Publication Ethics
Duties of Authors
Reporting Standards
Authors presenting original research are required to provide an accurate and transparent account of the work undertaken, accompanied by an objective interpretation of its scholarly significance. All underlying data must be reported with precision. The manuscript should contain sufficient detail and appropriate references to enable replication by other researchers. Any form of fabrication or intentional misrepresentation constitutes unethical conduct and is strictly prohibited.
Data Access and Retention
Authors may be requested to submit raw data for editorial evaluation and should be willing to provide public access to such data where feasible, in accordance with recognised standards on data sharing. Furthermore, authors are expected to retain research data for a reasonable period following publication.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. Any use of others’ ideas, data, or wording must be properly acknowledged through appropriate citation or quotation.
Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Manuscripts reporting substantially similar research should not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously. Such practices are considered unethical and are not permitted.
Acknowledgement of Sources
All relevant sources that have contributed to the development of the research must be appropriately recognised. Authors are expected to cite key works that have influenced the study.
Authorship Criteria
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All contributors meeting these criteria must be listed as co-authors, while others who have supported specific aspects of the research should be acknowledged accordingly. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of authorship and securing approval of the final manuscript from all co-authors prior to submission.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest that may influence the interpretation or findings of the study. All sources of funding must be clearly stated.
Corrections and Retractions
In the event that a significant error is identified in a published work, the author is obliged to promptly inform the editor and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions. Post-publication amendments may incur additional charges.
Hazards and Ethical Considerations
Any potential risks associated with the use of hazardous materials, procedures, or equipment must be explicitly stated. Research involving human or animal subjects must adhere to established ethical standards.
Duties of Editors
Fair Evaluation
Editors are required to assess manuscripts solely on the basis of academic merit, without discrimination based on personal characteristics or beliefs of the authors.
Confidentiality
All information related to submitted manuscripts must be treated as confidential and disclosed only to relevant parties involved in the editorial and review process.
Conflicts of Interest
Editors must not utilise unpublished materials from submitted manuscripts for their own research without explicit written consent from the authors.
Publication Decisions
Editorial decisions regarding publication are based on the scholarly value, originality, and relevance of the manuscript. These decisions must also comply with legal and ethical standards, including those related to copyright and plagiarism.
Peer Review Process
Editors must ensure that manuscripts undergo a fair and rigorous peer review process. Qualified reviewers should be selected based on expertise, and any potential conflicts of interest must be avoided. The review process should be clearly communicated to authors.
Duties of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer reviewers play a vital role in supporting editorial decisions and in improving the quality of manuscripts through constructive feedback.
Timeliness
Reviewers should complete their evaluations within the agreed timeframe. If unable to do so or lacking appropriate expertise, they must promptly inform the editor.
Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted impartially and supported by clear, reasoned arguments. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed without authorisation.
Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must not evaluate manuscripts in which they have competing interests. Any privileged information obtained through the review process must not be used for personal advantage.
Acknowledgement of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant literature not cited by the authors and inform the editor of any significant overlap or similarity with existing published work.
