This publication policy defines the principles, responsibilities, and limitations that govern all submissions to the journal. It exists to protect the integrity of scholarly communication, ensure fair editorial practice, and set clear expectations for authors, reviewers, and editors. By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge and agree to the standards outlined below.

The journal is committed to ethical publishing, editorial independence, and transparent processes. At the same time, it is necessary to clarify what the journal can reasonably guarantee and what falls outside its control. Clear boundaries protect both authors and the scholarly record.

Editorial Responsibility and Its Limits

The journal is responsible for providing a fair, independent, and rigorous editorial and peer review process. This includes initial screening, reviewer selection, editorial decision-making, and publication in accordance with the journal’s scope and standards. The journal also ensures that published articles are properly formatted, indexed where applicable, and made accessible according to its publishing model.

However, the journal does not guarantee citations, impact, or readership outcomes. Citation behaviour depends on the research community, relevance of the work, and subsequent scholarly use. While the journal works to improve discoverability and indexing, authors should not expect the publisher to influence citation practices or artificially promote individual articles.

Author Responsibility and Scholarly Conduct

Authors are responsible for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their submissions. All data, arguments, interpretations, and references must be presented honestly and transparently. Authors must ensure that their work makes a genuine scholarly contribution and is appropriately situated within existing literature.

Misrepresentation of authorship, data fabrication, selective reporting, or misleading citation practices are considered serious breaches of academic conduct. The journal expects authors to adhere to internationally recognised standards of research ethics at all stages of the research and writing process.

Originality and Exclusive Submission

Manuscripts submitted to the journal must be original and not under consideration elsewhere. Submitting the same or substantially similar work to multiple journals simultaneously undermines the peer review system and wastes editorial and reviewer resources.

Previously published material, including articles, book chapters, or conference proceedings, is not acceptable unless explicitly stated and justified, and only where journal policy permits. Authors are required to disclose any prior dissemination of the work at the time of submission.

Plagiarism, Self-Plagiarism, and Redundant Publication

The journal maintains a strict policy against plagiarism in all forms. This includes direct copying, close paraphrasing without attribution, and the reuse of ideas or structures without proper citation. Self-plagiarism, including the unacknowledged reuse of an author’s own previously published material, is also unacceptable.

All submissions may be screened using plagiarism detection tools. Manuscripts found to violate originality standards may be rejected outright, returned for correction, or retracted if already published. Serious cases may be reported to the author’s institution.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

The journal recognises that AI tools are increasingly used in academic workflows. Limited and transparent use of AI is permitted only as a support tool, not as a substitute for scholarly authorship.

Authors may use AI tools for:

• Language editing and grammar improvement
• Improving clarity and readability
• Formatting assistance or reference checking

AI tools may not be used to:

• Generate original research ideas, arguments, or interpretations
• Write substantial portions of the manuscript content
• Produce results, analyses, or conclusions
• Replace critical scholarly judgement

Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their submission, including any material produced with AI assistance. The use of AI must not compromise originality, accountability, or intellectual ownership. The journal reserves the right to request clarification on AI use where concerns arise.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Authors retain intellectual responsibility for their work and must ensure that all submitted content complies with copyright law. This includes text, figures, tables, images, datasets, and supplementary materials.

Any material not created by the authors must be properly credited and accompanied by permission where required. Submitting copyrighted material without authorisation is a breach of publishing ethics and may result in rejection or retraction.

Upon acceptance, authors agree to the journal’s licensing and copyright terms as specified at the time of publication.

Use of Images, Figures, and Data

Images, figures, and data must be original, accurate, and relevant to the research. Manipulation of images or data that alters meaning or misrepresents results is strictly prohibited. All visual materials must be clearly labelled, appropriately sourced, and ethically produced.

Where data involve human participants, sensitive information must be anonymised, and ethical approval must be clearly stated. Authors are responsible for ensuring compliance with data protection and research ethics requirements.

Peer Review Ethics and Integrity

The journal operates an independent peer review process designed to ensure fairness, confidentiality, and scholarly rigour. Authors must not attempt to influence reviewers or editors, nor should they seek to manipulate the review process through false identities, fabricated reviewer suggestions, or undisclosed conflicts of interest.

All participants in the publication process are expected to act professionally and respectfully. Abuse of editorial staff or reviewers will not be tolerated.

Fees, Payments, and Transparency

The journal does not require upfront payment at the point of submission. Any publication fees, where applicable, are communicated transparently and only after editorial decisions are made. Submission is not conditional on payment, and editorial decisions are never influenced by financial considerations.

Authors should be cautious of third parties claiming to guarantee acceptance, fast-track review, or citation outcomes on behalf of the journal. Such claims are false and unauthorised.

Corrections, Retractions, and Post-Publication Responsibility

The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Where errors, ethical concerns, or misconduct are identified after publication, the journal may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as appropriate.

Authors are expected to cooperate fully in post-publication reviews and corrective actions. Transparency and accountability remain essential even after publication.

Conclusion

Ethical publishing is a shared responsibility. The journal provides a fair, transparent, and professionally managed publication platform. Authors provide original, honest, and well-documented scholarship. Neither role can substitute for the other.

By adhering to these policies, all participants contribute to a scholarly environment built on trust, integrity, and academic value.