Generative AI Policy

Biological & Clinical Sciences Research Journal (BCSRJ) permits generative AI and AI‑assisted technologies to support the scholarly publishing process.

Appropriate use

  • Language support only – Authors may use AI tools to improve grammar, spelling or readability and to generate high‑level ideas. AI must not replace human critical thinking or be used to draft the introduction, methodology, analysis or conclusion of a paper

  • Human oversight – Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and originality of their work. They must review and verify any AI‑generated text, check references and ensure that the paper reflects their own analysis

  • Disclosure – When AI tools are used beyond basic editing, authors must include a statement at the end of the manuscript specifying the tool name, version, prompts and sections improved. This promotes transparency and trust.

Prohibited practices

  • Content creation – AI tools may not be used to write substantive parts of a manuscript or analyse data. Fabricating or manipulating data, code or figures using AI is not allowed

  • Authorship – AI cannot be listed as an author. Authorship implies accountability that can only be carried out by humans

  • Images and figures – Generative AI must not be used to create or alter images, except when it forms part of the research methodology and is fully described

  • Undeclared use – Failure to disclose AI use beyond grammar/spelling checks is a breach of ethics and may result in rejection or retraction of the article

Guidance for reviewers and editors

  • Confidentiality – Reviewers and editors must not upload submitted manuscripts or peer review reports into AI tools. Peer review and editorial decisions rely on human judgement, and AI should not be used to assess or decide the acceptance of manuscripts.

  • Permissible tools – Editors may use secure, in‑house AI tools for technical checks (such as plagiarism screening or matching submissions with reviewers) as long as confidentiality is protected.

Keeping the policy current

BCSRJ will periodically update this policy in line with evolving guidance from organisations such as Elsevier, IEEE and COPE. Questions about AI use should be directed to the managing editor. Following these principles will help ensure that research published in BCSRJ remains trustworthy, transparent and human‑authored.

Note: AI plagarism should be less than 30%