Publication Ethics

For all parties involved in the act of publishing, including authors, editors, peer reviewers, and publishers, it is essential to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior. Ethical guidelines should be established based on best practice recommendations and codes of conduct relevant to journal publishing. If any stakeholders—authors, editors, or reviewers—require clarification regarding these ethical standards, they should refer to the original guidelines provided by the appropriate governing bodies.

Duties of the Editors-in-Chief

Fair play

Manuscripts are assessed based on their intellectual content, without consideration of the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, citizenship, or political views.

Confidentiality

All individuals involved in the editorial process must keep information about submitted materials confidential. This information should only be shared with the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, relevant advisors, and the publisher, as necessary.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Unpublished materials shared in a submitted work should not be utilized in any research by the recipient without obtaining explicit written permission from the original creator(s).

Publication decisions

The Editor-in-Chief of a journal is responsible for determining which submitted articles will be published. This decision may be influenced by the journal’s Editorial Board policies and legal considerations such as libel, copyright, and plagiarism laws. The Editor-in-Chief may also consult with other editors or reviewers during this process.

Duties of peer reviewers

Peer review plays a crucial role in supporting the editorial decision-making process. It helps the editor assess the quality of submissions and provides valuable feedback to authors, which can enhance their manuscripts.

Promptness

Suppose an invited reviewer feels unqualified to evaluate a submission or is unable to provide a timely review. In that case, they should promptly inform the editor so that other potential reviewers can be considered.

Confidentiality

All received manuscripts for review should be considered confidential. They must not be shared or discussed with anyone unless the appropriate authority grants permission.

Standards of objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively. Constructive criticism of the work in question is permissible. Reviewers should articulate their perspectives clearly and provide relevant supporting arguments.

Acknowledgement of sources

When reviewing a manuscript, it is crucial to identify any relevant published work that the authors have not included. Any claim regarding prior observations, derivations, or arguments should be supported with appropriate citations. Additionally, reviewers should inform the editor of any significant similarities or overlaps between the manuscript and other published research that they are aware of.

Disclosure and conflict of interest

Confidential information or ideas obtained during the review process should always be kept private and not used for personal gain. Reviewers should avoid assessing submissions in which they have conflicts of interest due to competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors or any related entities.

Duties of authors

Reporting standards

When presenting original research, authors should provide a precise account of their work and openly discuss its importance. The underlying data must be represented accurately in any written work. Sufficient detail and references should be included to allow others to replicate the research. Any fraudulent or intentionally misleading statements are considered unethical and are not acceptable.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors should ensure that their work is original and properly attribute any use of others’ ideas or language. It is generally unacceptable for authors to publish the same research in multiple journals or submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously, as this is considered unethical behavior in the publishing industry.

Acknowledgement of sources

It's essential to give proper credit to the contributions of others in any work. Additionally, it’s essential to reference influential sources that have shaped the direction of the reported work.

Authorship of a manuscript

Authorship should be reserved for individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the conceptualization, design, implementation, or interpretation of a study. All contributors who meet these criteria should be recognized as co-authors. Those who have participated in significant aspects of the research but do not qualify for authorship should be acknowledged in a separate section.

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate co-authors are included on the manuscript and that no ineligible individuals are listed. Additionally, the corresponding author must confirm that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the paper and have consented to its submission for publication.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Authors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest in their work that could affect the interpretation of their findings. Additionally, it’s crucial to reveal all sources of financial support related to the project.

Fundamental errors in published works

When someone discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, it is their responsibility to promptly inform the relevant authority and cooperate with them to either retract the work or issue an appropriate correction.

Publisher’s confirmation

In cases of alleged or proven misconduct in research, including fraudulent publication or plagiarism, the responsible party will take appropriate measures to investigate the situation and address the issue. This may involve the publication of corrections or, in severe instances, the retraction of the affected work.

There is a commitment to non-discrimination in all programs, services, and activities, ensuring equal treatment regardless of age, color, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic factors, or sexual orientation.

Furthermore, there is a dedication to ensuring the permanent availability and preservation of research, emphasizing accessibility through partnerships with organizations and maintaining a digital archive.