The publishing industry and research communities are facing significant integrity threats, including paper mills, authorship-for-sale schemes, peer review manipulation, and the misuse of AI-generated content. These issues pose serious risks, potentially flooding the published record with unreliable content, undermining trust in the peer review process, and eroding public confidence in scientific research.
To tackle these challenges, organizations like PLOS and other publishers are implementing multi-faceted strategies aimed at detecting and addressing large-scale integrity issues. Collaborative efforts, such as the United2Act initiative and the STM Integrity Hub project, alongside internal publisher efforts, are key components of this approach. A vital aspect of these strategies is the establishment of robust policies that empower editors to respond decisively to integrity concerns related to paper mills, peer review integrity, authorship manipulation, and the ethical use of AI-generated content.
PLOS has been proactive in enhancing its policies as part of its integrity initiatives. The organization has introduced several new policies over the past two years, aimed at fostering a culture of integrity in scholarly publishing:
• Manipulation of the Publication Process Policy: This policy addresses large-scale integrity issues, guiding editors on practices to avoid while allowing PLOS to reject or retract content suspected of manipulation. It also emphasizes confidentiality to protect the integrity of the publication process.
• AI Tools & Technology Policy: PLOS mandates transparent disclosure of AI tool usage, differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable practices. The policy outlines potential actions, including rejection or retraction, in cases of non-compliance.
• Ethical Peer Review Policy: This policy sets ethical standards for editors and reviewers, clarifying PLOS's stance on AI usage in peer review and the actions that may be taken in response to integrity concerns.
• Standards for Professional Conduct Policy: This policy assists PLOS in addressing instances of unprofessional behavior towards staff and contributors.
When crafting these policies, PLOS ensures alignment with its mission and values, remaining committed to fostering progress and innovation in research and scholarly communication. The development of AI policies, in particular, reflects a thoughtful consideration of both the risks posed by generative AI tools and their potential to enhance knowledge discovery and facilitate scholarly communication.
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