The Journal of Emerging Clinical & Health Sciences (JECHS) recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning technologies, generative AI systems, and large language models (LLMs) in scientific research, scholarly communication, healthcare innovation, and academic publishing.
JECHS supports the responsible, transparent, ethical, and accountable use of AI and automated technologies while safeguarding scientific integrity, research reliability, publication ethics, and the credibility of the scholarly record.
This policy is informed by the recommendations and best practices of:
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
- International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
- Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA)
- World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
All authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff are expected to comply with this policy.
1. Use of Artificial Intelligence by Authors
Transparency and Disclosure
Authors must fully disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools, generative AI systems, machine learning applications, or automated technologies where such tools have materially contributed to the preparation of a manuscript.
Examples include:
- Text generation
- Language refinement beyond routine grammar correction
- Literature summarization
- Data analysis
- Statistical modeling
- Figure generation
- Image creation or enhancement
- Research workflow automation
The disclosure should clearly identify:
- The AI tool used
- The purpose of its use
- The extent of its contribution
Appropriate disclosures should be included within the manuscript, typically in the Methods, Acknowledgements, or a dedicated AI Disclosure Statement.
Author Accountability
The use of AI does not diminish author responsibility.
Authors remain fully accountable for:
- Accuracy of all content
- Scientific validity of findings
- Integrity of data
- Proper citation of sources
- Compliance with ethical standards
- Originality of submitted work
Authors must carefully review and verify all AI-generated outputs prior to submission.
The responsibility for all published content rests solely with the human authors.
Authorship
Artificial intelligence systems, large language models, chatbots, or automated tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
AI systems:
- Cannot assume responsibility for a manuscript
- Cannot approve final submissions
- Cannot satisfy authorship criteria established by ICMJE
Only individuals who meet accepted authorship requirements may be listed as authors.
Citation of AI-Generated Content
AI-generated outputs should not be cited as primary scholarly sources.
Authors must cite and reference the original scholarly literature that supports any claims, interpretations, or conclusions included in the manuscript.
2. Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research
The use of AI as part of a research methodology is permitted where scientifically justified and appropriately reported.
Authors should provide sufficient detail regarding:
- Algorithms used
- Software platforms
- Model architecture where applicable
- Training data sources
- Validation procedures
- Performance metrics
- Limitations and potential biases
Descriptions should allow reproducibility and critical evaluation by reviewers and readers.
3. Use of Artificial Intelligence by Peer Reviewers
JECHS maintains strict confidentiality throughout the peer review process.
Reviewers must not upload confidential manuscript content, unpublished data, figures, tables, reviewer reports, or supplementary materials into public AI systems or generative AI platforms.
Examples include:
- Large language models
- Public chatbot services
- Third-party AI writing platforms
- Automated manuscript evaluation systems not approved by the journal
Such actions may compromise confidentiality, intellectual property rights, and the integrity of the peer review process.
Reviewer Responsibility
Peer reviewers are expected to:
- Conduct independent scholarly evaluations
- Exercise professional judgment
- Provide objective and constructive feedback
- Maintain confidentiality
Reviewers may not delegate their review responsibilities to AI systems.
The final review report must represent the reviewer's own scientific assessment.
4. Use of Artificial Intelligence by Editors
Editors are expected to maintain editorial independence, confidentiality, and professional judgment throughout the editorial process.
Editors must not rely on generative AI systems to make editorial decisions.
Editorial decisions concerning:
- Acceptance
- Revision
- Rejection
- Ethical investigations
- Retractions
- Corrections
must remain under direct human oversight and responsibility.
5. Use of Automated Technologies by JECHS
JECHS may utilize automated technologies to support editorial and publishing operations.
Examples may include:
- Similarity and plagiarism detection software
- Reference validation systems
- Manuscript tracking systems
- Workflow management platforms
- Metadata generation tools
- Digital publishing infrastructure
- Reviewer identification systems
All automated processes remain subject to editorial oversight and verification.
No editorial decision is made solely by an automated system.
6. Detection of Undisclosed AI Use
JECHS reserves the right to investigate suspected undisclosed or inappropriate use of artificial intelligence technologies.
Where concerns arise, the journal may request:
- Additional disclosure statements
- Original source files
- Research records
- Documentation of AI-assisted processes
Failure to provide satisfactory clarification may affect editorial decisions.
7. Ethical Considerations
Authors must ensure that AI-assisted work complies with accepted ethical principles relating to:
- Research integrity
- Data privacy
- Intellectual property
- Copyright protection
- Patient confidentiality
- Bias mitigation
- Responsible innovation
The use of AI must never compromise scientific accuracy, ethical conduct, or public trust in research.
8. Non-Compliance
Failure to disclose the material use of artificial intelligence or misuse of AI technologies may constitute a breach of publication ethics.
Depending on the severity of the violation, JECHS may:
- Request revisions or clarification
- Reject the manuscript
- Withdraw acceptance
- Publish corrections
- Retract published articles
- Initiate ethical investigations
- Notify institutions where appropriate
Actions will be taken in accordance with COPE guidance and the journal's publication ethics policies.
9. Policy Review
As artificial intelligence technologies continue to evolve, JECHS will periodically review and update this policy to reflect emerging best practices, ethical considerations, regulatory developments, and international scholarly publishing standards.
Any revisions will be published on the official journal website and will become effective upon publication.
Through this policy, the Journal of Emerging Clinical & Health Sciences (JECHS) seeks to promote responsible innovation while preserving the principles of scientific integrity, transparency, accountability, and trust that underpin scholarly communication.