AI Use and Disclosure Policy

Didaktika Biologi: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Biologi recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies can support various aspects of academic research and scholarly writing. These technologies may assist authors in improving language, organizing ideas, analyzing information, and supporting other research-related activities.

However, the use of AI must be conducted responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with academic integrity and publication ethics. AI tools cannot replace human intellectual contribution, critical judgment, or accountability. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, validity, and integrity of all content submitted to and published in the journal.

01. General Principles

The journal applies the following principles regarding the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in scholarly publishing:

Transparency: The use of AI tools must be disclosed when they contribute to the preparation or development of a manuscript.
Human accountability: Authors are responsible for all content submitted, including content generated or modified with AI assistance.
Accuracy and verification: AI-generated information, references, data, and interpretations must be independently checked and verified.
Academic integrity: AI must not be used to fabricate or falsify research data, manipulate results, generate misleading references, or misrepresent scholarly contributions.
Confidentiality: Manuscript materials, unpublished research data, and confidential information must not be entered into AI tools or external platforms without appropriate authorization and safeguards.

02. Permitted Uses of AI by Authors

Authors may use AI and AI-assisted technologies for appropriate supporting purposes, provided that their use does not compromise the originality, validity, or integrity of the research.

Examples of acceptable uses include:

Improving grammar, spelling, language clarity, and academic writing style.
Translating or refining language in a manuscript.
Organizing ideas, outlining sections, or improving the structure of a manuscript.
Assisting with literature exploration, provided that all sources are independently located, read, and verified.
Supporting coding, data organization, or preliminary data analysis, provided that the methods and outputs are independently checked and accurately reported.
Assisting in the preparation of tables, illustrations, or other research materials, provided that their accuracy, originality, and appropriate use are verified.

The use of AI must not replace the authors' responsibility for research design, data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and the formulation of conclusions.

03. Prohibited and Unacceptable Uses of AI

AI must not be used in ways that violate research integrity, mislead readers, or undermine the credibility of scholarly publications. The following practices are considered unacceptable:

Generating, fabricating, or falsifying research data, observations, experimental results, or research findings.
Creating fictitious references, citations, authors, or sources that do not exist.
Presenting AI-generated content as original human intellectual work without appropriate disclosure.
Using AI to manipulate images, figures, or research evidence in ways that distort or misrepresent the original information.
Using AI-generated analysis or interpretations without checking their accuracy and methodological validity.
Using AI to impersonate authors, reviewers, editors, or other individuals involved in the publication process.
Uploading confidential manuscripts, reviewer reports, or unpublished research materials to AI platforms without authorization.

04. AI Disclosure Requirements for Authors

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools when such tools have contributed to the preparation or development of the submitted manuscript. The disclosure should identify the AI tool used and explain its purpose and the extent of its contribution.

The disclosure should be included in a separate section entitled "Declaration of AI Use", preferably before the References section. Authors should provide sufficient information to enable readers and editors to understand how AI was used in the research or manuscript preparation.

Example 1. When AI tools have been used:

"The authors used [name of AI tool] to assist with [specific purpose, e.g., language editing, translation, or organizing ideas] during manuscript preparation. All AI-assisted outputs were reviewed, verified, and revised by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the content of this manuscript."

Example 2. When no AI tools have been used:

"The authors declare that no generative AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript."

Authors must ensure that the disclosure accurately reflects the actual use of AI. Routine spelling or grammar checking through standard word-processing functions does not necessarily require a separate declaration, unless the tool involves generative AI that substantially contributes to the manuscript.

05. AI and Authorship

AI tools and AI-assisted technologies cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to Didaktika Biologi. Authorship requires human accountability, intellectual contribution, and the ability to take responsibility for the integrity of the work.

Any contribution made by AI must be appropriately disclosed. Authors must not attribute intellectual contributions, decisions, or responsibilities to AI tools. All authors are accountable for the work and must ensure that the manuscript complies with the journal's Authorship and Contributorship Policy.

06. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to maintain confidentiality, objectivity, and independence throughout the peer-review process. The use of AI tools in reviewing manuscripts must not compromise these principles.

Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, unpublished data, or confidential review materials to public or external AI tools without authorization.
Reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and relevance of their review reports.
AI-generated suggestions must not replace the reviewer's independent academic judgment.
Reviewers must disclose relevant AI assistance to the editor when it has materially contributed to the preparation of their review report.
Reviewers must not use AI tools to generate unsupported criticisms, conclusions, or recommendations about a manuscript.

07. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors must ensure that the use of AI does not compromise the confidentiality, fairness, and integrity of editorial decisions.

Editors must not upload confidential manuscripts or reviewer reports to external AI tools without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
Editorial decisions must be based on academic evaluation, peer-review reports, and the journal's editorial policies, not solely on AI-generated assessments.
Editors must assess disclosed AI use when necessary to determine whether it complies with the journal's policies.
Editors must maintain confidentiality and protect the intellectual property of authors throughout the editorial process.
Editors must address suspected inappropriate AI use in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics and Research Misconduct Policies.

08. Editorial Assessment and Actions

The editorial team may assess the use of AI when concerns arise regarding originality, accuracy, authorship, research integrity, or compliance with disclosure requirements.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the concern, the journal may:

Request clarification or additional information from the authors.
Require a complete or revised AI use declaration.
Request supporting documentation or verification of relevant research materials.
Require manuscript revision or reject a manuscript that does not meet the journal's ethical standards.
Issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction for published articles when justified.
Refer serious cases of suspected research or publication misconduct to the relevant institutions or authorities.

The use of AI alone is not grounds for automatic rejection. Editorial decisions will consider the nature of the AI use, the extent of its contribution, the accuracy of the disclosure, and its implications for research and publication integrity.

09. Accountability and Policy Updates

All authors, reviewers, and editors are responsible for complying with this policy. Didaktika Biologi may update this policy in response to developments in AI technologies, scholarly publishing standards, and recommendations from relevant publication ethics organizations.

By submitting a manuscript to the journal, authors acknowledge their responsibility to disclose AI use accurately and to ensure that all submitted content meets the journal's standards of academic integrity and publication ethics.