GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICIES FOR AUTHORS

KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence tools, when used responsibly, to help researchers work more efficiently, rapidly access critical insights, and achieve better outcomes.

These tools, including AI agents and deep research tools, are increasingly assisting researchers in synthesizing complex literature, providing an overview of a field or research question, identifying research gaps, generating ideas, and offering specific support for tasks such as content organization, language enhancement, and readability improvement. Authors preparing a manuscript for KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature may use AI tools to support them in these tasks. However, these tools should never replace human critical thinking, expertise, and judgment.

AI tools must always be used under human supervision and control. Ultimately, authors are responsible for the content of their work. This responsibility includes:

- Carefully reviewing and verifying the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and impartiality of all AI-generated outputs (including checking sources, as AI-generated references may be inaccurate or fabricated).

- Rigorously editing and adapting all material to ensure it represents the author's original and authentic contribution and reflects their own analysis, interpretation, insights, and ideas.

- Ensuring that the use of AI-based or other tools or resources is disclosed openly and transparently to readers; we require a declaration statement at the time of submission regarding the use of AI tools.

- Checking the terms and conditions of the AI tools used to ensure that the manuscript draft is developed in a way that protects data privacy, intellectual property, and other rights.

Responsible Use of AI Tools

Authors must check the terms and conditions of any AI tool they use to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of their data and inputs, including unpublished manuscripts. Particular caution should be exercised regarding personally identifiable information. Authors must check for factual errors and potential biases.

Authors should also check the terms and conditions of any AI tool they wish to use and ensure that they are granting the AI tool the right to use their materials solely for the purpose of providing services to them, and that they are not granting the AI tool any other rights to the materials they input (including, without limitation, the right to train the AI tool on these materials). Furthermore, they must ensure that the AI tool does not impose restrictions on the use of outputs derived from the AI tool that might restrict the subsequent publication of the relevant article.

Authors must disclose the AI tools used in the preparation of the manuscript in a separate AI declaration text appended to their article at the time of submission. This declaration will be included in the published article to ensure transparency. Authors must document their use of AI, including the name of the AI tool used, the purpose of its use, and the scope of supervision. Disclosing the use of AI tools promotes transparency and trust among authors, readers, reviewers, editors, and contributors, and facilitates compliance with the terms of use of the relevant AI tool.

⮚ No declaration is required for basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks. However, when an AI tool makes significant changes to sentence structure or the organization of a portion of the text, this must be disclosed.

⮚ Additionally, authors are not required to disclose the use of AI tools or features used in specialized disability-related assistive technologies, provided this use is solely for accessibility purposes.

If AI tools are used as part of the research process rather than for manuscript preparation, this use must be detailed in the Methods section.

Authors are recommended to use the following format in their declarations:

Section title: Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Manuscript Preparation Process

Description: During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used the AI application named [........................] for the purpose of [..............................]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as necessary and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.

Authorship

Authors must not list AI tools as authors or co-authors, nor should they indicate AI tools as authors. Authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans. Each (co-)author is responsible for ensuring that questions regarding the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved, and authorship requires the ability to approve the final version of the work and agree to its submission. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that the work is original and has not been previously published, that the stated authors meet the authorship criteria, and that the work does not infringe upon third-party rights. They must familiarize themselves with KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature's Publishing Ethics policy before submission.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Figures, Images, and Artworks

The use of AI tools to create figures, images, and artworks is permitted only under certain conditions.

Images are generally divided into three categories, and the permitted uses of AI tools differ for each category, as explained below.

(1) Illustrative Images

Illustrative images demonstrate concepts, processes, or relationships (e.g., flowcharts, decision trees, timelines, or schematic conceptual drawings).

Authors may leverage AI tools to support the creation of specific types of illustrative images for publication, such as flowcharts, decision trees, timelines, schematic conceptual drawings, or experimental workflow diagrams.

When AI tools are used for this purpose, the principles of responsible use, human oversight, transparency, disclosure, and authorship as described in the "Authorship" section apply.

The use of AI tools must be disclosed in the caption of each image (including the tool used, version, and manner of use) and in the general AI disclosure section of the article.

(2) Research and Data Images

Research and data images present research data or results. These include: (a) data visualizations generated from underlying datasets through analytical, computational, or statistical workflows (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams, or heat maps), and (b) primary research images representing primary observed or experimental data (e.g., microscopy, histology, western blots, radiology scans, or patient images).

2a) Data Visualizations

Data visualizations present results derived from underlying datasets through analytical, computational, or statistical workflows (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams, or heat maps).

AI tools must not be used to fabricate results, invent or alter underlying data, or generate figures that are not accurately derived from the underlying data and methods used in the research.

AI tools may be used to support the creation of data visualizations only when the visual output is directly derived from the underlying data. Such visualizations must be generated using replicable analytical, computational, or statistical methods, clearly described in the Methods section. When AI tools are used to create data visualizations, authors must specify in the Methods section the name of the model or tool, the version used, and the developer or manufacturer. Authors must comply with the usage policies of the AI tools and provide appropriate attribution where required. Authors may be asked to provide documentation of their AI usage and original, unprocessed images for editorial evaluation.

2b) Primary Research Images

Primary research images represent primary observed or experimental data (such as microscopy, histology, western blots, radiology scans, or patient images).

AI tools must not be used to create or alter images representing primary observed or experimental data that were not directly obtained in the research. This includes adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance, which must only be performed using established image processing software.

Use of AI Tools in Research Methods

This policy does not prohibit the use of AI tools in formal research design or research methods (e.g., AI-assisted imaging approaches used for the collection and/or interpretation of primary research data, or predictive modeling of clinical outcomes based on patient data). When the use of AI tools is part of the research design or research methods, the use of the tools must be described in a reproducible manner in the Methods section. This must include the name of the model or tool, the version used, and, where applicable, the developer or manufacturer. Authors must comply with the usage policies of the tools and provide appropriate attribution where required.

(3) Graphical Abstracts and Cover Art

Graphical abstracts and cover images are created to visually summarize or represent the article, rather than being part of the scientific content of the article.

General-purpose generative AI image tools must not be used to create graphical abstracts. Graphical abstracts are generally complex visual summaries that combine multiple graphical elements, icons, and design components.

Authors are encouraged to use specialized scientific visualization tools when preparing graphical abstracts. Specialized visualization tools offer well-defined licensing terms that support the responsible use of copyright and intellectual property.

Authors must obtain prior permission from the journal editor and publisher before submitting AI-generated cover designs. Authors must also demonstrate that all necessary permissions have been obtained for all third-party materials used and ensure that appropriate content attribution is provided.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and originality of all images submitted for publication. This includes verifying that the concepts presented are correct and that all images reflect the author's own work and ideas. If images are based on existing artworks or graphics, appropriate attribution must be provided, and permission must be obtained from the relevant rights holder prior to submission. Images that copy or refer to existing copyrighted visuals, real persons, or identifiable products or brands of others must not be created; additionally, any image resembling an individual's voice should not be used.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Journal Peer Review Process

Peer review is at the heart of the scientific ecosystem, and KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature maintains the highest standards of integrity in this process (see Duties of Reviewers). When a researcher is invited to review another researcher's manuscript, this document must be treated as a confidential document.

Reviewers must not upload the submitted manuscript or any part thereof into an AI tool, as this may violate the authors' confidentiality and proprietary rights and, if the manuscript contains personally identifiable information, may also violate data privacy rights.

Reviewers are responsible for the scientific evaluation and judgment of the manuscripts they assess. AI tools cannot replace reviewers' critical thinking or independent evaluation abilities, as there is a risk of technology producing inaccurate, incomplete, or biased results. Reviewers are fully responsible and accountable for the content of their evaluation reports.

AI tools may only be used in a supportive capacity—for example, to improve the language and structure of a review report or to assist with background literature searches—provided confidentiality is maintained and human control and oversight are ensured.

Furthermore, reviewers may only use specialized AI tools in the review process as described below:

⮚ Reviewers must disclose the use of AI in their evaluation reports, including the tool used and the purpose of its use. Basic checks for spelling and grammar need not be disclosed.

Recommended disclosure statement:

During the preparation of this report, I used the AI application named [.........................] for the purpose of [..............................]. After using this tool/service, I reviewed and edited the content as necessary and take full responsibility for the content.

What is a Specialized AI Tool?

A "specialized" AI tool is a version of an AI tool that does not store, reuse, or share the content submitted to it. This means that when any content is pasted or uploaded into the tool, that content is not stored beyond what is necessary to provide the service, is not used to train or improve the AI model, and is not shared with any third party.

Before using any AI tool, the following must be verified:

⮚ The privacy policy and terms of service must be read. Particular attention should be paid to statements regarding data retention and model training. A specialized tool explicitly states that user inputs are not stored beyond what is necessary to provide the service and are not used for training. Additionally, users must ensure that the tool they use provides the necessary rights for publication.

⮚ Paid or enterprise versions should be preferred over free tools. Many AI tools that are free to use are not confidential by default. It is recommended to check whether the reviewer's institution offers an enterprise version or a locally hosted model of a tool. Enterprise versions or locally hosted models are more likely to include privacy protection, but this is not guaranteed and must still be verified.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) USE DECLARATION FORM

(This form must be completed for submissions to KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools.)

1. MANUSCRIPT INFORMATION

2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) USAGE STATUS

Please indicate the usage status of artificial intelligence tools in the design, preparation, writing, or verification processes of your manuscript.

☐ No, artificial intelligence (AI) tools were not used.

☐ Yes, artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used (detailed below).

3. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USAGE DETAILS

Please indicate in which stages and areas you used artificial intelligence.

3.1. Idea Development and Design

☐ Formulation of the research question

☐ Hypothesis development

☐ Conceptual framework suggestions

3.2. Literature Review

☐ Creating literature search strategies

☐ Source summarization

☐ Literature classification / thematic grouping

☐ Originality of sources suggested by AI has been verified by the author.

☐ Yes  ☐ No

3.3. Methods and Data Process

☐ Method suggestions

☐ Data analysis code draft

☐ Statistical interpretation draft

☐ Simulation / modeling support

☐ All analyses used have been checked and verified by the author.

☐ Yes  ☐ No

3.4. Text Writing and Editing

☐ Draft text creation

☐ Grammar and style editing

☐ Academic language improvement

☐ Abstract / Summary writing

☐ Texts generated by AI have been reviewed by the author and responsibility has been assumed.

☐ Yes  ☐ No

3.5. Translation

☐ Entire manuscript

☐ Specific sections (please specify: ........................................)

3.6. Visuals and Table Generation

☐ Graph creation

☐ Figure draft

☐ Data visualization

☐ Image generation

3.7. Bibliography Organization

☐ Bibliography organization / formatting

3.8. Other Uses

☐ Other (please specify: .........................................................)

4. ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBILITY DECLARATION

I confirm all of the following statements:

- AI tools have been used only for supportive purposes.

- The scientific content, accuracy, originality, and ethical responsibility of the work belong entirely to the author(s).

- AI has not been listed as an author or co-author.

- The support received from AI tools has been disclosed in accordance with ethical rules and citation principles.

- I confirm that I have verified the accuracy of the information provided by AI tools and accept full responsibility for any incorrect or incomplete information.

- I accept the academic and legal consequences that may arise if any statement contrary to this declaration is detected at any time.

☐ I Confirm

5. EXPLANATIONS (If Any)

Please specify any additional explanations regarding your AI usage.

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6. AUTHOR APPROVAL

The author(s) whose signatures appear below confirm that they have prepared the manuscript in accordance with KSÜ Journal of Agriculture and Nature's Artificial Intelligence Policy and Principles, in compliance with publishing principles and scientific research ethics.

Note: Each page of the form must be signed or initialed.

USER MANUAL

1. Manuscript Information: Complete the bibliographic information of your work in full.

2. Usage Status: Select the first option if you did not use AI, and the second option if you did.

3. Details: Mark the areas of use and answer the required verification checkboxes ("Yes" or "No").

4. Tools: Indicate which AI tools you used.

5. Declaration: Check the "I Confirm" box to accept all responsibility statements.

6. Additional Explanation if Any: Use the explanation field if you wish to provide additional information about your usage.

7. Signature: Complete the form with signatures from all authors.