AI-policy

NJRST recognises that augmented/generative AI and AI-assisted technologies are increasingly used in research, writing, editing, translation, data analysis, coding, visualisation and communication. The journal supports responsible, transparent and ethical use of such tools, but authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, originality and scholarly quality of their work.

General principles

Authors may use AI-assisted technologies to improve readability, grammar, spelling, structure or language. However, AI tools must not replace the author’s intellectual contribution, critical judgement, interpretation, analysis or responsibility.

Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies accountability, responsibility, consent and ethical obligations that can only be held by humans.

Authors must carefully check all AI-assisted output for accuracy, bias, completeness, context, fabricated references, incorrect citations, data errors and misleading statements.

Disclosure requirement

All submissions must include a statement indicating whether generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in preparing the manuscript or conducting the research.

Where generative AI was used beyond basic spelling, grammar or formatting support, authors must disclose:

  • the name of the tool or service used;
  • the purpose for which it was used;
  • the stage of the research or writing process in which it was used;
  • how the output was reviewed, verified and edited by the author(s); and
  • whether AI was used in data collection, transcription, coding, analysis, image generation, translation, literature searching or drafting.

Suggested disclosure statement:

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [name of tool/service] to [describe purpose]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed, verified and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

If no AI tools were used, authors may state:

The author(s) declare that no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the preparation of this manuscript, except for routine spelling, grammar or formatting checks.

Prohibited or restricted uses

NJRST does not permit authors to:

  • list AI tools as authors;
  • submit AI-generated content without human verification and accountability;
  • fabricate data, sources, references or evidence using AI;
  • use AI-generated images, tables or data without disclosure and appropriate permissions;
  • use synthetic data as a substitute for actual research data unless the manuscript is explicitly about synthetic data and the method is fully justified; or
  • upload confidential participant data, unpublished manuscripts, reviewer reports or sensitive information into AI tools without the necessary consent, permissions and safeguards.

AI use by reviewers and editors

Reviewers and editors must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential. They should not upload manuscripts, data, figures or review material to generative AI tools or third-party platforms where confidentiality, privacy or intellectual property cannot be assured.

Any use of AI-assisted tools in the review or editorial process must be disclosed and must not replace expert judgement.

Updated: 21 May 2026