GENERATIVE AI POLICIES

1. Purpose and Scope

Window of Midwifery Journal (WoMJ) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools may assist authors, reviewers, and editors in various aspects of scholarly publishing. These tools may support language improvement, literature organization, data presentation, and other activities that facilitate scientific communication.

This policy establishes principles for the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of generative AI in manuscript preparation, peer review, and editorial decision-making. It applies to all authors, reviewers, editors, and other contributors involved in the publication process of WoMJ.

The use of generative AI must not compromise scientific integrity, research originality, confidentiality, patient privacy, research ethics, or the reliability of published information.

2. Use of Generative AI by Authors

Authors may use generative AI tools to assist with language editing, grammar correction, translation, organization of ideas, and improvement of manuscript readability. AI tools may also be used to support preliminary literature exploration or data visualization, provided that the authors independently verify the accuracy and validity of the resulting content.

Authors remain fully responsible for the entire manuscript, including all text, data, references, analyses, figures, and conclusions, regardless of whether generative AI tools have been used.

Authors must ensure that:

1. All scientific claims, interpretations, references, and factual statements are accurate and supported by reliable sources.

2. No data, research findings, citations, references, or scientific evidence are fabricated, falsified, or misleadingly presented.

3. The use of AI does not constitute plagiarism, misrepresentation of authorship, or infringement of copyright and intellectual property rights.

4. All research methods, results, and conclusions accurately reflect the work actually performed.

5. Confidential information, personal data, patient information, and identifiable research participant data are not entered into AI tools without appropriate authorization and adequate data protection.

6. The final manuscript is critically reviewed and approved by all listed authors before submission.

Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of the research, approve the final manuscript, or fulfill the ethical obligations of authorship.

3. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI tools when such tools have contributed substantively to the preparation or development of the manuscript, including the generation or rewriting of scientific text, interpretation of findings, creation of figures, or other intellectual contributions.

The disclosure should identify the AI tool used, its purpose, and the relevant stage of manuscript preparation. Authors are not required to disclose routine spelling, grammar, or reference-management tools that do not generate substantive content.

The disclosure should be included in a separate section entitled “Declaration of Generative AI Use”, preferably before the References section.

Example:

Declaration of Generative AI Use

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] for [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed and edited the generated content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the published work.

If no generative AI tools were used, authors may state:

“The authors declare that no generative artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.”

4. Use of AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Data

The use of generative AI to create or substantially modify images, illustrations, figures, or other visual materials must be disclosed. Authors must ensure that such materials do not misrepresent research findings, alter experimental evidence, violate copyright, or infringe the rights of third parties.

AI-generated or AI-modified images must not be presented as authentic clinical photographs, laboratory results, microscopy images, radiological images, or other original research evidence.

Authors must not use generative AI to fabricate, manipulate, or selectively alter research data, experimental results, patient records, or clinical findings.

The use of AI-generated material must comply with applicable copyright, licensing, research ethics, and publication requirements. WoMJ reserves the right to request clarification regarding the origin and authenticity of submitted materials.

5. Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and related documents received for peer review.

Reviewers must not upload unpublished manuscripts, research data, figures, tables, supplementary materials, or confidential correspondence into publicly accessible or otherwise unauthorized generative AI systems.

Generative AI must not replace the reviewer's independent scientific judgment. Reviewers are responsible for assessing the originality, methodological quality, scientific validity, ethical compliance, and relevance of the manuscript.

Reviewers must not rely on AI-generated assessments without independent verification, nor use AI tools to generate substantive peer-review reports in a manner that compromises confidentiality, impartiality, or accountability.

Any permitted use of AI by reviewers must comply with the journal's confidentiality requirements and applicable institutional policies. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of their evaluations.

6. Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use appropriate digital tools to support administrative and editorial tasks, provided that such use does not compromise confidentiality, impartiality, or the integrity of the editorial process.

Editors must not upload confidential manuscripts, reviewer reports, author correspondence, or other unpublished materials into unauthorized generative AI systems.

Generative AI must not independently determine whether a manuscript should be accepted, revised, or rejected. Editorial decisions must be made by qualified human editors based on the manuscript's scientific merit, reviewer recommendations, ethical compliance, and the journal's editorial policies.

Editors remain responsible for ensuring that manuscripts are evaluated fairly, consistently, and confidentially.

7. Ethical Compliance, Privacy, and Confidentiality

All uses of generative AI must comply with applicable research ethics standards, data protection requirements, copyright regulations, and the journal's publication ethics policies.

For manuscripts involving human participants, clinical cases, or patient information, authors must ensure that confidentiality is maintained and that informed consent and ethical approval requirements are fulfilled where applicable.

The use of AI does not exempt authors, reviewers, or editors from their professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities.

8. Editorial Assessment and Policy Violations

WoMJ may request clarification or additional information concerning the use of generative AI during manuscript preparation, review, or publication.

Undisclosed or inappropriate AI use, fabricated references, falsified data, misleading AI-generated content, plagiarism, or breaches of confidentiality may result in additional editorial assessment.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, the journal may return the manuscript for correction, reject the submission, suspend the review process, or take further action in accordance with its publication ethics policies. For published articles, appropriate post-publication action may be considered when necessary.

Any editorial action will be based on the available evidence and the journal's applicable policies rather than solely on the output of an AI-detection tool.

9. Policy Review and Updates

WoMJ will periodically review this policy to reflect developments in generative AI technologies, scholarly publishing standards, and research ethics. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to comply with the version of the policy applicable at the time of submission or participation in the editorial process.

By submitting a manuscript to WoMJ, authors acknowledge their responsibility to comply with this policy and all other applicable journal requirements.