Publishing Ethics

Publishing Ethics

At AJSI, we promote integrity in research publication and adhere to the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. Our editorial team and authors are guided by these standards to maintain high ethical standards in scientific publishing.

The publication of a peer-reviewed article is a fundamental building block of scientific knowledge, reflecting the quality of the authors’ work and the institutions supporting them. Peer-reviewed articles support the scientific methodand uphold rigorous research standards.

It is essential that all parties involved in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, editors, publishers, and societies—adhere to agreed ethical standards. Detailed resources on publishing ethics can be found in the Publishing Ethics Resource Kit (PERK).

Editors’ Responsibilities

Editors must:

  • Act fairly, objectively, and without discrimination (gender, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, ethnic or geographical origin).

  • Handle submissions for sponsored supplements or special issues on the same basis as other manuscripts, ensuring acceptance is based solely on academic merit.

  • Follow reasonable procedures for handling ethical complaints or conflicts, allowing authors an opportunity to respond.

  • Retain documentation related to any ethical investigation, even after publication.

Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

  • Review manuscripts objectively and in a timely manner, assisting in improving the quality of publications.

  • Maintain confidentiality of all materials and not retain or copy manuscripts.

  • Alert the editor to similar published or submitted content.

  • Declare any potential conflicts of interest and withdraw from reviewing if necessary.

Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors must:

  • Maintain accurate data records and provide access upon reasonable request; deposit data in repositories where appropriate.

  • Confirm that the manuscript is not under review or published elsewhere; properly cite overlapping or related content.

  • Ensure all work is original, properly cited, and permissions obtained for reproduced content.

  • Comply with national and institutional ethical guidelines for studies involving humans or animals (e.g., WMA Declaration of Helsinki, EU Directives).

  • Declare potential conflicts of interest.

  • Promptly notify the editor of errors and cooperate with corrections (errata, corrigenda, or retractions).

  • Submit only original work; plagiarism is prohibited and detected using Viper Plagiarism Scanner.

  • Cite previous work appropriately if building on prior publications.

  • Avoid citation manipulation, redundant publications, data fabrication, or falsification.

  • Ensure all listed authors made significant contributions and approved the manuscript.

  • Sign a copyright agreement upon acceptance, granting the journal rights to disseminate and protect the publication.

Publishers’ Responsibilities

Publishers must:

  • Investigate reports of misconduct or unethical behavior submitted by anyone.

  • Gather evidence confidentially and make informed decisions without spreading allegations unnecessarily.

Investigation of Misconduct:

  • Minor breaches: Educate or warn the author/reviewer as appropriate.

  • Serious breaches: May involve notifying the employer, funding agency, or professional organization.

    • Informing or educating the author/reviewer

    • Strongly worded warning letters

    • Publication of notices or editorials detailing misconduct

    • Formal letters to department heads or funding agencies

    • Retraction or withdrawal of the publication

    • Formal embargo on submissions for a defined period

      Outcomes may include:

All allegations are treated seriously and objectively until a final decision is reached.

Make a Submission

  • Aims and Scope

  • Publishing Ethics

  • Open Access Policy

  • Abstracting and Indexing

Information for:

  • Readers

  • Authors

  • Librarians

Language: English

Keywords: Research, Innovation, Science, Peer Review, Ethics