AI Ethics & Procedure

The International Journal of Applied Science and Technology Application (IJAPSET) recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support research and scholarly communication. The journal requires AI-assisted work to be used responsibly, transparently, and in ways that preserve research integrity, human accountability, and the reliability of the scholarly record.

Responsible and Ethical Use of AI

IJAPSET permits the responsible use of AI tools as assistance in research and manuscript preparation, provided that such use does not compromise originality, accuracy, confidentiality, research ethics, or the authenticity of scholarly contributions.

Authors remain fully responsible for the content they submit and publish, including material generated, edited, translated, analyzed, or otherwise assisted by AI systems. The use of AI does not transfer responsibility for scholarly claims, data, interpretations, citations, or conclusions away from the human authors.

Five Principles for Responsible AI

Acceptable Uses of AI Tools

Subject to appropriate human oversight, verification, and any applicable disclosure requirements, authors may use AI tools to support tasks such as:

Unacceptable Uses of AI

AI tools must not be used to mislead readers, manipulate the editorial process, or undermine the integrity of research.

• Fabricating or falsifying data, research results, observations, images, or experimental records.
• Generating fake references, nonexistent publications, fabricated quotations, or unverifiable sources and presenting them as genuine.
• Using AI-generated content to conceal plagiarism, duplicate publication, or unattributed reuse of existing work.
• Creating misleading images, figures, results, or evidence that misrepresents the underlying research.
• Submitting AI-generated analysis or conclusions without adequate verification and taking responsibility for their accuracy.
• Listing an AI system as an author or attributing human accountability to a tool.
• Using AI to impersonate reviewers, manipulate peer review, fabricate reviewer reports, or interfere with editorial decisions.
• Uploading confidential manuscripts, reviewer reports, personal data, or restricted research information to external AI services without appropriate authorization and safeguards.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors should disclose substantive use of generative AI in manuscript preparation, research analysis, image generation, or other activities that materially contribute to the submitted work. Simple spelling or grammar assistance may not require a separate statement unless the journal requests it or the tool materially changes the content.

The disclosure should identify, where relevant:

• The name of the AI tool or system used.
• The purpose and scope of its use.
• The sections, processes, or research tasks in which it assisted.
• The verification and review performed by the authors.

Authors should not state that AI was used if it was not used. Disclosures must accurately reflect the actual research and writing process.

Human Authorship and Accountability

AI systems cannot be listed as authors because they cannot take responsibility for the work, approve the final manuscript as a human contributor, or respond accountably to concerns about research integrity.

Human authors are responsible for verifying AI-assisted content, confirming the accuracy of citations and references, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, and approving the final version submitted to IJAPSET.

AI Use by Reviewers

Reviewers must protect manuscript confidentiality and maintain independent scholarly judgment throughout peer review.

• Reviewers must not upload confidential manuscripts or peer-review materials to external AI services unless expressly permitted by applicable journal policy and confidentiality requirements.
• AI must not replace the reviewer's own critical assessment of methods, evidence, originality, or conclusions.
• Reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and professionalism of their reports.
• Reviewers must not use AI to fabricate criticisms, references, or evidence against an author.
• Any AI assistance permitted under journal policy must not compromise confidentiality or impartiality.

AI Use by Editors

Editors are responsible for protecting confidential submissions and ensuring that editorial decisions remain independent, fair, and evidence-based.

• Editors must not upload confidential manuscripts or reviewer reports to external AI systems unless explicitly permitted by applicable journal policy and appropriate safeguards.
• AI-generated recommendations must not replace independent editorial judgment.
• Editors must assess possible AI-related concerns carefully and avoid relying on automated AI-detection scores as conclusive proof of misconduct.
• Concerns about undisclosed or inappropriate AI use should be addressed through a fair process and the opportunity for relevant parties to respond.
• Editorial decisions must remain the responsibility of the designated human editor.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

Authors, reviewers, and editors should assess the privacy and security implications of AI tools before using them in research or publishing workflows.

• Do not disclose confidential manuscripts, unpublished data, personal information, or restricted materials to unauthorized services.
• Use research data only in ways permitted by consent, institutional rules, data-sharing agreements, and applicable law.
• Verify the terms, data-handling practices, and security settings of AI services before using them with sensitive information.
• Maintain appropriate records of AI-assisted research activities when needed for reproducibility or accountability.

Procedure for Assessing AI-Related Concerns

Actions for Policy Violations

When an AI-related policy violation is supported by sufficient evidence, IJAPSET may take proportionate action depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the case.

• Request clarification or a complete and accurate disclosure of AI use.
• Require correction of inaccurate or misleading AI-assisted content.
• Request revisions to address unsupported claims, references, or analyses.
• Reject a manuscript when serious ethical concerns are substantiated or remain unresolved.
• Issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction for a published article when justified.
• Refer serious cases to an appropriate institution or authority when necessary.

An AI-detection score or allegation alone should not be treated as conclusive proof of misconduct. Decisions must be based on a fair assessment of the available evidence.

Before Submitting Your Manuscript

Authors should confirm the following before submission:

• ☐ I have verified the accuracy of all AI-assisted content.
• ☐ I have checked all references, quotations, data, code, and research outputs.
• ☐ I have disclosed substantive AI use where required by this policy.
• ☐ No AI system is listed as an author.
• ☐ Confidential or restricted information has been handled appropriately.
• ☐ I accept responsibility for the final manuscript and its scholarly integrity.

Publication Ethics Resources

This policy should be read together with IJAPSET's Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, Peer Review Process, and Allegation of Research Misconduct policies.

Responsible Innovation in Scholarly Publishing

IJAPSET encourages responsible innovation while maintaining human accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and trust in the scholarly record.