AI Usage Policy and Guidelines

Synergy: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (SIJMDS), published by Synergy Publication, upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical scholarly communication. This policy defines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI tools in manuscript preparation according to WAME Recommendations and COPE Guidelines.

Permitted Uses of AI Tools

Authors may use AI-based tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot) only in a supportive and non-substantive capacity, including:

  • Language editing, grammar correction, formatting assistance
  • Improving clarity, readability, and style without altering meaning
  • Brainstorming, outlining, or organizing ideas

AI must not compromise originality, intellectual contribution, or scholarly rigor.

Prohibited Uses of AI Tools

AI tools must not be used for:

  • Generating original scholarly content, including hypotheses, theoretical arguments, interpretations, or conclusions
  • Conducting automated literature reviews or systematic searches
  • Creating or fabricating data, results, tables, figures, or images (unless explicitly permitted and clearly labeled)
  • Assisting with peer review or editorial decision-making
  • Circumventing authorship responsibility

Use of AI in these ways constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection or further action.

Disclosure Requirement

Author(s) must provide full and transparent disclosure of any AI tool used during manuscript preparation.

An “AI Usage Disclosure” statement must be included in the Acknowledgements section or at the end of the manuscript, specifying:

  • Name(s) of the AI tool(s) used
  • Purpose of use (e.g., language editing, clarity enhancement)
  • Extent of AI involvement

AI tools must not be listed as authors under any circumstances. Authorship is limited to individuals who meet standard authorship criteria.

Use of Generative AI Tools

If generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) are used, author(s) must:

  • Clearly acknowledge such use in the manuscript
  • Ensure that AI-assisted content is reviewed, verified, and corrected by the authors
  • Provide additional methodological clarification if requested by the editors

Undisclosed use of AI tools may lead to rejection or post-publication corrective action.

Author Responsibility

Author(s) remain fully responsible for:

  • Accuracy, originality, and integrity of all manuscript content
  • Ensuring AI-assisted text does not introduce factual errors, bias, or plagiarism
  • Compliance with journal ethical standards

Use of AI tools does not transfer accountability from authors to software providers.

AI Content Screening

All submitted manuscripts may be assessed using AI-content detection tools in combination with editorial judgment.

If more than 20% of the manuscript content is identified as likely AI-generated, the manuscript may be:

  • Rejected without peer review
  • Returned to the author(s) for explanation and substantial revision, at the discretion of the editorial team

Detection tools are supportive indicators only. Final decisions are based on originality, intellectual contribution, author accountability, and ethical compliance.

Undisclosed AI-generated content exceeding the acceptable threshold may be treated as an ethical violation and handled according to the journal’s Publication Ethics, Plagiarism, and Retraction Policies.

Non-Compliance and Ethical Violations

  • Failure to disclose AI use or exceeding 20% AI-generated content without declaration may lead to:
    • Immediate manuscript rejection
    • Retraction of published articles
    • Notification to the author’s institution for serious/repeated violations

Policy Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically as AI technologies and editorial standards evolve. Authors should consult the latest policy before submission. For clarification, contact the editorial office.