Editorial Policy

Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Preparation of Scientific Articles

The Editorial Board of the academic journal supports the position of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding authorship and AI tools. According to this position, authors bear full responsibility for the content of their manuscript, including any parts created using AI tools, and are therefore responsible for any violations of publication ethics. Authors must not list AI as an author (or co-author) and must not cite AI as an author. The use of AI for the complete generation of text, methods, or results is prohibited. Authors remain responsible for originality, accuracy, compliance with research ethics, avoidance of plagiarism, and protection against bias caused by AI technologies (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/cope-position/authorship-and-ai-tools).

Permissible Use of AI in the Preparation of Publications and Disclosure Requirements

AI tools may be used for data collection and summarization, grammar checking, translation, and manuscript editing in order to improve the presentation of concepts, the style of the textual part of the research, as well as for working with references or formatting illustrative materials and appendices to the article.

A mandatory condition for such use of AI is proper disclosure within the scientific article, including: the name of the AI application, its developer, the version of the tool used, the purpose of its use, and confirmation that all AI-generated results were personally verified by the authors, who bear full responsibility for the article under their authorship.

Information about the use of AI technology for grammar checking, translation, text editing, working with references, or formatting illustrative materials and appendices must be indicated by the author in the “Acknowledgements” section. If AI was used for data collection or summarization, the corresponding statement must be placed in the “Research Methods” section.

Impermissible Use of AI in the Preparation of Publications

According to Article 29 of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity” of 18 December 2025 No. 4742-IX, dishonest use of results generated by artificial intelligence means publishing texts, images, models, data, or other results generated by AI as the results of one’s own academic activity if this fact is not disclosed in the academic work or its accompanying materials.

Sanctions for dishonest use of AI-generated results are determined by internal regulations unless otherwise provided by law. In particular, the Editorial Board of the academic journal reserves the right to refuse publication of a manuscript if the use of AI tools or technologies during the research or preparation of the scientific publication has not been properly disclosed.

 

Policy and Procedure for the Retraction of Published Articles

The Editorial Board of the academic journal considers violations of legislation, breaches of academic integrity, or violations of publication ethics committed by the author (or co-authors) in the content or form of a scientific publication as grounds for the retraction of an article.

The Editorial Board of the journal follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding the practice of retracting scientific articles in the following cases:

  • if the results have previously been published elsewhere without appropriate cross-referencing, permission, or justification;
  • if the article contains plagiarism or unreliable or falsified data;
  • if serious errors are identified in the research or the results of the study are incorrectly interpreted;
  • if a conflict of interest has been concealed;
  • if unethical research has been reported;
  • if individuals who do not meet the authorship criteria are included among the authors of the article, or if persons who performed a significant part of the research comparable to that of the listed co-authors are not included;
  • in other proven cases of violations of academic integrity and publication ethics incompatible with the standards of COPE and the principles governing the activities of the Editorial Board of the academic journal.

The decision to retract a published article is made following the review of a complaint submitted by interested parties in accordance with the Procedure for Considering Complaints Regarding Violations of Academic Integrity and Publication Ethics specified on this website, provided that the complaint is recognized as substantiated.

A decision to retract a published article may also be made by a majority vote of the Editorial Board members if proven violations of current legislation, academic integrity, or publication ethics incompatible with the standards of COPE and the principles governing the activities of the Editorial Board of the academic journal are identified, as well as if the published article contains errors or inaccuracies that negate the scientific value of the research.

An author (or co-author) of an article subject to retraction has the right to be informed of the grounds for the decision; to provide written explanations; to be present during oral hearings (if such hearings are conducted); and to appeal the decision.

The Editorial Board informs the scientific institution (organization) where the research was conducted about the fact of the article’s retraction.

A notice of the article’s retraction is also published in the next issue of the journal and on the journal’s website.

 

Policy on Obtaining Ethical Approval for Research Involving Humans, Animals, or Their Biological Materials

The editorial board of the scientific journal "History and Law Journal" adheres to the principles of academic integrity, research ethics, and compliance with international standards of scientific publishing. Research submitted for publication in the journal must comply with ethical and legal requirements, particularly when the study involves human participants, animals, their biological materials, personal data, or other sensitive information.

If a research study involves human participants (for example, interviews, surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, case studies, or analysis of personal data), the authors must ensure that the research was conducted in accordance with applicable ethical standards and legislation. In such cases, authors must obtain approval from the relevant ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB), where required by institutional or national regulations. Information about the obtained ethical approval should be indicated in the manuscript.

Authors must confirm that participation of individuals in the research was voluntary and based on informed consent. Personal data of participants must be processed and published in compliance with applicable data protection legislation and with respect for confidentiality and privacy.

If the research involves animals or their biological materials, the authors must confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards and applicable national legislation regulating the humane treatment of animals used for scientific purposes. Where required, authors must provide information on approval obtained from the appropriate ethics committee.

If the research does not involve direct interaction with humans or animals but includes the analysis of personal, confidential, or sensitive data (for example, court decisions containing personal information, case materials, or other documents), the authors must ensure that the data are used lawfully and that the anonymity and rights of individuals are protected.

When submitting a manuscript to the journal, authors must indicate whether the research required ethical approval and confirm that all relevant ethical requirements have been met. If ethical approval was obtained, the manuscript should include the name of the approving body and, where applicable, the approval number or date.

The editorial board reserves the right to request additional information or documentation confirming compliance with ethical standards. Manuscripts that do not comply with ethical requirements or violate the rights and dignity of individuals, animals, or organizations will not be accepted for publication.