Publication Ethics and Misconduct Policy
Publication Ethics and Misconduct Policy
The journal upholds high standards of scientific integrity, publication ethics, transparency, and accountability throughout the peer-review and publication processes. Consistent with these principles, any suspected misconduct that may compromise the quality, reliability, integrity, or credibility of the scholarly record will be assessed in accordance with the journal's editorial policies and the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics. Reports or allegations of misconduct will be evaluated objectively, confidentially, impartially, and on the basis of verifiable evidence, while ensuring due process and the right of all parties involved to provide relevant explanations and supporting documentation. Where misconduct or ethical breaches are substantiated, the journal will take appropriate corrective actions to safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record and maintain the trust of the academic community.
Examples of Potential Misconduct
- Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or redundant publication
- Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data, results, figures, or images
- Manipulation of the peer-review process
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest
- Inappropriate authorship practices or authorship disputes
- Citation manipulation or attempts to artificially influence bibliometric indicators
- Unauthorized use of copyrighted material
- Impersonation of authors, reviewers, or editors
- Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals
- Concealment, alteration, or misrepresentation of information relevant to the editorial evaluation process
- Failure to comply with ethical requirements applicable to research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data
- Any other practice that violates recognized principles of research integrity and scholarly publishing ethics
The above list is illustrative rather than exhaustive. Any conduct that may constitute a breach of accepted ethical standards will be evaluated in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established by the Committee on Publication Ethics and the journal's editorial policies.