AI Policy

Zakariya Journal of Social Sciences (ZJSS) recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic research and publishing. The journal supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI technologies while maintaining academic integrity, originality, and accountability.

Responsible Use of AI Tools

Authors may use AI-assisted tools for limited purposes, such as:

  • Improving language, grammar, and readability.
  • Assisting with formatting and manuscript organization.
  • Supporting data analysis or research workflows when appropriately disclosed.
  • Enhancing research efficiency without replacing the intellectual contribution of authors.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose any significant use of AI tools during manuscript preparation. The disclosure should include:

  • Name of the AI tool used.
  • Purpose of AI assistance.
  • Sections or aspects of the manuscript where AI was applied.

AI-generated assistance should be acknowledged transparently in the manuscript when applicable.

Author Responsibility

Authors remain fully responsible for:

  • The accuracy, originality, and integrity of their submitted work.
  • Verification of all AI-assisted content.
  • Proper citation of sources and references.
  • Ensuring that AI-generated information does not contain errors, plagiarism, or misleading statements.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or contributors because they cannot take responsibility for the research and publication process.

Prohibited Use of AI

Authors must not use AI tools to:

  • Generate complete manuscripts without substantial human intellectual contribution.
  • Fabricate data, results, references, or research findings.
  • Misrepresent AI-generated content as original human work.
  • Manipulate images, figures, or research materials in a misleading manner.
  • Avoid responsibility for ethical and scholarly obligations.

Editorial and Peer Review Use of AI

Editors and reviewers must protect manuscript confidentiality and should not upload unpublished manuscripts or confidential information to external AI tools without appropriate authorization.

AI tools may only be used by editors and reviewers in ways that maintain confidentiality, fairness, and ethical standards.

Plagiarism and Research Integrity

AI-assisted manuscripts remain subject to the journal’s plagiarism screening and publication ethics procedures. Any misuse of AI that violates academic integrity may result in rejection, correction, or retraction.

Ethical Standards

Zakariya Journal of Social Sciences (ZJSS) follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and Guidelines and supports responsible AI use in scholarly publishing.

ZJSS is committed to ensuring that AI technologies are used as supportive tools while maintaining human responsibility, transparency, and academic integrity in all published research.