AI Tools Usage Policy

The International Journal of Counseling and Applied Psychology (IJCAP) acknowledges the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and their potential to support academic research and publication. However, the journal also recognizes the risks of misuse, including plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship misrepresentation, and threats to academic integrity.

Therefore, IJCAP establishes the following policy on the use of AI tools to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible integration of AI in scholarly publishing.

1. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all forms of AI and machine learning tools, including but not limited to:

  • Text generation tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Claude).
  • Language editing tools (e.g., Grammarly, Quillbot).
  • Image generation or manipulation tools (e.g., DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, MidJourney).
  • Data analysis and statistical AI tools (e.g., SPSS AI plug-ins, R-based AI scripts, MATLAB AI).
  • Reference management and citation tools with AI features.

2. Acceptable Use of AI

AI tools may be used as assistive technology in the following contexts:

  • Language editing and proofreading (grammar, spelling, clarity, and style).
  • Reference formatting and bibliographic management.
  • Data processing and statistical computation, provided results are validated by authors.
  • Idea structuring and brainstorming, with authors responsible for refinement.
  • Image enhancement for clarity (not for fabrication of results).

3. Unacceptable Use of AI

AI tools must not be used for:

  • Generating substantial portions of the manuscript (introduction, methodology, results, or discussion).
  • Fabricating, falsifying, or altering data, tables, figures, or results.
  • Creating fabricated references or citations.
  • Serving as an author or co-author (AI cannot hold accountability).
  • Replacing human judgment in interpretation of data, conclusions, or ethical decision-making.

4. Disclosure Requirements

Transparency is mandatory when AI tools are used:

  • Authors must explicitly disclose the use of AI tools in the manuscript, preferably in the Acknowledgments or Methods section.
  • Disclosure must include:
    • The tool’s name and version (e.g., ChatGPT-4, OpenAI, 2025).
    • The purpose of its use (e.g., grammar correction, language clarity, data visualization).
    • A statement of author accountability for verifying AI-generated output.

Example disclosure: “The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, USA, 2025 version) for language editing and grammar refinement. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted content, and they take full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the manuscript.”

5. Authorship and Responsibility

  • AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors, as they do not meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship.
  • Only humans can claim authorship and take responsibility for research integrity.
  • Authors remain fully accountable for the originality, accuracy, and ethical compliance of their manuscripts, regardless of AI use.

6. Detection and Monitoring

  • All submissions are subject to AI-detection and similarity screening (using iThenticate, Turnitin, and AI-content detection tools).
  • Manuscripts suspected of containing undisclosed or excessive AI-generated content will be investigated.
  • The editorial board may request raw data, methodology details, or further clarification to validate authorship.

7. Misuse and Consequences

Misuse of AI tools constitutes academic misconduct. This includes:

  • Failure to disclose AI use.
  • Submission of AI-generated text, data, or images as original work.
  • AI-generated plagiarism or fabricated references.

Consequences may include:

  • Desk rejection (pre-review rejection).
  • Retraction of published articles (in line with R-W-C Policy).
  • Blacklisting of authors for future submissions.
  • Notification to authors’ institutions or funding bodies in cases of severe misconduct.

8. Ethical Principles

Authors must ensure AI use complies with:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
  • APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists (especially in counseling/educational studies).
  • International standards of transparency and integrity in publishing (Elsevier, Springer Nature, IEEE, Wiley).

9. Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Editors and reviewers are trained to identify signs of AI misuse.
  • The editorial team reserves the right to request clarifications, additional data, or revisions regarding AI usage.
  • The final decision regarding AI-related issues rests with the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial board.