Teaching and Learning Journal of Mandalika (Teacher)
1. Purpose and Scope
The Teaching and Learning Journal of Mandalika (Teacher) recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can support academic research, writing, language editing, translation, data analysis, and other scholarly activities. This policy establishes guidelines for the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI tools in manuscript preparation, peer review, and editorial processes. It applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the journal's publication process.
2. Use of AI Tools by Authors
Authors may use AI tools to assist with language editing, grammar correction, translation, idea organization, coding assistance, data analysis, and other appropriate research activities. However, AI tools must not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, critical judgment, or responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the manuscript. Authors remain fully responsible for all content submitted for publication, including any text, references, data, images, or conclusions produced or assisted by AI tools. Authors must carefully verify all AI-generated content before submission.
3. Mandatory Disclosure of AI Use
Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in preparing their manuscripts, including tools used for text generation, image creation, data analysis, coding assistance, translation, or other relevant activities. The disclosure must be included in the Acknowledgments or a designated AI Disclosure section and must identify the name of the AI tool, its version where available, and the purpose and extent of its use. If no AI tools were used, authors may include the statement: “The authors declare that no artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.” Authors should follow any additional disclosure instructions provided by the journal.
4. Prohibited and Unacceptable Uses
The following practices are prohibited: (a) submitting AI-generated content as original human-authored work without appropriate disclosure; (b) using AI tools to fabricate or manipulate research data, results, images, citations, or references; (c) presenting inaccurate, fictitious, or unverifiable references generated by AI; (d) using AI to plagiarize, misrepresent research findings, or conceal the origin of content; (e) using AI-generated material in ways that violate copyright, confidentiality, research ethics, or applicable laws; and (f) using AI tools to produce fraudulent, misleading, or scientifically unsupported conclusions. Any suspected violation may be investigated and handled in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies.
5. Authorship and Accountability
AI tools, including generative AI systems and large language models, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot take responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of scholarly work. Authorship is reserved for individuals who meet the journal's authorship requirements. Authors must ensure that all listed authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and accept responsibility for its contents.
6. Use of AI by Reviewers
Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts under review. Reviewers must not upload unpublished manuscripts, confidential research data, reviewer reports, or other confidential materials to public or third-party AI tools without appropriate authorization and safeguards. AI tools must not replace reviewers' independent expert judgment. Reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness, relevance, and confidentiality of their evaluations. Any permitted use of AI assistance must comply with the journal's confidentiality requirements and applicable policies.
7. Use of AI by Editors
Editors may use appropriate AI tools to support administrative tasks, language assistance, or editorial workflows, provided that confidentiality, data protection, impartiality, and publication ethics are maintained. AI tools must not make final editorial decisions independently. Editors remain responsible for decisions concerning manuscript acceptance, revision, rejection, and publication. Confidential manuscripts and personal data must not be entered into external AI systems unless their use is authorized and appropriate safeguards are in place.
8. AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Data
Authors must disclose the use of AI to generate or modify images, figures, visual materials, code, or research data when such use is relevant to the manuscript. AI-generated or AI-modified materials must not misrepresent experimental evidence, observations, or research findings. Authors must verify the accuracy and authenticity of all submitted materials and ensure compliance with applicable copyright, licensing, and ethical requirements. AI must never be used to fabricate or falsify research evidence.
9. Plagiarism, Similarity, and Research Integrity
The use of AI does not exempt authors from complying with the journal's plagiarism policy, citation requirements, and research integrity standards. Authors must properly cite the original sources of ideas, data, methods, and findings. AI-generated references must be independently verified, and all factual claims must be supported by reliable evidence. The journal reserves the right to request clarification, supporting documentation, or revisions when concerns about AI use or research integrity arise.
10. Editorial Assessment and Policy Violations
The journal may assess disclosed or suspected AI use when evaluating a manuscript's originality, accuracy, transparency, and ethical compliance. Where necessary, the editor may request additional explanations or supporting information from the authors. Undisclosed or inappropriate AI use, fabricated references, manipulated data, or other violations may result in a request for correction, rejection of the manuscript, withdrawal of acceptance, retraction of a published article, or other appropriate action in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures.
11. Policy Updates
This policy may be reviewed and updated to reflect developments in AI technology, scholarly publishing standards, research ethics, and applicable regulations. Authors, reviewers, and editors are responsible for following the version of the policy applicable to their publication activities.
12. Author Declaration
By submitting a manuscript to the Teaching and Learning Journal of Mandalika (Teacher), authors confirm that they have disclosed the use of AI tools where applicable, verified the accuracy and originality of the manuscript, complied with relevant ethical standards, and accepted full responsibility for the submitted work.