AI Usage Policy

1. Policy Purpose

To comply with Scopus database content policies (including generative AI transparency and academic integrity requirements) and uphold scholarly integrity, this policy regulates the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted tools by Authors, Reviewers, and Editors of Journal of Publishing and Criticism. It aligns with the principles of transparency (a mandatory requirement of Scopus), Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) recommendations on generative AI.

2. Scope & Definitions

• Applicable Groups: All authors submitting manuscripts to the journal, peer      reviewers invited by the editorial board, and editors involved in      manuscript processing.

• AI-Assisted Tools: Software or systems that generate/transform content via      machine learning, including but not limited to:

• Natural language       generators (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot);

• Language editing tools       (Grammarly, DeepL, QuillBot);

• Data analysis tools       (Python AI modules, MATLAB AI modules, R automated modeling features);

• Visual/content generators       (DALL-E, MidJourney, AI-generated statistical figures).

For the purposes of Scopus compliance, any use of AI tools that involves generating, modifying, or supporting scholarly content (including text, data, and visuals) must be covered by this policy, regardless of whether the tool is free or paid, or used online or offline.

3. Specific Requirements for Each Group

3.1 Authors

• Permitted Uses (with      full disclosure):

1. Language assistance:       Grammar correction, clarity improvement, translation (without altering       academic meaning);

2. Formatting assistance:       Reference formatting (e.g., Zotero AI), manuscript template alignment;

3. Preliminary sorting of       literary texts and research materials (must detail AI model name,       version, operation steps, key parameters, and human verification process       in the "Methods" section; relevant operation records shall be       retained for at least 3 years for Scopus audit).

• Restricted Uses:

1. AI-generated citations       must be manually verified for accuracy (provide verification records if       requested by editors);

2. AI-assisted concept       exploration must be noted in the "Acknowledgements" (e.g.,       "AI tool [Name] was used for initial idea brainstorming; core       arguments are original to the authors").

• Prohibited Uses:

1. Generating manuscripts,       core chapters (e.g., "Introduction," "Results,"       "Discussion"), or research data/results via AI;

2. Listing AI tools as       authors or citing AI as a scholarly source;

3. Using AI to fabricate,       falsify, or manipulate data, images, or citations.

4. Using AI tools to       generate core academic content specific to literary research, such as       literary work analysis, academic commentary, interpretation of creative       theories, or simulated original literary texts used as research samples;

5. Using AI to batch       generate writing materials or fabricate literary research data (e.g.,       fake reader feedback, literary text statistics) that cannot be verified       by human beings.

• Disclosure Requirement: Submit an "AI Usage Declaration Form" along with      the manuscript, specifying AI tool name, usage scenario, and verification      measures. The declaration will be published in the final article’s      "Acknowledgements" section.

• Copyright &      Intellectual Property Declaration: Authors      using AI-assisted tools must confirm that the use of such tools complies      with the tool’s terms of service and does not infringe on any third-party      intellectual property rights (including copyright, privacy rights, and      data usage rights). Authors shall bear full responsibility for any      copyright disputes arising from AI-generated content. A written commitment      to this effect must be included in the "AI Usage Declaration      Form".

3.2 Reviewers

• Permitted Uses (with      disclosure):

1. AI-assisted literature       retrieval (to verify the manuscript’s citation relevance);

2. AI tools for grammar       error checking (to improve the readability of review comments).

• Prohibited Uses:

1. Generating full review       comments or academic value judgments via AI;

2. Sharing confidential       manuscript content (including full text, research materials, charts, and       preliminary review opinions) with AI tools (to comply with Scopus       confidentiality requirements and avoid copyright infringement and       academic information leakage);

3. Relying on AI to       determine manuscript acceptance/revision/rejection.

• Disclosure Requirement: Include a note at the end of review comments if AI is used      (e.g., "AI tool [Name] was used to assist with literature retrieval;      the core evaluation is independently completed by the reviewer").

3.3 Editors

• Permitted Uses (with      documentation):

1. AI-assisted format       screening (to check if manuscripts meet journal template requirements);

2. AI-assisted preliminary       text similarity detection (final judgment must be confirmed by editors       via cross-referencing with Scopus and other peer-reviewed academic       databases; Google Scholar is not used as the sole basis for judgment).

3. Before using any AI tool       for editorial work, editors must complete the "Editorial AI Tool       Usage Registration Form" and submit it to the journal’s editorial       board for filing. The form shall include tool name, function description,       data security guarantee, and other information to ensure compliance with       Scopus data security requirements.

• Prohibited Uses:

1. Making editorial       decisions (acceptance/rejection/revision) solely based on AI suggestions;

2. Using AI to handle       academic misconduct complaints (must follow COPE flowcharts for human-led       investigation);

3. Disclosing editorial       confidential information (e.g., reviewer identities) to AI tools.

• Documentation      Requirement: Maintain logs of all AI-assisted      operations (e.g., AI tool name, operation time, results, human review      records) and submit them to the journal’s editorial board quarterly. All      AI-assisted operation logs must be retained for at least 3 years      (counting from the date of manuscript publication or rejection) in      searchable electronic format, to meet Scopus audit and academic ethics      investigation requirements.

4. Non-Compliance Handling

• If authors fail to      disclose AI use or violate prohibited clauses: Manuscripts will be      rejected; repeat offenders will be banned from submitting for 1–3 years.

• If reviewers/editors      violate prohibited clauses: Reviewer invitations will be revoked; editors      will be removed from the editorial board.

• Appeal Process: Relevant      parties (authors, reviewers, editors) who disagree with the non-compliance      handling result may submit a written appeal to the journal’s Academic      Ethics Committee within 15 working days of receiving the notification,      attaching relevant evidence. The committee shall issue a review result      within 30 working days, which shall be final. The appeal process and      result shall be recorded and retained for Scopus inspection.

5. Policy Updates

• This policy will be      updated annually based on Scopus's latest requirements and academic ethics      standards. When updates are made:

1. The journal will notify      all in-progress authors, invited reviewers, and editorial board members      via email within 7 working days;

2. The latest version will be      posted on the journal’s "submit an article > AI Usage Policy"      page, with a clear update history (including version number, effective      date, and summary of updated content) displayed;

3. Previous versions of the      policy will be archived and retained for at least 3 years for Scopus      review and public inquiry.

6. Contact Information

For any questions, concerns, or reports of potential ethical violations related to AI usage in compliance with Scopus requirements, please contact the copyright affairs office of the publishing house via the following channels:

• Email: hkiepcl@163.com (response      within 3 working days on weekdays)

• Phone：+852 4426 9002