Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as large language models, chatbots and AI writing assistants, can support scholarly work. They can also produce plausible but false statements, invented references and text that reproduces the work of others without attribution. This policy sets out how authors, reviewers and editors at CIJFMR may use these tools. It applies to all manuscripts submitted on or after 30 October 2026.
1. Authors
1.1 AI tools cannot be authors
An AI tool cannot meet the criteria for authorship. It cannot take responsibility for the work, approve the final version, respond to reviewers or be accountable for the integrity of the research. The Journal does not accept manuscripts that list an AI tool as an author or contributor.
1.2 Permitted uses, with disclosure
- improving the grammar, spelling, readability and language of text the authors have written;
- checking the formatting of citations against a style guide;
- translating the authors' own text, provided the authors verify the translation;
- assisting with code for data analysis, provided the authors understand, check and take responsibility for the code and its results.
1.3 Prohibited uses
- generating the substantive content of the manuscript, including its research questions, arguments, analysis, interpretation, findings or conclusions;
- generating or altering research data, case summaries, quotations or results;
- generating references or citations, or summaries of sources the authors have not read;
- creating or altering images, figures or tables presented as research evidence, unless the use of AI is itself the subject of the research and is fully described in the methodology;
- paraphrasing another author's work to avoid similarity detection.
1.4 Disclosure
The submission form asks every author whether generative AI tools were used beyond spelling and grammar. If they were, state in the form and on the title page, under "Use of AI tools": the name and version of each tool; the purpose for which it was used; and the parts of the manuscript affected.
Example: "The authors used [tool name and version] to improve the grammar and readability of Sections II and III. The authors reviewed and edited all output and take full responsibility for the content."
Where no AI tools were used, state: "No AI tools were used in preparing this manuscript." Routine spelling and grammar checks built into word processors do not require disclosure.
1.5 Screening and limits
Every manuscript is screened for AI-generated content at the plagiarism check. A manuscript whose AI-generated content reaches 25% or more is returned for correction or, together with a high similarity index, may be declined.
1.6 Responsibility
Authors remain fully responsible for everything in the manuscript, including text produced or edited with the help of an AI tool, and must check every statement and every reference for accuracy.
2. Reviewers
Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, to a generative AI tool or any other external service, and must not use an AI tool to write, summarise or evaluate the review. Reviewers may use basic language tools to correct the grammar of a review they have written themselves, provided no part of the manuscript is entered into the tool. Reviewers remain responsible for the content of their reports.
3. Editors
Editors must not upload manuscripts, reviewer reports or decision letters to generative AI tools, and take every editorial decision themselves. The Journal uses approved tools for technical screening, such as similarity and AI-content detection, and these tools support rather than replace editorial judgement.
4. Detection and enforcement
Detection software is not conclusive, and the Journal does not reject a manuscript on the basis of a detection score alone. Where an editor has reason to believe that AI tools were used in breach of this policy, the editor asks the authors for an explanation before reaching a conclusion. Breaches are handled under the Publication ethics and malpractice statement; outcomes may include rejection of the manuscript or, after publication, a correction or retraction.
5. Review of this policy
AI tools and the norms governing them are changing quickly. The Journal will review this policy at least once a year and publish any changes on this page with their effective date.