The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools have made a significant impact on the undergraduate academic landscape, and is a particular risk to the quality and integrity of undergraduate research. On this page, you can find the UBC Journal of Political Studies’ policies on AI usage for editors and prospective authors alike. The JPS strives to uphold honesty, integrity, and originality in the undergraduate works it presents.
AI Policy for Authors
Purpose
The UBC Journal of Political Studies is committed to publishing original undergraduate scholarship. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming increasingly common in academic work, the Journal’s primary objective is to showcase students’ own research, writing, and critical thinking. This policy establishes expectations for the appropriate use and disclosure of AI in submitted work, and may be updated as AI technologies evolve.
Author Guidelines
Authors are responsible for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of all submitted work.
Permitted Uses
Authors may use AI tools for limited editorial or accessibility purposes, including:
- Grammar, spelling, and language editing;
- Formatting assistance;
- Transcription or translation support; and
- Other comparable technical or accessibility-related tasks.
Prohibited Uses
AI tools may not be used to generate or substantially develop the intellectual content of a submission. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Research questions;
- Ideas or hypotheses;
- Arguments;
- Analysis or interpretation;
- Literature selection or synthesis;
- Citations or references;
- Original written content;
- Figures, statistics, or other evidence that cannot be verified through existing, citable sources.
AI systems do not qualify as authors and should not be credited as such.
Disclosure
Authors must include an AI Use Statement immediately following the title page indicating whether AI tools were used in preparing the paper. If AI tools were used, the statement must briefly describe:
- The tool(s) used
- The purpose for which the AI tools were used
- Confirmation that all intellectual content remains the author’s own work
If no AI tools were used, authors should state: “No AI tools were used in the preparation of this paper.”
Failure to accurately disclose AI use may result in rejection of the submission or withdrawal from consideration.
AI Policy for Editors
Purpose
Editors play a central role in maintaining the integrity, fairness, and quality of the UBC Journal of Political Studies. Because the Journal seeks to foster thoughtful editorial engagement between students and authors, editorial feedback and publication decisions should reflect the editorial board’s independent judgement and critical thinking. This policy establishes the expectations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by editors.
Policy
Editors must not use AI tools at any stage of the editorial process. This includes using AI to:
- Evaluate or assess submissions;
- Summarize papers;
- Generate, revise, or expand editorial feedback;
- Edit or make recommendations on authors’ work.
All editorial comments, suggestions, and publication decisions must be the original work of the editors.
Confidentiality
Submitted papers, editorial comments, reviewer feedback, and all other unpublished materials are confidential. Editors must not upload, paste, or otherwise disclose any confidential documents to generative AI tools or third parties. Maintaining the confidentiality of authors’ unpublished work is a fundamental responsibility of all members of the Journal.
Responsibility
Editors are responsible for adhering to this policy throughout the editorial process. Questions regarding the application of this policy should be directed to the Editors-in-Chief before using any AI tool in relation to editorial work.