Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Duties of Authors

  • Reporting Standards: Authors reporting original research must provide an accurate and truthful account of the work conducted, along with an objective discussion of its significance. The underlying data should be presented accurately, and the manuscript must include sufficient detail and appropriate references to allow replication of the study. Any form of data fabrication, falsification, or knowingly inaccurate statements constitutes unethical conduct and is unacceptable;
  • Data Access and Retention: Authors may be requested to submit raw data related to their manuscript for editorial review and should be prepared to provide such data within a reasonable timeframe;
  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are entirely original. Any use of the work or words of others must be properly cited or quoted;
  • Multiple, Redundant or Concurrent Publication: Authors should not publish manuscripts reporting essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously constitutes unethical publishing practice and is unacceptable;
  • Acknowledgement of Sources: Appropriate acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have significantly influenced the nature of the reported work;
  • Authorship of the Paper: Authorship should be restricted to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All individuals who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. Those who contributed to specific aspects of the research but do not meet the authorship criteria should be acknowledged as contributors. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all eligible co-authors are included, that no ineligible individuals are listed as authors, and that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission;
  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: All authors must disclose any financial or other significant conflicts of interest that could potentially influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. All sources of financial support for the research must also be clearly disclosed;
  • Fundamental errors in published works: If an author identifies a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, the author has an obligation to promptly inform the journal editor or publisher and cooperate fully in correcting or retracting the article;
  • Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects: If the research involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment that pose unusual or inherent hazards, authors must clearly identify and describe these risks in the manuscript.

Duties of Editors

  • Fair Play: An editor at any time evaluates manuscripts for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors;
  • Confidentiality: The editor and any editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate;
  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the express written consent of the author;
  • Publication Decisions: The editorial board is responsible for determining which submitted manuscripts are suitable for publication. Editorial decisions are based on the scholarly merit, validity, and significance of the work for researchers and readers. Editors are guided by the journal’s editorial policies and must comply with applicable legal requirements related to libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. In making publication decisions, editors may consult with other editors or reviewers;
  • Review of Manuscripts: Editors must ensure that each submitted manuscript undergoes an initial evaluation for originality. Editors are responsible for managing the peer review process in a fair and responsible manner. The peer review procedures should be clearly explained in the author guidelines, including an indication of which sections of the journal are subject to peer review. Editors must select qualified reviewers with appropriate expertise and avoid assigning reviewers with conflicts of interest.

Duties of Reviewers

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Peer review assists the editor in making editorial decisions and through the editorial communications with the author may also assist the author in improving the paper;
  • Promptness: Any reviewer who considers themselves unqualified to evaluate the research presented in a manuscript, or who anticipates being unable to complete the review in a timely manner, must promptly inform the editor and withdraw from the review process;
  • Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Referees should express their views clearly with supporting arguments;
  • Confidentiality: Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by the editor;
  • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Any confidential information or ideas obtained through the peer review process must be treated as privileged and must not be used for personal benefit. Reviewers must not evaluate manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the manuscript.
  • Acknowledgement of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published works that have not been cited by the authors. Any claim that an observation, derivation, or argument has been previously reported must be supported by appropriate citations. Reviewers should also inform the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and other published works of which they are aware.