Publication Ethics
- Authorship and Contributorship: Authors should only submit original work that hasn't been published elsewhere. All authors should have made significant contributions to the research and agree to be listed as authors. Any individual who has contributed significantly but does not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.
- Plagiarism: Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Authors should ensure that their work is entirely their own, properly citing sources when referring to others' work and ideas. Any borrowed material, including text, figures, or data, must be appropriately attributed.
- Data Integrity and Fabrication: Authors should accurately present their research findings and ensure the integrity of their data. Data fabrication or falsification is unacceptable. Raw data should be retained and made available for review if necessary.
- Conflict of Interest: Authors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their research or its interpretation. This includes financial conflicts, affiliations, or personal relationships that could bias their work.
- Ethical Treatment of Participants: Research involving human subjects or animals must comply with ethical standards and receive approval from the appropriate institutional review boards. Informed consent should be obtained from participants, and their privacy and confidentiality should be protected.
- Review Process: Editors should ensure a fair and unbiased peer review process. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback and refrain from personal criticism. Confidentiality should be maintained throughout the review process.
- Publication Decisions: Editors should base their decisions on the importance, originality, clarity, and relevance of the research. Manuscripts should be evaluated based on their scientific merit, regardless of the authors' identity, affiliations, or other irrelevant factors.
- Corrections and Retractions: Errors discovered after publication should be corrected promptly and transparently. In cases of serious misconduct or ethical concerns, retractions may be necessary, accompanied by a clear explanation of the reasons for the retraction.
- Editorial Independence: Editors should maintain editorial independence and avoid any conflicts of interest that could compromise their decision-making process. They should also be transparent about any editorial policies or practices that may influence their decisions.
- Copyright and Licensing: Authors should retain copyright to their work and grant the journal the right to publish it. The journal should provide clear information about licensing terms and ensure that authors understand their rights and responsibilities regarding copyright.
