Ethical Standards

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Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Editorial Responsibilities
A. Fair and Impartial Editorial Decision-Making

  1. Manuscript Evaluation: Editors evaluate manuscripts based on their academic quality, considering factors such as significance, originality, validity, clarity, and alignment with the journal’s scope.
  2. Equal Treatment: Manuscripts are reviewed impartially, without consideration of the authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, citizenship, religious beliefs, political views, or institutional affiliation.
  3. Independence: Editorial decisions are made independently of external influences, including government policies or agencies.
  4. Editorial Authority: The Editor-in-Chief holds complete authority over the editorial content and the timing of publication.

B. Confidentiality
Editors and staff maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, sharing information only with those involved in the review and publication process.

C. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

  1. Editors will not use unpublished information from manuscripts for personal research without explicit written consent.
  2. Confidential information obtained during manuscript handling is kept private and not used for personal gain.
  3. The Editor-in-Chief may seek input from other editors or reviewers before reaching a final decision.

D. Publication Decisions

  1. All manuscripts undergo peer-review by at least two experts.
  2. The Editor-in-Chief decides which manuscripts to publish, considering the research’s validity, significance, reviewer feedback, and legal requirements.
  3. The Editor-in-Chief may consult other editors or reviewers before making a final decision.

E. Involvement and Cooperation in Investigations

  1. Editors, with the publisher, address ethical concerns raised about manuscripts or published papers.
  2. All reports of unethical publishing behaviour are thoroughly investigated.
  3. If confirmed, the journal will publish a correction, retraction, expression of concern, or another appropriate note.

Author Responsibilities
A. Reporting Standards

  1. Authors must present accurate accounts of their research and results, with objective discussion on its significance.
  2. Manuscripts should provide sufficient detail and references for replication.
  3. Review articles must be comprehensive and objective, while editorials and opinion pieces should be clearly labelled.
  4. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements are unethical and unacceptable.

B. Data Access and Retention

  1. Authors may be requested to submit raw data for editorial review and should be ready to make the data publicly accessible if feasible.
  2. Data should remain accessible to qualified professionals for at least 10 years post-publication, preferably stored in a repository, ensuring confidentiality and legal compliance.

C. Originality and Plagiarism

  1. Authors must submit only original works and properly cite others’ work or words.
  2. Influential publications must be cited.
  3. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is unethical and unacceptable.

D. Multiple, Duplicate, or Concurrent Submission

  1. Manuscripts should not be published in more than one journal or submitted to multiple journals concurrently.
  2. Secondary publication may be allowed if conditions are met, including agreement from authors and editors, with proper citation of the primary source.

E. Authorship

  1. Only those who significantly contributed to the study and manuscript should be listed as authors.
  2. All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.
  3. Contributors not meeting authorship criteria should be acknowledged with their permission.
  4. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all relevant co-authors are included and have approved the submission.

F. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

  1. Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial or non-financial, at the earliest stage.
  2. All sources of financial support should be disclosed.

G. Acknowledgment of Sources

  1. Authors must properly acknowledge others’ work and cite influential publications.
  2. Privately obtained information should not be used without explicit permission.
  3. Confidential information from peer review or grant applications should not be used without permission.

H. Peer Review
Authors must engage in the peer review process, respond to editors’ requests, and address reviewers’ comments when revisions are necessary.

I. Fundamental Errors in Published Works
If significant errors are found in published work, authors must promptly inform the editors or publisher and work to correct or retract the paper as necessary.

Reviewer Responsibilities
A. Handling Unethical Publishing Practices

  1. Peer review assists editors in making decisions on manuscripts and helps authors improve their work through feedback.
  2. Reviewers are expected to participate fairly in the review process as part of their contribution to the scientific community.

B. Timeliness

Reviewers who feel unqualified or cannot promptly review a manuscript should inform the editors immediately, allowing them to find alternative reviewers without delay.

C. Confidentiality

  1. Manuscripts received for review are confidential and should not be shared or discussed with others unless authorized by the Editor-in-Chief in exceptional circumstances.
  2. This confidentiality applies even to reviewers who decline the review invitation.

D. Objectivity

  1. Reviewers are expected to participate fairly in the review process as part of their contribution to the scientific community.
  2. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate.

E. Source Acknowledgement

  1. Reviewers should identify any relevant work that the authors have not cited and ensure that statements derived from previous publications are properly cited.
  2. If significant similarity between the manuscript under review and another work is noticed, the reviewers should inform the editors.

F. Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure

  1. Reviewers with any conflict of interest should inform the editors immediately and decline the review to avoid bias.
  2. Unpublished material from the manuscript must not be used in the reviewer’s own research without the authors’ consent, and any information or ideas obtained during the review process must remain confidential and not be used for personal gain. This applies equally to reviewers who decline the review invitation.

Publisher Responsibilities
A. Handling Unethical Publishing Practices
The publisher, working with the editors, will take appropriate actions to address scientific misconduct, including fraudulent publication or plagiarism. These actions may involve issuing an erratum, providing clarification, or retracting the article.

B. Maintaining Access to Journal Content
The publisher is dedicated to ensuring the long-term availability and preservation of scholarly research. Journal content is archived in the PKP Preservation Network for sustained accessibility.