General AI Policy

The Journal of Community Engagement in Health  recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies may support scholarly writing, language editing, data analysis, and other research-related activities. However, their use must be transparent, responsible, and consistent with research integrity and publication ethics.

This policy establishes the requirements for the use of generative AI by authors, peer reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the journal's publication process. It is informed by the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the position of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Use of Generative AI by Authors

  • Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies for appropriate purposes, such as language editing, grammar correction, translation, outlining, and other forms of writing assistance. The use of AI for research-related activities, including data processing, statistical analysis, coding, image generation, or interpretation, must be scientifically justified and accurately reported where relevant.
  • Authors must ensure that all AI-assisted content is critically reviewed and verified before submission. AI-generated output may contain inaccurate information, fabricated references, misleading interpretations, bias, or content that resembles existing copyrighted material.
  • Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, validity, integrity, and ethical acceptability of their manuscripts, including any content generated or modified with the assistance of AI.

2. Disclosure of AI Use
Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies when such tools have contributed to the preparation, development, analysis, or presentation of the submitted work in a manner relevant to its scholarly content.

The disclosure should identify:

  • The name of the AI tool and, where available, its version.
  • The purpose for which the tool was used.
  • The specific tasks or parts of the work supported by the tool.
  • The extent of human verification and responsibility for the resulting content, where relevant.

The disclosure should be included in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgments or Methods section, depending on the nature of the AI use. Authors must also provide any required disclosure in the cover letter or submission declaration.
Routine spelling, grammar, and formatting assistance that does not affect the scholarly content may not require a separate statement unless requested by the journal. Authors should disclose substantive AI assistance and follow any additional instructions provided during submission.

3. Tools Must Not Be Listed as Authors
Generative AI tools, chatbots, and other AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to JQPH.
Authorship requires human accountability for the work, including responsibility for its accuracy, integrity, originality, and compliance with publication ethics. Authors must ensure that all listed human contributors meet the journal's authorship criteria.