI tools as an author or co-author.
3. Permitted Uses (Conditional on Disclosure)
The use of AI is permitted in the following cases, provided it is transparently disclosed in the article:
Language editing, improving writing style, and enhancing text readability.
Assisting in statistical analysis, data processing, or imaging.
Developing or optimizing computational codes and modeling.
Organizing references and citations (with the authors responsible for their accuracy).
4. Disclosure Requirement
Authors are required to state the type of AI tool used and the manner of its use in the "Methods" or "Acknowledgements" section of the article, if applicable.
Example of a Correct Statement:
"In this research, the ChatGPT tool was used solely to improve the textual writing structure and assist in developing computational codes. The scientific responsibility for the content lies with the authors."
5. Authors' Responsibilities
Full responsibility for the accuracy of data, analyses, and results lies with the authors.
Scientific citations must refer only to valid human sources, not AI-generated outputs.
The use of AI must not replace the authors' scientific judgment, expert analysis, and critical thinking.
6. Evaluation and Consequences
Submitted articles will be reviewed for compliance with these guidelines. In case of non-compliance:
The article will be rejected.
Published articles may be retracted from the journal's archive.
The matter will be reported to relevant academic authorities.
7. Authors' Confirmation
Submission of an article to the Ecosystem Engineering Journal implies full acceptance of these guidelines and the authors' commitment to adhering to research ethics principles.