Publications Policies

Introduction

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) adheres to the highest standards of quality, originality, and trustworthiness in its publications and digital resources. MTNA authors are expected to engage in ethical practices when conducting research, reporting on research, drafting manuscripts, and submitting articles for publication in any of MTNA’s print and digital outlets, and this includes the ethical use and/or disclosure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. Therefore, in addition to adhering to MTNA’s policy on plagiarism, all submitted manuscripts to MTNA’s publications and digital outlets must comply with the following policy on Artificial Intelligence and Authorship.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all submitted, accepted, and published articles, abstracts, and posters in any MTNA publication or venue, including but not limited to:

• American Music Teacher
• MTNA eJournal
• MTNA Business Digest
• mtna.org and affiliated websites

Criteria for Authorship

Anyone listed as an author on an MTNA publication or webpage must meet the following criteria:

• They are an identifiable human being.
• They have made substantial intellectual contributions to the original work described in the submission. “Substantial intellectual contributions” is defined as follows:

• Contributing to the conception or design of the work or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
• Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content.

• They take full responsibility for all content in the published works.

In addition, all people listed as authors on an MTNA publication certify that:

• They are aware the manuscript has been submitted for publication to MTNA.
• They agree to be held responsible and accountable for any issues relating to the correctness or integrity of the work and compliance with all related MTNA Publications Policies.
• The work submitted is original, that the listed authors are the creators of the work, and that the submission is an honest representation of their research, opinions, or otherwise.

Any contributors whose participation does not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged but not listed as an author.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of Generative AI Tools

Generative AI tools and technologies, such as ChatGPT, may not be listed as authors of an MTNA-published work. These tools cannot take accountability for such work, as stipulated above in “Criteria for Authorship,” and therefore cannot be credited with authorship.

Acceptable Use of AI Tools in Submitted Works (with Proper Disclosure)

MTNA authors may use AI tools to assist in the creation of content or research if it falls under the following acceptable activities AND is properly disclosed (See “Proper Disclosure of AI Use” for guidance).

• Brainstorming or refining ideas
• Drafting an outline to organize thoughts
• Checking basic grammar and style
• Producing short text generation if properly cited, following the Chicago Manual of Style
• Creating images, if it makes sense in the context of the article and with proper citation.

Unacceptable Use of AI Tools in Submitted Works (Regardless of Disclosure)

MTNA authors may not use AI tools in any of the following ways, regardless of citation or disclosure:

• Writing entire paragraphs or sections of the submission
• Analyzing pieces from a theoretical, historical, or pedagogical standpoint
• Generating core ideas, arguments, or text
• Falsifying or altering research data
• Using AI as a replacement for critical or analytical thinking

Proper Disclosure of AI Use

If an MTNA author engages in Acceptable Use of AI Tools, as stipulated above (“Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of Generative AI Tools”), they must disclose such usage either in the body of the work or in the acknowledgments, depending on context.

If AI is used generally for brainstorming, outlining, or grammar review, MTNA authors must include a disclosure in the Acknowledgements Section of their submission that lists:

• The specific tool or tools used (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini Advanced)
• A short description of how it was used (e.g. grammar check, outlining, image generation)
• A statement explaining how the output was used responsibly (e.g. “All content was reviewed and validated for accuracy by the author.”)

Example disclosure statement:

In the preparation of this manuscript, ChatGPT-4 (OpenAI) was used to refine sentence structure and ensure grammatical correctness. All content was reviewed and validated for accuracy by the author.

If an author reproduces short text generated by AI in their work, following the Acceptable Use of AI, above, a formal citation is required. MTNA follows the Chicago Manual of Style for citation (specifically the Author-Date style). Guidelines can be found at chicagomanualofstyle.org or https://www.grammarly.com/blog/citations/ai-citations-chicago/

Ensuring Compliance

Authors suspected of using AI in a manner not in compliance with this policy, or not properly crediting authors, may be given the opportunity to revise and resubmit the work, at the discretion of MTNA’s director of publications and digital content (also “managing editor”), in accordance with the CEO (also “publisher”) and/or editorial chair, if applicable.  The director of publications and digital content reserves the right to reject manuscripts and other submissions that, in the director’s editorial judgment, do not meet the standards of this policy, regardless of an author’s stated process or intent.

Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:

1. Using concepts, ideas, text, charts, graphics or other works that were created by others without properly acknowledging the author who actually created the work.
2. Copying verbatim, or nearly verbatim the work of another person or persons without citation.
3. Paraphrasing without crediting the source.
4. Not using quotation marks or indented paragraphs to indicate quoted material even if it is credited.

If plagiarism is reported to MTNA or suspected by MTNA, the following steps will be taken:

1. MTNA will contact the Author informing him/her of the allegation.
2. Author has 14 days to respond, in writing, to the allegation.
3. After an investigation by MTNA, MTNA will determine if the allegations are substantiated.
4. The degree of plagiarism, as determined by MTNA, will dictate the action taken.

After investigating the allegations and the Author’s response, MTNA will make a determination and inform the Author in writing of MTNA’s findings and determination.  If plagiarism is found to have occurred, MTNA may take one or more of the following remedial actions depending upon the degree of plagiarism and the culpability of the Author:

1. A notice of the plagiarism determination will appear in the publication where the violation occurred and will include:
   • An apology from the Author; and
   • An erratum.
2. The Author will be banned from submitting manuscripts to any MTNA publications for 3 years.
3. The Author will be ineligible to sit on any MTNA editorial committee/board.

MTNA shall publish annually, in the February/March issue of AMT, a list of the names of MTNA members who died during the previous year. According to notifications received, the Membership Information Services Department will supply these names to AMT.

In addition, MTNA shall publish, from time to time, obituaries of individuals who have made significant and/or substantial contributions to music, especially to music teaching and to MTNA. Inclusion of any obituary is at the discretion of the publisher of AMT.

American Music Teacher does not provide evaluative commentary regarding the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts.

On occasion, MTNA may invite an author(s) to submit an article on speculation. To maintain the highest standards of integrity, all invited submissions must adhere to MTNA’s publication guidelines and will undergo the standard peer-review process. Invitation to submit does not guarantee publication.