AI Policy Statement for Authors and Reviewers

The Ukrainian Journal of Nephrology and Dialysis (UJND) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical responsibility in all aspects of research and publication. With the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in scientific research, we recognize the need to establish clear guidelines for both authors and reviewers to ensure the responsible use of AI throughout the publication process. This policy outlines the expectations for authors and reviewers regarding the use of AI tools, technologies, and algorithms in the preparation, submission, and evaluation of manuscripts.

 

For Authors:

1. Disclosure of AI Usage:

Authors are required to fully disclose any use of AI tools or technologies in the creation, data analysis, model development, or statistical evaluation of their manuscript. This includes AI-driven tools used for data processing, literature reviews, writing assistance, and grammar checking. Authors must clearly indicate how AI has contributed to the development of the manuscript.

2. Transparency in AI Methods:

If AI is utilized in the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of results, authors must provide detailed descriptions of the specific AI methods, algorithms, and datasets used. This disclosure should explain the role of AI in research and how it contributed to the findings, ensuring that the use of AI is both transparent and reproducible.

3. Data Integrity and Validation:

AI-generated results must be validated through sound scientific methods. Authors should ensure that AI tools do not substitute for critical analysis, human expertise, or ethical research practices. AI-based findings must be reproducible and verifiable, and authors are responsible for maintaining the scientific integrity of their work.

4. Originality and Authorship:

The intellectual contributions of the authors must remain at the forefront of the manuscript. AI tools may assist with various tasks, but the final responsibility for the research and content belongs to the authors. AI-generated content should not replace or misrepresent the intellectual work of the authors.

5. AI in Literature Review and Citations:

When AI technologies are used for literature reviews or citation management, authors must ensure the accuracy, relevance, and proper contextualization of references generated by AI. AI-generated citations must be manually reviewed and verified by the authors to avoid errors or misrepresentation.

6. Ethical Considerations:

Authors must address potential biases or ethical concerns introduced by AI systems, particularly in clinical research. It is essential that AI tools are used in compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and that informed consent is obtained from any human research subject involved.

7. Right to Decline Publication:

The editorial board of the UJND reserves the right to decline publication of any manuscript that fails to disclose the use of AI tools or technologies in the research and manuscript preparation process. Non-disclosure of AI involvement is considered a breach of transparency and ethical standards.

 

For Reviewers:

1. AI in Peer Review Process:

Reviewers are expected to assess manuscripts with the utmost professionalism, ensuring that AI tools, if used, have been properly disclosed by the authors. Reviewers should evaluate the transparency and integrity of the manuscript, paying particular attention to any AI-related contributions. If the reviewer suspects that AI has been improperly used or not disclosed, they should raise these concerns with the editorial board.

2. Confidentiality and Objectivity:

Reviewers are expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the contents of the manuscript, including any AI-assisted components, throughout the review process. AI tools used in peer review, such as plagiarism detection and manuscript formatting, should not influence the objective evaluation of the scientific content.

3. Ethical Use of AI in Reviewing:

Reviewers should not upload manuscripts or any parts of it into any online platform, including generative AI / AI-assisted platforms as this violates both the Journal policy on publishing ethics and the authors’ confidentiality rights. Reviewers must adhere to ethical standards when using AI-based tools in their own review process. They should not rely solely on AI tools for evaluating the manuscript's quality, accuracy, or integrity, but should apply their professional judgment and expertise.

4. Bias Detection:

Reviewers should be vigilant in identifying potential biases in AI-generated content or analysis. If an AI tool has been used to analyze data or generate conclusions, reviewers must ensure that the results are not skewed or influenced by bias inherent in the AI system. They should also verify that any conclusions drawn from AI tools are scientifically valid.

5. Right to Decline Review:

Reviewers who feel uncomfortable evaluating a manuscript that uses AI tools without clear disclosure may decline to review the manuscript. It is the responsibility of reviewers to report any concerns about non-disclosure or unethical AI use to the editorial board.

 

General Guidelines:

1. Ethical Standards and Transparency:

Both authors and reviewers must adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical responsibility in all AI-related matters. Any use of AI should be declared, explained, and documented clearly to maintain the scientific rigor of the publication process.

2. AI Detection Tools:

The UJND may use AI detection tools to identify content that may have been generated or significantly altered by AI technologies. Both authors and reviewers should ensure that their work adheres to ethical writing and research standards, avoiding misuse of AI to create or manipulate content inappropriately.

3. Commitment to Innovation and Integrity:

The UJND embraces AI as a tool to support innovation in nephrology and dialysis research. However, we are equally committed to ensuring that AI is used ethically, responsibly, and transparently, with proper acknowledgment of its role in any publication.