Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics Statement

This journal is a peer-reviewed scholarly publication. This statement outlines the ethical principles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, editorial board members, peer reviewers, and the publisher. It also addresses issues related to research integrity and ethical conduct in publishing. This policy is developed with reference to the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

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Guidelines for Publication Ethics

Articles published in this journal contribute to the development of a reliable and respected body of scholarly knowledge. The quality of published work reflects the standards upheld by authors and their supporting institutions. Peer-reviewed publications play a vital role in advancing scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is essential that all parties involved in the publication process adhere to agreed ethical standards, including authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and the wider academic community.

The publisher is committed to maintaining ethical oversight throughout all stages of the publication process. Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by advertising, reprints, or other commercial interests.

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Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, data fabrication or falsification, citation manipulation, plagiarism, or other unethical practices in conducting, reviewing, or reporting research. When allegations of misconduct arise in relation to submitted or published articles, the editorial team has a responsibility to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

In cases of suspected misconduct, the editors will follow established ethical procedures in accordance with COPE guidelines. This includes a fair and transparent investigation of the allegations. Manuscripts found to involve serious ethical violations will be rejected. If misconduct is identified after publication, appropriate corrective actions may be taken, including the publication of corrections or retractions linked to the original article.

The initial assessment involves evaluating the credibility of the allegation and determining whether it meets the definition of research misconduct. Any potential conflicts of interest related to the case will also be considered.

Where appropriate, the authors will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide explanations or supporting evidence. Additional expert review may be sought if necessary. If an issue is determined to result from an honest error rather than misconduct, clarification or correction through editorial communication may be sufficient.

Institutions are expected to cooperate fully in investigations of alleged misconduct. Authors, journals, and institutions share responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record through timely and appropriate responses to ethical concerns.

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Editorial Decisions

Editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts are suitable for publication. Decisions are based on scholarly merit, relevance, and adherence to ethical standards. Editors may consult with editorial board members or reviewers and must operate within applicable legal and ethical frameworks.

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Complaints and Appeals

The journal maintains clear procedures for handling complaints and appeals related to editorial decisions, peer review, or publication practices. All complaints will be handled objectively and in accordance with COPE guidelines. The scope of complaints may include editorial processes, peer review conduct, or ethical concerns related to published content.

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Post-Publication Discussion

The journal supports scholarly discussion after publication through appropriate channels such as letters to the editor, commentary, or moderated platforms.

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Fairness

Manuscripts are evaluated solely on their academic merit and intellectual content, without discrimination based on personal characteristics or beliefs of the authors.

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Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential and must not disclose information to unauthorized parties.

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Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors must not use unpublished material from submitted manuscripts for their own research without written permission from the authors.

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Data Sharing Policy

The journal encourages transparency and reproducibility in research. Authors are encouraged to share relevant research data, methodologies, and materials where possible, in accordance with ethical and legal standards.

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Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer reviewers assist editors in evaluating manuscripts and may provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

Competence

Reviewers who feel unqualified or unable to complete a review promptly should inform the editor and decline the review.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared without authorization.

Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively and professionally. Personal criticism is inappropriate, and assessments should be supported by clear reasoning.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant literature not cited by the authors and notify editors of any significant similarities with other published works.

Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and must not use privileged information obtained through peer review for personal benefit.

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Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

Authors must present accurate and transparent accounts of their research and provide sufficient detail to allow replication. Misrepresentation of data or findings is unethical.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their work is original and that all sources are properly cited.

Multiple Submissions

Manuscripts should not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously or published redundantly.

Authorship

Authorship should reflect significant contributions to the research. All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and its submission.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest and acknowledge sources of funding.

Errors in Published Work

Authors who discover significant errors in their published work must promptly inform the journal and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

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Ethical Oversight

Research involving human participants, animals, hazardous materials, or sensitive data must comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations. Authors must clearly state relevant ethical approvals and safeguards. For studies involving confidential or proprietary data, authors must explain how data security and confidentiality are maintained.