AI Tools Usage Policy

Introduction

Mathematical Sciences and Applications Journal (MSA Journal) is committed to upholding rigorous standards of academic integrity, originality, and transparency in all stages of the scholarly publishing process. This policy defines the acceptable and unacceptable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Quillbot—in the preparation and submission of manuscripts.

MSA Journal acknowledges the increasing role of AI technologies in academic publishing. When used appropriately, AI tools may assist authors in improving language quality, supporting data analysis, and facilitating various aspects of manuscript preparation, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. Nevertheless, the use of AI must be carefully regulated to preserve ethical principles, ensure originality, foster transparency, and maintain full author responsibility.

This policy presents the journal’s stance on the responsible and ethical application of AI tools in scholarly writing. It aims to provide clear guidance, avoid misuse, and align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)’s Core Practices and discussion papers on AI in publication processes.

Permitted Uses of AI

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 can assist in correcting grammar, spelling, and enhancing overall language clarity.
  • Reference management: AI tools can aid in managing citations, formatting references, and creating bibliography lists.
  • Plagiarism checking: AI-based plagiarism detection tools can be used to ensure the originality and integrity of the manuscript.
  • Data analysis: AI algorithms can assist in analyzing complex data sets and presenting results in a clear and concise manner.

Prohibited Uses of AI

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

  • Content creation: AI 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 should not be used to manipulate or fabricate data, create fraudulent results, or engage in any unethical practices related to manuscript preparation.

Recommendations for AI Usage

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

  • Verify AI-generated content: Authors should carefully review and validate any content generated or suggested by AI. The responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the manuscript remains with the authors.
  • Transparent disclosure: Authors must transparently disclose the use of AI 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 appropriately acknowledge the use of AI tools in the manuscript. This includes citing the relevant software or tool used.

Ethical Considerations

Authors are expected to follow ethical standards and uphold academic honesty when using AI in their work. Any misuse of AI—such as generating plagiarized content, violating copyright, or engaging in dishonest practices—will be treated as a violation of publication ethics.

Editorial Review

All manuscripts submitted to MSA Journal, whether AI-assisted or not, will be subject to the same thorough peer-review process, assessing their scholarly value, originality, and adherence to ethical guidelines.

Policy Review

This AI usage policy will be reviewed and revised periodically to keep pace with advancements in AI technology and evolving best practices in academic publishing.

Contact

For any inquiries or questions related to this policy, please contact the editorial team at abdimas.lppm@unja.ac.id