Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct

Journals and publishers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to screen submissions for potential misconduct, including plagiarism and data or image manipulation. While using AI can enhance the integrity of published manuscripts, it can also increase the risk of false/unsubstantiated a...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Hosseini, David B Resnik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Research Ethics Review
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241254052
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author Mohammad Hosseini
David B Resnik
author_facet Mohammad Hosseini
David B Resnik
author_sort Mohammad Hosseini
collection DOAJ
description Journals and publishers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to screen submissions for potential misconduct, including plagiarism and data or image manipulation. While using AI can enhance the integrity of published manuscripts, it can also increase the risk of false/unsubstantiated allegations. Ambiguities related to journals’ and publishers’ responsibilities concerning fairness and transparency also raise ethical concerns. In this Topic Piece, we offer the following guidance: (1) All cases of suspected misconduct identified by AI tools should be carefully reviewed by humans to verify accuracy and ensure accountability; (2) Journals/publishers that use AI tools to detect misconduct should use only well-tested and reliable tools, remain vigilant concerning forms of misconduct that cannot be detected by these tools, and stay abreast of advancements in technology; (3) Journals/publishers should inform authors about irregularities identified by AI tools and give them a chance to respond before forwarding allegations to their institutions in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines; (4) Journals/publishers that use AI tools to detect misconduct should screen all relevant submissions and not just random/purposefully selected submissions; and (5) Journals should inform authors about their definition of misconduct, their use of AI tools to detect misconduct, and their policies and procedures for responding to suspected cases of misconduct.
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spelling doaj-art-a9dc5a4906614568844636d9aaecce5b2025-01-03T09:04:06ZengSAGE PublishingResearch Ethics Review1747-01612047-60942025-01-012110.1177/17470161241254052Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconductMohammad HosseiniDavid B ResnikJournals and publishers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to screen submissions for potential misconduct, including plagiarism and data or image manipulation. While using AI can enhance the integrity of published manuscripts, it can also increase the risk of false/unsubstantiated allegations. Ambiguities related to journals’ and publishers’ responsibilities concerning fairness and transparency also raise ethical concerns. In this Topic Piece, we offer the following guidance: (1) All cases of suspected misconduct identified by AI tools should be carefully reviewed by humans to verify accuracy and ensure accountability; (2) Journals/publishers that use AI tools to detect misconduct should use only well-tested and reliable tools, remain vigilant concerning forms of misconduct that cannot be detected by these tools, and stay abreast of advancements in technology; (3) Journals/publishers should inform authors about irregularities identified by AI tools and give them a chance to respond before forwarding allegations to their institutions in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines; (4) Journals/publishers that use AI tools to detect misconduct should screen all relevant submissions and not just random/purposefully selected submissions; and (5) Journals should inform authors about their definition of misconduct, their use of AI tools to detect misconduct, and their policies and procedures for responding to suspected cases of misconduct.https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241254052
spellingShingle Mohammad Hosseini
David B Resnik
Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
Research Ethics Review
title Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
title_full Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
title_fullStr Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
title_full_unstemmed Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
title_short Guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
title_sort guidance needed for using artificial intelligence to screen journal submissions for misconduct
url https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241254052
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