Publication Ethics

This journal is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the scientific record. Authors must avoid misrepresenting research findings, as such actions can undermine trust in the journal, compromise the professionalism of scientific authorship, and ultimately jeopardize the broader scientific endeavor. Upholding the integrity of research and its presentation is facilitated by adhering to established standards of good scientific practice, which include the following guidelines:

  • Manuscripts should not be submitted to more than one journal for simultaneous consideration.
  • The work submitted must be original and not previously published in any form or language (in whole or in part), unless it represents an expansion of earlier work.
  • A single study should not be fragmented into multiple submissions to increase publication quantity, a practice known as "salami-slicing."
  • Concurrent or secondary publication may be justifiable under specific conditions, such as translations or works intended for different audiences.
  • Results must be presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation, including image alterations. Authors should comply with discipline-specific standards for data acquisition, selection, and processing.
  • Proper attribution must be given for any data, text, or theories derived from other sources to avoid plagiarism. This includes providing citations for closely paraphrased material and using quotation marks for verbatim excerpts, as well as securing permissions for copyrighted material.
  • Authors must ensure they have permission to use any software, questionnaires, surveys, or scales in their research, when applicable.
  • Research articles and non-research articles (e.g., Opinion, Review, and Commentary pieces) must cite relevant literature that supports the claims made. Excessive self-citation or coordinated self-citing among several authors is strongly discouraged.
  • Authors should refrain from making unsubstantiated statements about individuals or organizations that could be construed as personal attacks or allegations.
  • Research that could be misapplied to endanger public health or national security must be clearly identified in the manuscript, such as studies involving the dual use of research.
  • Authors are strongly advised to verify the accuracy of the author group, Corresponding Author, and author order upon submission. Changes to authorship during the revision process are generally not permitted, although exceptions may be warranted with detailed explanations. No changes can be made after manuscript acceptance.
  • Self-plagiarism, or the reuse of one’s own previously published work without proper citation, is also prohibited.

These guidelines must be observed, and authors must respect the rights of third parties, including copyright and moral rights. Authors should be prepared to provide relevant documentation or data upon request to verify the validity of the results presented, excluding sensitive or proprietary information.

In instances of suspected misconduct or alleged fraud, the journal and/or publisher will conduct an investigation in accordance with COPE guidelines. If valid concerns arise after the investigation, the affected authors will be contacted via their provided email addresses and given an opportunity to respond. Depending on the circumstances, the following actions may be taken:

  • Rejection of the manuscript if it is still under review.
  • If the article has already been published online, measures may include:
  • Issuing an erratum or correction,
  • Publishing an expression of concern,
  • In severe cases, retracting the article.

The reason for any action taken will be detailed in the accompanying erratum, correction, expression of concern, or retraction notice. Retraction implies that the article remains accessible on the platform but is marked as "retracted," with an explanation linked to the watermarked article.

  • The author’s institution may be notified.
  • A notice regarding suspected ethical transgressions in the peer review process may be recorded in the author’s and article’s bibliographic record.