Research Journal & Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Generative AI (GenAI) Policy

We recognizes that generative artificial intelligence tools may be used by authors as writing or research-support tools. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity and ethical conduct of their work. Authors must disclose the use of generative AI tools whenever such tools have been used in preparing a manuscript, and this disclosure should identify the tool or system used and briefly describe how it was applied. Routine use of basic spelling, grammar or reference-management software need not be reported unless it materially changes the content. Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors, and human authors retain full responsibility for the submitted manuscript, including its originality, factual accuracy, citations, interpretation of results, and compliance with research and publication ethics. Authors must independently verify all AI-generated content and references before submission. Authors must not use GenAI in a manner that results in plagiarism, fabricated information, fabricated or altered data, false citations, copyright infringement, or breach of confidentiality. Authors should also refrain from uploading confidential manuscripts, personal data, unpublished research data, or other protected material to any AI service where doing so would compromise confidentiality. Reviewers and editors must likewise maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and should not upload unpublished manuscripts or confidential peer-review material into public or third-party GenAI systems. Any editorial or reviewing use of AI must not replace the independent professional judgment of the reviewer or editor. Undisclosed or inappropriate use of GenAI that results in plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, misrepresentation, or other publication misconduct may result in rejection, correction, retraction, or other editorial action, in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures.

1. We are committed to maintaining ethical standards in scholarly publishing. The following principles apply to authors, reviewers, editors and the journal's publisher.

2. Authors must submit original work and must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal. The work must not have been previously published unless appropriately disclosed and permitted. Authors must provide accurate information, acknowledge sources, report research honestly, and obtain necessary permissions for copyrighted material, and all listed authors should have made a meaningful contribution to the work and approved the submitted version.

3. Plagiarism, including unattributed copying or inappropriate reuse of another person's work, is not acceptable, and fabrication or falsification of data, results, images, citations or other research information is prohibited. Suspected misconduct may be investigated and may lead to rejection, correction, retraction, or notification of the relevant institution where appropriate.

4. As stated in the journal's author guidelines, every article is reviewed through masked peer review by two referees. Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts objectively, maintain confidentiality, identify relevant ethical concerns, and disclose any conflict of interest that could affect their judgment.

5. Editors should make decisions based on the scholarly quality and relevance of manuscripts, and must maintain confidentiality and should not use unpublished information for personal advantage. Any actual or potential conflict of interest involving authors, reviewers or editors should be disclosed and managed appropriately. 

6. If a significant error is discovered after publication, the journal may publish a correction or other appropriate notice, and if an article is found to contain serious errors or publication misconduct that invalidates the work or materially compromises the publication record, the journal may retract the article and explain the reason for the action.

7. Complaints concerning publication ethics or suspected malpractice should be submitted to the Editor with sufficient supporting information. The journal will review credible allegations and, where appropriate, seek clarification from the authors, reviewers, editors or relevant institutions before taking an editorial decision.

8. The journal's existing author guidelines state that authors must obtain written permission for the use of previously published material, and copyright arrangements apply after acceptance as described in the journal's author guidelines.

9. Where research involves human participants, animals, personal data, or other regulated or sensitive material, authors are responsible for obtaining the required ethical approval, informed consent and permissions, as applicable, and for reporting these matters transparently in the manuscript.