Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in Scientific Research

Scope

This policy applies to all submissions to the Tobruk University Journal of Medical Sciences (TUJMS), including original research articles, reviews, case reports, editorials, and supplementary materials.

Principles

TUJMS recognises that artificial intelligence (AI) tools may support aspects of scholarly communication. Their use must be transparent, limited, and under full human control, and must not compromise scientific integrity, accountability, or the reliability of the scholarly record.

This policy is informed by guidance from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), reflecting internationally recognised standards in scholarly publishing.

Permitted Use

AI tools (e.g. large language models, grammar or translation software) may be used only as supportive aids, including for:

  • Language editing, grammar correction, or translation
  • Formatting assistance and reference organisation
  • Code assistance or computational support, provided that all outputs are reviewed, verified, and controlled by the authors

AI tools must not replace authors’ scholarly judgement or independent intellectual contribution.

Prohibited Use

AI tools must not be used to:

  • Generate or fabricate research data, results, or images
  • Perform scientific analysis or interpret findings without human verification
  • Draft substantive scientific content that determines study design, results, or conclusions without human oversight
  • Produce clinical, diagnostic, or policy recommendations
  • Create undisclosed AI-generated text, figures, or visual material

Such uses constitute breaches of publication ethics.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose all use of AI tools that contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.

Disclosures must specify:

  • The name of the AI tool(s) used
  • The purpose for which each tool was used

Disclosure should appear:

  • In the Methods section when AI contributed to data processing, analysis, code, or figures; or
  • In a dedicated AI Use or Acknowledgements statement when limited to writing or language support

AI-assisted content must remain limited and must not constitute a substantial proportion of the manuscript.

Authorship and Accountability

AI tools cannot be credited as authors and do not meet authorship criteria.

All listed authors retain full responsibility for:

  • The accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript
  • Verification of AI-assisted outputs, including references, quotations, and factual claims
  • Compliance with ethical and publication standards

Misuse of AI that results in plagiarism, fabrication, image manipulation, or misrepresentation may lead to rejection, correction, or retraction, in accordance with TUJMS publication ethics policies.

Editorial Assessment

Manuscripts may be assessed using similarity and AI-detection tools. As automated systems have known limitations, editorial decisions are based on informed human evaluation and contextual judgement.

Undisclosed, excessive, or inappropriate AI use may result in editorial action in line with TUJMS publication ethics policies.

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed periodically to reflect advances in AI technology and evolving international best practice in scholarly publishing.