AI Tools Usage Policy

1. Introduction

Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies recognizes the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in supporting scholarly research and academic publishing. AI tools may assist authors in improving language, organizing information, conducting preliminary analysis, and performing other supporting tasks.

However, the use of AI tools must be conducted responsibly and transparently to protect academic integrity, originality, accuracy, research ethics, and accountability. AI tools must support scholarly work and must not replace the intellectual contribution and responsibility of the authors.

2. Definition of AI Tools

For the purposes of this policy, AI tools refer to digital systems, platforms, or software that use artificial intelligence techniques, including machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning, to generate, analyze, translate, summarize, modify, or process textual, numerical, visual, or audio information.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other large language models (LLMs).
  • Writing and language tools such as Grammarly, DeepL Write, and QuillBot.
  • AI-based data analysis and visualization tools.
  • AI systems used to create images, figures, graphs, or statistical models.
  • AI-powered literature review and citation tools.

3. Acceptable Use of AI Tools

Authors may use AI tools for limited and appropriate purposes provided that the use does not compromise the originality, accuracy, integrity, or scholarly responsibility of the manuscript.

Permissible uses may include:

  • Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language checking.
  • Improving linguistic clarity, academic style, and readability.
  • Formatting references and citations.
  • Supporting preliminary literature searches.
  • Supporting, but not replacing, statistical analysis or research modeling.
  • Generating basic visual aids or illustrations where ethically and legally appropriate.

Where AI-generated writing is detected, the journal may conduct additional editorial assessment. As a general editorial reference, a manuscript with an AI-writing detection result exceeding 20% may be returned to the authors for clarification, revision, or further assessment. AI detection results will not be used as the sole basis for determining misconduct.

4. Restricted and Prohibited Uses

AI tools must not be used to:

  • Generate an entire manuscript or substantial portions of original scholarly content without meaningful human contribution and critical review.
  • Fabricate, falsify, manipulate, or conceal research data, images, results, or findings.
  • Generate false references, citations, quotations, or sources.
  • Translate or substantially modify scholarly content without appropriate human verification.
  • Automatically summarize or paraphrase published material in a manner that constitutes plagiarism.
  • Produce content that infringes copyright or reproduces identifiable third-party material without appropriate permission.
  • Misrepresent AI-generated content as entirely the original work of the authors.

5. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are fully responsible for all content submitted to Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies, including content generated, translated, modified, or otherwise assisted by AI tools.

Authors must:

  • Verify the accuracy, originality, and reliability of AI-assisted content.
  • Check all references, citations, quotations, facts, and statistical information.
  • Ensure that AI-assisted content does not contain plagiarism or copyright infringement.
  • Review AI-generated outputs critically before including them in a manuscript.
  • Ensure that the use of AI does not introduce factual errors, inappropriate bias, or fabricated information.
  • Take full responsibility for any errors, omissions, or ethical violations arising from the use of AI tools.

6. Authorship and AI

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies.

Authorship is limited to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the research and who can take responsibility for the content of the manuscript.

AI tools must not be included in the author list, author contribution statement, or other statements in a manner that implies that the AI system is an author or responsible contributor.

7. Disclosure Requirements

Authors must provide transparent disclosure when AI tools have been used beyond basic spelling, grammar, punctuation, or formatting assistance, particularly when AI has contributed to substantive aspects of the manuscript or research process.

The disclosure should include:

  • The name of the AI tool.
  • The version, where applicable.
  • The developer or provider.
  • The purpose and extent of its use.
  • A statement confirming that the authors reviewed and take responsibility for the resulting content.

8. Location of AI Disclosure

Depending on how the AI tool was used, disclosure may be provided in one or more appropriate sections of the manuscript.

  • Methods Section: when AI contributed to data analysis, coding, figure generation, research methodology, or other methodological activities.
  • Acknowledgments Section: when AI was used to improve language, translation, formatting, or other non-substantive aspects of writing.
  • Declaration of AI Tool Usage: where appropriate, authors are encouraged to include a dedicated statement.
Example of AI Disclosure:

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [AI tool name, version, and developer] for [describe the purpose and extent of use]. All AI-assisted outputs were critically reviewed and edited by the authors to ensure factual accuracy, clarity, originality, and compliance with academic standards. The authors take full responsibility for the integrity and content of this manuscript.

9. Editorial and Peer Review Oversight

Editors and peer reviewers may consider the use of AI tools as part of the manuscript's ethical, methodological, and scholarly assessment.

If undisclosed or inappropriate AI use is suspected, the editorial team may:

  • Request clarification from the authors.
  • Request revision or additional documentation.
  • Reject the manuscript.
  • Refer the matter to the author's institution where appropriate.
  • Initiate further investigation if research or publication misconduct is suspected.

Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies will not rely solely on automated AI-detection software when assessing suspected inappropriate AI use. Editorial assessment will involve human judgment, contextual review, and communication with the authors where necessary.

10. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with this policy may result in appropriate editorial action, including:

  • Rejection of the manuscript during the editorial or review process.
  • Request for revision or clarification.
  • Retraction of an article after publication where serious misconduct is established.
  • Notification of the author's institution in serious cases of suspected misconduct.
  • Restriction on future submissions in cases of severe or repeated violations.

11. Appeals and Dispute Resolution

Authors who disagree with an editorial decision related to AI usage may submit a formal written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief of Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies.

The appeal should clearly explain the basis of the disagreement and provide relevant evidence or supporting information. The editorial team will review the appeal fairly and objectively in accordance with the journal's editorial policies and applicable publication ethics principles.

12. Use of AI by the Editorial Team

Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies does not use AI tools to make autonomous editorial or peer-review decisions.

Any use of AI tools by editors or reviewers must not replace human judgment, confidentiality, accountability, or responsibility for editorial decisions. Any future implementation of AI-assisted editorial processes will be subject to appropriate ethical safeguards and human oversight.

13. Confidentiality and AI Tools

Authors, editors, and reviewers should not upload confidential manuscript content, unpublished research data, personal information, reviewer reports, or other confidential materials to public AI systems where such use may compromise confidentiality or intellectual property.

Editors and reviewers remain responsible for protecting the confidentiality of manuscripts and materials received during the editorial and peer-review process.

14. Policy Updates and Author Guidance

As AI technologies and scholarly publishing standards continue to evolve, Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies may periodically review and update this policy.

Authors are encouraged to consult this policy before submitting a manuscript. If authors are uncertain whether a particular use of AI is permitted, they should seek clarification from the editorial office before submission.

Ethical Commitment

Iktisyaf: Journal of Dakwah Studies supports responsible innovation in scholarly publishing while maintaining the principles of academic integrity, originality, transparency, human accountability, research ethics, and publication integrity.

15. Ethical Framework and References

This policy is informed by recommendations and ethical principles concerning the use of artificial intelligence in scholarly publishing, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Council of Science Editors (CSE).