Karger AI Guidelines
Last updated: March 30, 2026
Check AI policies for below classifications
Refinement, correction, editing or formatting the manuscript to improve clarity of language
Policy Summary
Karger permits authors to use generative AI/LLM tools when preparing a manuscript, including for language refinement. If such a tool has been used as part of a study or manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript (in the Methods section, or in the Acknowledgements section when the article type does not include a Methods section) and cited in line with Karger’s software citation policy. Authors must guarantee the accuracy and originality of the manuscript and must include details on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
Karger permits authors to use large language models or other generative AI tools when preparing a study or manuscript, but this use must be declared in the manuscript. The declaration must appear in the Methods section, or in the Acknowledgements section if the article type does not include a Methods section, and the tool must be cited in line with Karger’s software citation policy. Authors must guarantee the accuracy and originality of the manuscript’s content and must describe how the accuracy of any generative AI output was verified.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
Karger requires that if an LLM or other generative AI-based tool has been used as part of a study or manuscript, including for translation purposes, this use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's Methods or Acknowledgements section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of their manuscript content, including any AI-generated translations, and the manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any AI output was verified.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Karger permits authors to use generative AI/LLM tools as part of a study or manuscript, but such use must be clearly declared in the manuscript. Authors must provide details on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified and remain responsible for the accuracy and originality of the manuscript content. The policy does not otherwise provide separate, classification-specific rules addressing the refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
If authors use a Large Language Model or other generative AI-based tool, including image creators, as part of a study or manuscript, they must clearly declare that use in the manuscript's Methods or Acknowledgements section. Authors must include details on how they verified the accuracy of any generative AI-based output. Authors remain responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of their manuscript content.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
Karger permits the use of LLMs or other generative AI-based tools in connection with a study or manuscript, including for figures and images. If such tools are used, this use must be clearly declared in the manuscript’s “Methods or Acknowledgements” section, including details on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified. Authors must guarantee the accuracy and originality of their manuscript content.
Evidence
- ## The use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in scientific writing for journals and books (including figures and images) If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript’s “Methods or Acknowledgements” section. Use must be clearly declared in the manuscript including details on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
Karger requires that any use of a Large Language Model or other generative AI-based tool be declared in the manuscript and cited in line with its software citation policy. Any software used must be cited in the References. Authors must ensure the manuscript's accuracy and originality, and the manuscript must include details describing how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Evidence
- Any software used must be cited in the References, in line with our software citation policy. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified. Use of a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tools must be declared in the manuscript and cited in line with our software citation policy.
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
Karger permits the use of LLMs or other generative AI-based tools in connection with a study or manuscript, but such use must be clearly declared in the manuscript (in Methods, or in Acknowledgements when the article type does not include a Methods section). Any software used must be cited in the References, and LLM/generative AI tool use must be cited in line with Karger’s software citation policy. The policy does not specify additional requirements that are specific to using these tools for gathering references beyond these declaration and citation obligations.
Evidence
- If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or a manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript's 'Methods or Acknowledgements' section. Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
Source
AI Status
Presentation of any kind of content generated by AI tools as though it were original research data/results from non-machine sources
Policy Summary
Karger requires authors to guarantee the accuracy and originality of their manuscript content. If a generative AI tool is used as part of a study or manuscript, this use must be clearly declared. Presenting AI-generated content as original research data or results — without declaration, or in a manner that misrepresents what is original versus what is AI-generated — directly violates the publisher's requirements for originality and would constitute research misconduct.
Evidence
- Authors are responsible for guaranteeing the accuracy and originality of the content of their manuscript. If a Large Language Model (LLM), or other generative AI-based tool (e.g. chatbots or image creators), has been used as part of a study or manuscript, the use must be clearly declared in the manuscript Methods, or Acknowledgements section. The manuscript must include detail on how the accuracy of any generative AI-based output was verified.
