AIpolicy

IJIS Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Manuscript Preparation

1. Introduction

Ihyaul Ulum Journal of Islamic Studies (IJIS) recognises the value of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to assist authors in the research and writing process. IJIS welcomes developments in this area that enhance opportunities to generate ideas, accelerate research discovery, synthesise or analyse findings, polish language, or structure a submission.

Large language models (LLMs) or Generative AI offer opportunities to accelerate research and its dissemination. While these opportunities can be transformative, they cannot replicate human creative and critical thinking. IJIS’s policy on the use of AI technology has been developed to assist authors, reviewers, and editors in making sound ethical judgments about its use.

2. Allowed Use of AI Tools

Authors are allowed to use AI tools to assist in various aspects of manuscript writing, including but not limited to:

Language editing and proofreading: AI tools can help identify grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and improve language fluency.
Reference management: AI tools can help manage citations, format references, and create bibliographies.
Plagiarism checking: AI-based tools can be used to verify the originality and integrity of the manuscript.
Data analysis: AI algorithms can assist in analysing complex datasets and presenting results in a clear, concise manner.

3. Not Allowed Use of AI Tools

While AI tools can be beneficial in various manuscript preparation tasks, there are certain limitations and areas where their use is not allowed:

Content creation: AI tools should not be used to generate the primary content of the manuscript, including the introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion sections. Authors are expected to contribute original ideas and intellectual input to the manuscript.
Ethical considerations: AI tools should not be used to manipulate or fabricate data, create fraudulent results, or engage in any unethical practices related to manuscript preparation.

4. Recommendations for AI Tool Usage

Authors who choose to use AI tools in manuscript preparation are advised to:

Verify AI-generated content: Authors should carefully review and validate any content generated or suggested by AI tools. The responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the manuscript remains with the authors.
Transparent disclosure: Authors must transparently disclose the use of AI tools in the manuscript submission process. This includes mentioning any AI-based tools used for language editing, plagiarism checking, or data analysis in the acknowledgments section.
Acknowledgment: Authors should acknowledge the contributions of AI tools appropriately in the manuscript. This includes citing the relevant software or tool used.

5. Ethical Considerations

Authors must adhere to ethical guidelines and academic integrity standards while using AI tools in manuscript preparation. Any instances of AI-based content generation that violate copyright, plagiarise others' work, or engage in unethical practices will be considered a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

6. Editorial Review

Manuscripts submitted to IJIS, whether AI-assisted or not, will undergo the same rigorous double-blind peer-review process to assess their scientific merit, originality, and adherence to ethical standards as outlined in IJIS's publication ethics guidelines.

7. Review of the Policy

This policy on the use of AI tools in manuscript writing may be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving landscape of AI technology and to align with best practices in scholarly publishing.