Generative AI Policy

Catalyst: Journal of Transformative Education recognizes the rapid development of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and their growing use in academic writing and research. This policy sets out clear guidelines for the use of such tools in manuscripts submitted to this journal, in line with our commitment to research integrity, transparency, and scholarly accountability.

1. Definition of Generative AI

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence tools capable of producing text, images, data, or other content based on user prompts. Examples include, but are not limited to, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Copilot, and similar large language model (LLM)-based tools.

2. Policy for Authors

2.1 AI Cannot Be Listed as an Author Generative AI tools do not meet the criteria for authorship as defined by established academic standards (e.g., ICMJE). AI tools cannot take responsibility for the work, cannot provide informed consent, and cannot be held accountable for ethical violations. Therefore, no AI tool may be listed as an author of any manuscript submitted to Catalyst: Journal of Transformative Education.

2.2 Permitted Use Authors may use Generative AI tools for assistive purposes only, including:

  • Grammar checking and language editing
  • Paraphrasing and improving clarity of expression
  • Literature search assistance
  • Formatting and structural suggestions

The intellectual content, research design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, and conclusions must remain the original work of the human author(s).

2.3 Prohibited Use The following uses of Generative AI are not permitted:

  • Generating the core academic content of the manuscript (e.g., writing the introduction, literature review, results, discussion, or conclusion in full)
  • Fabricating or hallucinating references, data, or citations
  • Misrepresenting AI-generated content as original human scholarship
  • Using AI to bypass the plagiarism screening process

2.4 Disclosure Requirement Authors who use Generative AI tools in any part of the manuscript preparation process must disclose this use in the manuscript. The disclosure should be placed in the Acknowledgments section and must specify:

  • The name and version of the AI tool used
  • The purpose for which it was used
  • A statement confirming that the authors reviewed, verified, and take full responsibility for the AI-assisted content

Example disclosure:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [Tool Name, e.g., ChatGPT-4] for [specific purpose, e.g., grammar checking and language editing]. The author(s) reviewed and edited all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the published work."

Failure to disclose the use of Generative AI constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

3. Policy for Reviewers

Peer reviewers are not permitted to upload or share any part of a manuscript under review into a Generative AI tool. Doing so would violate the confidentiality of the peer review process. Reviewers may use AI tools only for general language support in writing their own review comments, provided no manuscript content is inputted.

4. Policy for Editors

Editors of Catalyst: Journal of Transformative Education are responsible for upholding this policy and may request additional information from authors regarding their use of Generative AI. Editors may use AI tools for administrative and editorial language tasks but must not use them to make substantive editorial decisions on manuscripts.

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically as the landscape of Generative AI continues to evolve. Catalyst: Journal of Transformative Education is committed to aligning with best practices set by leading academic publishers and international scholarly bodies (such as COPE, ICMJE, and Elsevier guidelines).