Editorial Policies

Generative AI in Scientific Writing

In-house editorial use of generative AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used in-house to assist with idea generation, subject research and content structuring. Where AI-assisted tools support our creative process, all content is edited, fact-checked and approved by our editorial team to ensure it meets Technology Networks’ quality standards and adheres to brand style guidelines before it is published.

In instances where AI-assisted tools have been used to generate text, the following disclaimer will be included to ensure transparency to our readers.

This content includes text that has been generated with the assistance of AI. Technology Networks’ AI policy can be found here.

Contributed content

Requirements for publication. Any use of AI must not breach journalistic ethics and plagiarism will not be tolerated – Technology Networks’ editorial team runs all contributed content through trusted plagiarism detection software as part of the publication’s standard review process. Content submitted to Technology Networks must be the author’s own, and not present others’ data, words, or imagery without seeking permission (if applicable) and providing appropriate citation.

The use of AI must be declared and clearly explained. Writers who use AI or AI-assisted tools during the writing process must disclose their use upon submission of the draft to Technology Networks.

In instances where AI-assisted tools have been used to generate text, the following disclaimer will be included to ensure transparency to our readers.

This content includes text that has been generated with the assistance of AI. Technology Networks’ AI policy can be found here.

Generative AI images

Technology Networks follows existing copyright law and best practices regarding the publication of imagery. As the situation relating to AI-generated images and videos remains broadly unresolved, we do not permit the use of AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images.

Evolving AI strategies

Technology Networks appreciates that this area is changing rapidly. As such, it will monitor developments related to the use of generative AI in publishing and will review and adapt its policy should it be appropriate to do so.

We are committed to maintaining high journalistic standards and encourage our readers to share their feedback on our use of AI, via our Contact Us page.

Global Health Crises and Preprints

To enable researchers to disseminate their findings quickly to the wider scientific community during global health crises there may be a considerable increase in the number of preprints referenced on Technology Networks' website. In these instances, for transparency, the following disclaimer will be included:

This article is based on research findings that are yet to be peer-reviewed. Results are therefore regarded as preliminary and should be interpreted as such. Find out about the role of the peer review process in research here. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Should you dispute any of the findings and wish to offer your opinion to our readers, please use the Contact Us form citing the piece in question.

Press Release Republishing

Technology Networks republishes press releases that fall within the scope of its scientific communities and provide value to its readers and the wider scientific community.

Press release sourcing

Technology Networks utilizes established, reputable news release distribution services (e.g., EurekAlert, Scimex) for journalists and public information officers to source press releases.

Technology Networks has established strong relationships with press and media contacts, at leading universities and research institutes. This network ensures Technology Networks’ in-house editorial team has access to the latest and most newsworthy press releases, helping keep the publication at the forefront of scientific news and developments.

Press releases that are submitted directly via our Contact Us page, will be reviewed by the editorial team to determine their suitability for publication.

In-house review process

The selection of press releases featured within the “News” section of the website is at the discretion of the publication’s editorial team. Technology Networks’ review process involves the following steps:

1. Each press release undergoes an initial review by an editor to ensure it aligns with Technology Networks' coverage and meets the necessary publication criteria.
2. If there is any uncertainty regarding whether the press release meets publication requirements, it is escalated to a Senior Editor for further review.

Requirements for publication

All press releases must meet the following criteria:

Attribution and reader transparency – The source of the press release must be easily identifiable, and a link to the original press release must be provided to allow Technology Networks to attribute it correctly.

Objective tone – Press releases must be unbiased and should avoid first-person/direct address (i.e., “you”, “I”, “we”, etc.) unless used within a direct quotation from an interviewee who is appropriately positioned to comment on the details of the story.

Newsworthy, timely and relevant – Technology Networks republishes press releases that focus on the latest research, product developments/launches and scientific business news.

Examples include:

• Research carried out by academic institutions and leading research organizations that aligns with Technology Networks’ communities.
• Industry events (e.g., trade shows, conferences, etc.)
• Awards/prizes or industry recognition (e.g., Nobel Prize, Breakthrough Prize, society awards)
• Major milestones in science and medicine
• Biopharma and pharma developments (e.g., regulatory approvals/recalls, pre/clinical progress)

Language, spelling and grammar – Press releases are republished in both UK and US English. While Technology Networks produces all original website content in US English, press release copy originally written in UK English will not be edited to conform to our in-house style. In-house style changes are only applied to the press release headline and summary text featured on the news listing page.

Precise and factual – We operate under the assumption that the information contained in a press release is both legally and factually accurate, having undergone review before publication. Technology Networks does not conduct extensive fact-checking of press releases prior to their republishing. Nonetheless, we are committed to making necessary edits and record any changes made retrospectively, as per our corrections policy.

Original source attribution

Technology Networks clearly attributes the original source of each press release at the start of the republished press release by displaying the following text “Original story from [original source]”. This attribution is linked to the source’s homepage.

The following disclaimer is included at the end of the republished release.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release republishing policy can be accessed here.

The original press release is linked to “following materials”, to enable readers to access the original location of the press release, should they wish to. Technology Networks’ press release republishing policy is also linked to allow readers to navigate to this page, should they require more information.

If the press release pertains to a research paper, this will be referenced at the end of the release, to allow readers to access it via the journal’s website. If a preprint is referenced in the press release, the following disclaimer will be included:

This article is based on research findings that are yet to be peer-reviewed. Results are therefore regarded as preliminary and should be interpreted as such. Find out about the role of the peer review process in research here. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Story headline and imagery

To maintain consistency with its in-house style and adhere to the publication’s best practice guidance, Technology Networks customizes the headlines of republished press releases.

Technology Networks ensures that it has the necessary permissions to use any related imagery accompanying press releases and will credit accordingly. If there's any uncertainty regarding image rights, Technology Networks will source an alternative image that aligns with the theme of the press release. At present, Technology Networks does not accept AI-generated images.

Corrections

We strive to be as accurate as possible, however, errors sometimes happen. If you notice an error on the Technology Networks website, it can be reported using the Contact Us form. Select "Editorial" from the "Departments" dropdown and use the subject line "Error in piece". Within the enquiry box, please provide a link to the piece, what it currently says and the correction you believe is required. We aim to review all corrections within 48 hours. You will be contacted by one of the editorial team with the outcome of the submission. Corrections are made at the discretion of Technology Networks' editors.

Please note, no onsite addendums will be made to the piece for minor corrections.

Comments

We aim to stimulate discussion so welcome comments on all our content. All we ask is for you to be respectful and adhere to the rules below.

1. Comments posted on Technology Networks' website, Facebook pages, Twitter feed, or Instagram account will be moderated by a member of the Technology Networks social media or editorial team soon after they appear on those sites.

2. Comments posted on Technology Networks' website, Facebook pages, Twitter feed, or Instagram account are not pre-moderated, automatically deleted, or censored. However, after evaluation by a moderator, comments will be removed from these sites immediately if they:

   • are abusive

   • are libellous

   • attack the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself

   • promote hate

   • contain excessive profanity

   • contain spam, including irrelevant links to commercial websites

   • are off topic

3. Technology Networks reserves the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments.

4. Comments will not be removed by anyone other than members of the social media or editorial teams of Technology Networks. Comments flagged by users will be reviewed by a member of these teams. Final decision to remove flagged comments will be made by Technology Networks.

5. Technology Networks has the right to block any individual or group, preventing them from commenting on our website or social media pages.

6. All comments posted to Technology Networks' website, Facebook pages, Twitter feed, or Instagram account are the responsibility of the commenter, not Technology Networks, site administrator, contributor, editor, or author. By submitting a comment on our sites, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold www.technologynetworks.com and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.

7. Technology Networks considers comments to be part of the public record and as such will only remove or edit a comment if its content is judged to merit removal based on the criteria outlined above.

Ownership/Funding Statement

Technology Networks is a UK-based online publication for researchers, industry professionals and anyone interested in science. Our online communities provide focused coverage of analytical chemistry, life sciences, drug discovery, and neuroscience. Technology Networks is owned by LabX Media Group (LMG), a leading worldwide science publishing company that delivers meaningful industry content and integrated marketing solutions for the scientific community. LMG's brands and product solutions deliver trusted, timely, and in-depth information across print and digital products to empower our customers and advance their research. LMG is headquartered in Midland, Ontario, Canada and employs more than 135 staff across Canada, the United States, and the UK.

Funding for Technology Networks comes from the sale of advertising on our website. Other revenue sources include custom publishing projects such as sponsored webinars, videos, infographics, posters, eBooks, and whitepapers, handled by our Custom Content Creation team.