RESEARCH INTEGRITY IN THE AGE OF AI: POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND CHALLENGES

This editorial addresses the evolving ethical challenges in scholarly publishing, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI), plagiarism, self-plagiarism, excessive self-citation, data fabrication, multiple submissions, and authorship practices. While AI can enhance research communication by refining language and improving efficiency, its misuse can affect transparency and accountability. Traditional threats, such as plagiarism, redundant publication, and citation manipulation, continue to weaken the credibility of research, while new risks are emerging from AI-generated content and fabricated findings. Drawing on guidance from COPE and major publishers, including Elsevier and Springer Nature, this article underscores the need for clear policies, transparent disclosure, and rigorous editorial review. It argues that research integrity depends on the shared responsibility of authors and editors, supported by both technological tools and critical human judgment. Preserving the credibility of scholarship requires not only firm measures against misconduct but also reinforcement of the core principles of integrity, transparency, validity, and accountability.