Policies

Use of AI in Writing

The use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process should only be used to improve readability and language of the work and not to replace key researcher tasks such as producing scientific insights, analysing and interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions. As AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased, authors should carefully review and edit the outputs. The authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of the work.

Authors should disclose in their manuscript the use of AI and other technologies and a statement will appear in the published work. Declaring the use of these technologies supports transparency and trust between authors, readers, reviewers, editors and contributors and facilitates compliance with the terms of use of the relevant tool or technology.

Review Policy

If a manuscript is rejected, a copy is retained in AJCN’s manuscript handling system for internal recordkeeping; the confidentiality of the files and associated records will be maintained unless requested otherwise by the authors or in exceptional circumstances involving suspected misconduct.

Reviewers must not use any information contained in the manuscript for their own work, nor should they contact the authors directly. Reviewers should keep their reviews confidential, even if the manuscript is later published. Comments should be constructive and professional, and reviewers should not state in the comments to the author whether the manuscript should be published. If a review does not meet these objectives, the editor may edit the reviewer's comments or may in extreme cases omit the comments from the decision letter.

Authors should not publicize reviews received from AJCN; Additionally, if the manuscript is rejected by AJCN, authors should not include the reviews in submissions to other journals.

Conflict of Interest Policy

A COI may exist when financial or personal relationships with other persons or organisations may inappropriately influence or bias actions. There is a potential for a COI whether an individual believes that a relationship affects his or her scientific judgment. COIs can occur as the result of financial relationships, personal and family relationships, or academic competitive pressures. All authors and reviewers are required to disclose COI in relation to the manuscript.

Correction Policy

AJCN will publish errata to correct important errors in published articles. The corresponding author of the article being corrected will be asked to verify and approve the wording of the erratum. Page charges are never levied for errata.

Misconduct Handling Policy

AJCN will make all reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record. Any reports of potential misconduct submitted to the journal should include as much detailed information as possible to assist the editors in their investigation. AJCN will first contact the author(s) to request an explanation concerning an allegation or suspicion of misconduct. In exceptional circumstances, the editors may reach the conclusion that, in order to investigate possible misconduct, manuscript or review records must be shared confidentially with, for example, another journal office or with an author’s institution.

When authors are unable to provide an explanation that the journal deems satisfactory, they are subject to editorial action including but not limited to contact with relevant institutions and/or regulatory bodies to disclose violations and/or request an investigation and/or publication of an editorial, editorial expression of concern, and/or retraction.

Regardless of the editors’ efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to misconduct, authors remain ultimately responsible for the validity of their work and publications.