Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy

This policy governs the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in all stages of academic publishing within Social Science Chronicle (SSC), including manuscript preparation, peer review, and editorial decision-making. It is based on established ethical standards, and aligns with the best practices to promote transparency, accountability, and trust in academic research.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence technologies that can autonomously produce text, images, data visualizations, or other forms of content based on user prompts. Examples include:

  • Text Based Tools : ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity
  • Image Generators : DALL·E, Midjourney
  • Graphic Generators : GitHub, Copilot, DeepAI

Principles Guiding Use of Gen-AI

  • Ethical Usage : Generative AI may be used for tasks like language refinement or formatting, but it must not replace human intellectual work or used to fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Author/s must verify the AI-generated content before submission.
  • Confidentiality and Data Security : Authors, reviewers, and editors must not upload manuscripts, reviews, or confidential communications into public Gen-AI platforms due to risks of data leakage and copyright violations.

Acceptable Usage of Generative-AI

Social Science Chronicle permits the use of GenAI tools in the following cases:

  • Language Assistance : For grammar correction, improving readability, and resolving syntactic issues.
  • Formatting Support : For correcting references, adjusting citation style, or structuring headings and sub-headings.
  • Visual Representation : For data visualizations (e.g., bar charts, tables etc.) as long as data sources are verifiable.

Note : AI-assisted content must be reviewed and validated by the authors for accuracy and originality.

Prohibited Usage of Generative-AI

The following uses of GenAI are strictly prohibited:

  • Data Fabrication : Creating fictional data or outcomes.
  • Reference Manipulation : Generating false citations or inserting references that were not consulted.
  • Image or Figure Creation : Generating images from non-verifiable data sources.
  • Plagiarism : Using AI-generated text/material, without disclosure or attribution.
  • Authorship Attribution : Crediting AI tools as co-author or contributor.

Disclosure Statement from Authors

A dedicated “Generative-AI Usage Disclosure” section must be included before the references, detailing the tool name and version, the scope of its application.

Example Statements:

  • “No Gen-AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.”
  • “Generative AI tool (such as ChatGPT, version x.x) was used for language editing. All intellectual content, data analysis, and argumentation were developed by the author/s.”

Generative-AI and Peer Review

  • Reviewer Responsibilities : Reviewers must not use Gen-AI tools to analyze or summarize submitted manuscripts as uploading manuscripts or peer reviews to external tools increases the risk of data leakage and copyright violations. All such assessments must be conducted solely by designated human reviewers.
  • Review Disclosure : If reviewers used Gen-AI to assist with non-analytical tasks (e.g., language correction of their review), they must inform the editorial team.
  • Reporting Misuse : Reviewers who suspect undisclosed / unethical use of Gen-AI by authors – must report the same to editorial board for further examination.

Role of Editorial Board Members

  • Editor Responsibilities : Editors must not upload manuscripts, decision letters, or confidential author communications to external GenAI platforms, and all editorial decisions must be based on human judgment.
  • Screening for AI Misuse : The editorial team may use AI detection tools to assess suspected Gen-AI misuse, and editors will determine whether disclosed AI usage aligns with the journal’s standard, reserving the right to request clarifications or manuscript re-submission.

Visual Content Policy

Social Science Chronicle prohibits the use of Gen-AI to create images, graphs, or figures unless the methodology section includes a full description of the tool used (such as its name, version, model type, and parameters) ensuring reproducibility, and raw or pre-modified data is made available upon request to support editorial assessment. AI-generated artwork for images, graphical abstracts, or creative illustrations may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval of the editorial board.

Consequences of Violation

Violations of this policy will be considered as publication misconduct. Depending on severity and stage of breach, the following actions may be taken:

  • During submission – the manuscript may be rejected and returned to the corresponding author for revision or retraction.
  • Post-Publication – the article may be retracted with a formal notice, and notifications sent to institutional ethics boards, funding agencies, or co-authors.
  • Repeated Violations – may result in ban from future submissions to Social Science Chronicle.

Future Policy Revisions

The journal acknowledges the rapid development of Gen-AI technologies and will review this policy annually, updating it to incorporate evolving standards in scholarly publishing to ensure the integrity and credibility of published research.

LAST UPDATED : 31st May 2025.