Editorial Policies

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. The journal adheres to the principles and best practices set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and its internal policies are developed to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical responsibility throughout the editorial and publishing process.

By submitting a manuscript to JASS, authors affirm that:

The work is original, not under review elsewhere, and has been approved by all listed authors.

The content complies with the journal’s ethical standards regarding authorship, plagiarism, data integrity, conflicts of interest, and responsible research practices.

They agree to cooperate with the editorial office in any investigation of ethical concerns that may arise during or after publication.

JASS takes publication ethics seriously. Any allegations of misconduct—including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication, or undisclosed conflicts—will be investigated according to COPE-recommended procedures.

JASS does not accept advertisements from third parties. This policy ensures that editorial decisions are free from commercial influence and that the content published in the journal maintains its scholarly independence and academic objectivity.

Affiliations

Authors are required to provide complete and accurate institutional affiliations that reflect where the research was conceptualized, conducted, or supported. For academic and research-based articles, the institutional affiliation at the time of the study should be clearly stated. In the case of non-research submissions, the author's current institutional affiliation must be listed.

If an author changes affiliation before the article is published, both the previous and current affiliations should be disclosed. The original affiliation—where the work was carried out—should be listed with the author’s name, while the current affiliation may be included in a footnote or in the acknowledgments section, along with contact details.

Authors must not remove co-authors due to institutional changes, provided they have met the journal’s authorship criteria. Any deliberate misrepresentation or omission of affiliation information will be treated as a serious ethical violation and may be subject to investigation in collaboration with relevant academic or institutional authorities.

Appeals and Complaints

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) is committed to fair and transparent editorial practices. Authors, reviewers, or other stakeholders who have concerns about authorship, the peer-review process, editorial decisions, or any aspect of the journal’s handling of a manuscript are encouraged to submit a formal complaint or appeal.

All appeals and complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editors-in-Chief, who will review the matter carefully, gather input from the relevant parties, and take appropriate action based on the journal’s internal policies and in alignment with general principles of publishing ethics (such as those outlined by COPE).

If the appeal or complaint involves the Editors-in-Chief personally, the case will be referred to the Editorial Board for independent review and resolution. During the review process, the journal may temporarily suspend further processing of the submission until the matter is resolved.

Appeals of editorial decisions are considered when authors provide new evidence, clarifying information, or a reasonable argument against the initial decision. However, appeals related to opinion pieces, perspective articles, or editorials—where editorial judgment plays a central role—may not always result in a change of decision. Authors whose appeals are unsuccessful are encouraged to consider submitting their work to another appropriate journal.

All complaints are handled confidentially, and the journal is committed to ensuring a respectful and unbiased resolution process.

Acknowledgment

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) requires authors to formally recognize individuals or groups who contributed meaningfully to the research or manuscript preparation but do not meet the criteria for authorship. These contributions may include general supervision, administrative or technical support, funding acquisition, data collection or analysis, editorial assistance, or participation in scholarly discussions.

Such individuals should be acknowledged by name and institutional affiliation, with a brief description of their specific role. Authors must obtain consent from acknowledged individuals, confirming that they approve the wording and context of the acknowledgment.

In the case of group contributions (e.g., research teams, field investigators, or institutional collaborators), the group’s name may be listed, along with a clear summary of their involvement in the project.

Additionally, if any artificial intelligence tools were used to assist in content generation, data handling, or manuscript editing, their use must be transparently disclosed in the acknowledgment section. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of any content produced or assisted by such tools.

Authorship

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) values transparency and accountability in recognizing contributions to scholarly work. Authorship reflects significant intellectual involvement in the research and writing process and carries with it responsibility for the integrity of the published content.

To qualify for authorship, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

Have made a substantial contribution to the conception or design of the study; or to the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data;
Have participated in drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for intellectual content;
Have approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission, including any major revisions;
Have agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that any questions related to accuracy or integrity are appropriately investigated and resolved.

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all individuals who meet the above criteria are listed as co-authors and that no eligible contributors are omitted. They must also confirm that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Individuals who contributed to specific elements of the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship (e.g., administrative support, language editing, data collection) should be acknowledged appropriately in the Acknowledgment section, with their permission.

JASS discourages honorary, guest, or ghost authorship. Any concerns about authorship must be addressed before submission or, if raised post-submission, will be handled according to the journal’s ethical review procedures.

Authorship Criteria

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) adheres to clear and transparent criteria for authorship to ensure that credit is given only to those who have made meaningful scholarly contributions. Authorship should be based on substantial involvement in all of the following areas:

Conceptualization and design of the study, or significant involvement in data collection, analysis, or interpretation;
Preparation of the manuscript, including drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content;
Final review and approval of the version to be submitted and published.

Contributors who have participated solely in funding acquisition, data collection, or general supervision are not eligible for authorship unless they have also contributed intellectually to the work as outlined above.

Each listed author must have participated sufficiently to take public responsibility for at least a portion of the content. The order of authors should reflect the relative contribution of each individual, and once the manuscript is submitted, changes in authorship or order will only be accepted with written consent from all listed authors.

To maintain integrity and discourage guest or honorary authorship, the journal may set limits on the number of authors for certain types of submissions based on the nature and complexity of the work. In cases where the number of authors exceeds typical expectations, the submitting author must provide a justification explaining the contributions of each author.

Contribution Details

To ensure transparency and accountability, the Journal of Arts and Social Sciences(JASS) requires all authors to clearly state their individual contributions to the work. A detailed description of each author’s role should be provided at the time of submission and will be published alongside the article.

Author contributions should be categorized where applicable, using the following areas as a guide:

Conceptualization and study design
Definition of intellectual content
Literature review or sourcing
Data collection or fieldwork
Data analysis or interpretation
Statistical analysis
Drafting the manuscript
Editing or revising the manuscript
Final manuscript review

At least one author must be designated as the guarantor, taking overall responsibility for the integrity of the work from its initial stages through to publication. The guarantor ensures that all aspects of the work are accurate and ethically conducted, and that any concerns regarding the content can be addressed responsibly.

By clearly outlining individual contributions, JASS promotes fair attribution of credit and helps prevent unethical authorship practices.

Authors Responsibilities

Authors must ensure their submissions are original and properly cite all sources, as plagiarism, data fabrication, and duplicate submissions are unethical and will lead to rejection or retraction. Research findings should be presented honestly and without data manipulation, and where applicable, authors must be prepared to share their data for verification purposes. All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the research, with the corresponding author ensuring that all co-authors approve the final manuscript. Contributions from individuals who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged separately. Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence their research, explicitly mentioning funding sources in the manuscript. If a significant error or inaccuracy is discovered in a published work, authors must promptly notify the journal’s editorial board and cooperate in issuing a correction or retraction if necessary.

Citations

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) requires all submitted articles—whether research-based or theoretical in nature—to include accurate, relevant, and up-to-date citations that support the claims and arguments presented. References should primarily draw from peer-reviewed and scholarly sources to ensure the credibility and academic rigor of the manuscript.

Authors must avoid any form of citation manipulation, including but not limited to:

Excessive or irrelevant self-citation to inflate citation counts
Reciprocal citation agreements between authors or research groups
Unjustified emphasis on work from a particular journal or institution

Such practices are considered unethical and may lead to editorial investigation or rejection of the manuscript.

For non-research submissions, such as opinion pieces, conceptual articles, or reviews, authors are expected to present a balanced representation of the current literature, without unfair bias toward specific schools of thought, researchers, or affiliations.

If authors are uncertain about the appropriateness of citing a particular source, they are encouraged to consult with the journal’s editorial office before submission.

By maintaining high standards for referencing, JASS promotes scholarly integrity and contributes to a fair and transparent academic environment.

Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests

JASS is committed to transparency in scholarly publishing and requires all authors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest—whether financial, institutional, or personal—that could influence the content or interpretation of their submitted work.

A conflict of interest arises when circumstances exist that may be perceived to affect an author's ability to present objective or unbiased research. These conflicts may not necessarily lead to rejection, but they must be openly declared to allow editors and readers to assess the work with full context.

Examples of Financial Conflicts of Interest may include:

Employment, consultancy, or advisory roles
Funding or grants received from interested entities
Honoraria, royalties, lecture or speaking fees
Patents (granted or pending) or intellectual property rights
Equity holdings, stock ownership, or financial benefits tied to products related to the research

Examples of Non-Financial Conflicts of Interest may include:

Access to data or materials from parties with a vested interest in the outcomes
Participation in professional or institutional boards connected to the subject
Political, ideological, or academic affiliations that may introduce bias
Ongoing legal disputes or involvement in litigation related to the work
Assistance from individuals or organizations with an interest in the results

All submitting authors are required to complete a competing interests declaration, which will be published in the “Disclosure” section of the article. If no competing interests exist, the journal will include the statement: “The authors declare that they have no competing interests.”

Authors unsure about whether a circumstance constitutes a conflict should consult the journal’s editorial office or their institution’s research ethics body. Undisclosed conflicts, if discovered later, may lead to editorial action including correction or retraction of the published article.

Sponsorship of Clinical Trials

JASS emphasizes the importance of transparency in the sponsorship, funding, and conduct of clinical trials or any studies involving human participants. Authors must clearly disclose all sources of support and funding related to the trial, as well as any affiliations or relationships that could be perceived as influencing the research process or its outcomes.

Conflicts of interest—whether financial, institutional, or personal—must be disclosed, even if the authors believe the conflict had no actual effect on the research. Full disclosure enables editors, reviewers, and readers to make informed judgments about the integrity and neutrality of the study.

If unsure whether a relationship or sponsorship constitutes a potential conflict, authors are encouraged to consult the editorial office for guidance. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in rejection of the manuscript or corrective actions post-publication, including expressions of concern, corrections, or retractions.

Common types of conflicts associated with clinical trials include:

Financial: Direct funding, sponsorship, payments, provision of equipment or materials, or contracts from commercial entities with an interest in the trial outcome.
Affiliations: Employment, board membership, or advisory roles with organizations linked to the trial’s purpose or findings.
Intellectual Property: Patents, trademarks, or proprietary technology that could benefit from the research.
Personal Relationships: Involvement of friends, family, or close colleagues in a way that may compromise objectivity.
Academic Rivalry: Competition or personal disputes with other researchers working in the same field.

JASS encourages full openness regarding all sponsorship and conflicts to uphold the integrity of research reporting and safeguard trust in published work.

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

JASS is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and trustworthiness of the scholarly record. On rare occasions, published content may require correction, clarification, or removal to address errors or ethical concerns. In such cases, appropriate notices will be issued following a careful editorial review.

Any decision to amend the published record will be made by the editorial team, in consultation with relevant parties, and guided by the principles of transparency and accountability, including those outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All notices will be linked to the original article and remain permanently accessible.

Correction: A correction (or corrigendum) is issued when an error—introduced by either the author or the publisher—affects the accuracy or clarity of the publication but does not compromise the overall validity of the research. Author errors will be addressed with a corrigendum, while publisher errors will be corrected via an erratum.
Retraction: A retraction may be issued when a published article is found to contain serious flaws that invalidate its findings, or in cases of confirmed research or publication misconduct, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices. Retraction notices will include the reason, clarify who initiated the retraction, and maintain a link between the original and retracted versions.
Expression of Concern: When substantial doubts arise about the integrity or ethics of a published article, but an investigation is ongoing or inconclusive, the journal may issue an expression of concern to alert readers. This notice may be updated or replaced with a correction or retraction once the investigation concludes.
Removal: In rare and exceptional circumstances, such as legal violations, defamatory content, or court orders, an article may be removed from public view. In such cases, a removal notice will remain on the journal website indicating the reason for the action.

JASS takes all post-publication issues seriously and handles them with urgency and fairness. The journal aims to ensure that any changes to the scholarly record are clearly documented, justified, and in line with international ethical standards.

Consent for Publication

JASS requires authors to obtain written informed consent from individuals whose identifiable personal information—such as images, case details, or personal narratives—is included in a manuscript. This applies to both direct and indirect identification.

Consent must explicitly authorize publication under the terms of the journal’s open access license Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), which allows the content to be freely accessed, shared, and reused online.

For individuals under the age of 18, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian. In cases where the subject is deceased, permission must be granted by their next of kin or legal representative.

The manuscript must contain a clear statement confirming that written consent was obtained, and the signed consent form must be retained by the authors. It should be made available to the Editor upon request. All consent documentation will be handled with strict confidentiality and will not be published or shared publicly.

Failure to secure appropriate consent may result in rejection of the manuscript or retraction after publication.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) are treated as confidential documents throughout the editorial and peer-review process. The content of a submission will only be shared with individuals directly involved in its evaluation and processing, including the editorial team, assigned reviewers, and the corresponding author.

Editors and reviewers are expected to respect the confidentiality of the review process and must not disclose, discuss, or use the content of a manuscript for any purpose unrelated to its evaluation. Unpublished materials must not be cited, distributed, or used in personal research.

In cases where ethical concerns or suspected misconduct arise (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, authorship disputes), the journal reserves the right to share relevant information with members of its ethics oversight committee or with appropriate institutional or regulatory bodies, in accordance with the principles set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

JASS is committed to maintaining the integrity of the peer-review process while ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing serious ethical issues.

Copyright Policy

JASS welcomes submissions from authors who hold the legal rights to the work they are submitting. Authors must ensure that their manuscript is original and that they are either the copyright holders or have received appropriate authorization from the copyright owner(s) to submit the work for publication.

By default, authors retain the copyright to their work prior to publication. In some cases—such as institutional or corporate employment—copyright may initially belong to the employer, depending on the terms of the employment contract. In such instances, appropriate permissions must be secured before submission.

Upon acceptance, authors agree to publish their work under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This open access license allows others to download and share the article for non-commercial purposes, provided that the work is properly cited and not altered in any way.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission does not infringe on the rights of others, including copyrighted materials such as images, figures, or extended quotations. If such materials are included, authors must obtain written permission from the original rights holders.

By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of these copyright terms.

User Rights

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) is an Open Access journal. This means that all published articles are freely available online to readers worldwide, immediately upon publication, without subscription or access fees.

Users are permitted to:

Read, download, and print articles
Copy and distribute content for non-commercial purposes
Search, link to, and share full-text articles

These rights are granted under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Under this license:

The original authors and source must be properly credited.
The material cannot be used for commercial purposes.
The remix, transform, or build upon the material must be distributed under the same license as the original.

A copyright statement is included in each published article and clearly defines the licensing terms. For more details on the license, please visit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Open Access Policy

The Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) is a fully Open Access journal, committed to the free and immediate availability of its published content. All articles are accessible online without charge to readers or institutions.

Articles published in JASS are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This license permits:

Non-commercial re-use, including downloading, reading, printing, searching, and sharing links to the full text
Copying and distributing the content, provided the original author(s) and source are properly attributed
The remix, transform, or build upon the material must be distributed under the same license as the original.

This licensing model ensures wide dissemination of scholarly work while protecting the integrity and authorship of the original content. For full license terms, please visit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Author Rights

As outlined in our Submission Agreement, and in exchange for the publication of the article, authors transfer all copyright ownership of the submitted work to the Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (JASS) upon acceptance.

The publisher will retain exclusive rights for:

Publishing the article in print and digital formats
Distributing the article through various platforms
Archiving and indexing the article in recognized repositories

Although copyright is transferred, articles are published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This means:

The work may be freely accessed, read, and shared for non-commercial purposes, provided the original authors and source are properly credited.
The remix, transform, or build upon the material must be distributed under the same license as the original.

This model allows for broad dissemination of research while maintaining the integrity and attribution of the original work.

Data falsification/fabrication

JASS upholds the integrity of the scholarly record and strictly prohibits any form of data falsification or fabrication. Manipulating research data, figures, images, or results—either through omission, alteration, or invention—is considered a serious breach of academic and ethical standards.

Authors must ensure that:

All data presented in their manuscript is accurate, reliable, and a truthful representation of the research conducted.
No data has been manipulated, selectively omitted, or fabricated to misrepresent findings or conclusions.
All original/raw data relevant to the study is retained and made available upon request during or after the peer review process.
Failure to provide verifiable data, or evidence of intentional misconduct, may result in:
- Immediate rejection of the manuscript under review
- Retraction of a published article
- Notification to affiliated institutions or funding bodies

JASS follows COPE guidelines in investigating any allegations of data manipulation and will take appropriate action to correct the academic record where necessary.

Data Sharing Policy
Research Data Policy and Data Availability Guidelines

Research Data Policy

JASS supports responsible data sharing as a means of enhancing transparency, reproducibility, and collaborative knowledge-building within the academic community. Authors are encouraged to make research data underlying their findings openly accessible, provided such sharing complies with ethical, legal, and institutional requirements, especially where data involve human participants or sensitive information.

Data sharing is not mandatory but is strongly recommended when feasible and appropriate.

Data Sharing Expectations

Authors are encouraged to deposit their datasets in trusted public repositories, where others can access, verify, and reuse the data for future research.

Exceptions to data sharing may apply in cases involving:

Confidentiality or participant privacy
National security considerations
Intellectual property restrictions
Legal or contractual limitations

In such cases, authors must clearly justify the reasons for data unavailability.

Data Availability Statements

All submitted manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement, located at the end of the manuscript under the “Statements and Declarations” section. This statement should clarify whether and how the data supporting the results can be accessed.

Below are acceptable examples:

Data Available in a Public Repository
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the [Repository Name] repository, accessible at: [Persistent Link].
Data Available on Request
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
No Data Available
No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of repository links and for maintaining the accessibility of deposited data. When possible, datasets should be assigned a DOI or other persistent identifier.

Desk Rejection Policy

To maintain academic quality and ensure alignment with the journal’s standards, JASS applies a desk rejection policy during the initial editorial review. Manuscripts may be rejected prior to peer review for any of the following reasons:

Irrelevant Scope
The subject matter does not align with the journal’s stated aims and scope.
Ethical Violations
Concerns regarding plagiarism (similarity index exceeding 25%), lack of ethics approval, or non-compliance with international publication ethics guidelines.
Limited Contribution
The manuscript lacks originality, significance, or fails to contribute new insights to the field.
Methodological Flaws
Major weaknesses in study design or inappropriate use of research methods.
Unclear Objectives
The research purpose or hypotheses are not clearly articulated.
Poor Organization
The manuscript lacks essential sections or is structurally disorganized.
Language and Writing Issues
Submissions containing frequent grammatical or syntactical errors that hinder understanding.
Non-Compliance with Submission Guidelines
Failure to follow the journal’s formatting, reference style, or file submission requirements.

Authors whose manuscripts are desk-rejected will be informed promptly, along with a brief explanation of the reason for rejection.

Duplicate submission/publication

JASS considers duplicate submission or publication a serious violation of publication ethics. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that:

The work is not under review elsewhere.
The manuscript has not been previously published in the same or another language.

If duplicate submission or publication is detected, the manuscript will be rejected immediately, and future submissions from the author may be subject to editorial restrictions.

Acceptable Secondary Publications

Exceptions may be made for translated articles or secondary submissions if they fully comply with ICMJE recommendations, including:

Prior permission from the original copyright holder.
Full disclosure to the receiving journal’s editor.
Transparent declaration that the article is a translation.
Proper citation of the original version.

Failure to follow these requirements will result in rejection and may lead to further action in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Funding

All authors must provide a Funding Statement disclosing financial support received for the research and/or publication. This includes:

The name of the funding body or sponsor
The grant number(s), if applicable
A statement describing the role of the funder, if any, in study design, data collection, analysis, writing, or submission

If the funder had no involvement, this must be clearly stated.

Examples:

This research was funded by Sultan Qaboos University [grant number 2023-XYZ]. The funder had no role in the study design or manuscript preparation.
The authors received no financial support for the research or publication of this article.

All funding statements must be accurate and comply with the requirements of the funding agency.

Editors Responsibilities

Manuscripts submitted to the journal are evaluated by the editorial board based on their scholarly merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s aim and scope, with decisions made without regard for an author’s nationality, institutional affiliation, or gender. The editorial review process also considers legal issues such as plagiarism and copyright violations. All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential until publication, and editors may not use unpublished material for their own research without explicit permission from the author. Editors must also avoid handling manuscripts when conflicts of interest arise, such as personal or professional relationships with the author. To ensure research and publication integrity, JASS follows a strict peer-review process, and in cases of suspected misconduct—including plagiarism, data falsification, or redundant publication—the editorial board takes appropriate corrective action, issuing corrections or clarifications as needed.

Images and figures

JASS adheres to strict ethical standards regarding the inclusion of photographs, videos, audio recordings, and experimental images in published content. Authors are responsible for ensuring the integrity, legality, and cultural sensitivity of all visual materials submitted with their manuscripts.

Consent for Publication

Photographs, video, or audio recordings that may reveal the identity of study participants may only be included if:

Informed consent to publish has been obtained from the individual.
For minors or vulnerable populations, consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian.
For deceased individuals, consent must come from the next of kin or legally authorized representative.

A statement confirming that consent has been obtained must be included in the manuscript. The editorial office may request copies of the consent documentation.

Cultural Sensitivity and Respect

Authors must consider cultural and community sensitivities associated with visual representations, especially when:

Depicting deceased individuals, human remains, or sacred sites.
Conducting research involving indigenous or local communities with specific ethical protocols.

In such cases, researchers must consult and obtain approval from the appropriate community or cultural authority, in line with ethical guidelines and respectful publishing practices.

Image Accuracy and Modification Disclosure

All experimental images (e.g., microscopy, radiography, or other photographic data) must:

Accurately reflect the original data.
Avoid any misleading alterations.
Include a disclosure in the figure legend of any image processing performed (e.g., contrast adjustment, brightness enhancement).

Only uniform image enhancements that do not alter the interpretation of the data are permitted. Authors must:

Describe any modifications, including the software used and version.
Be prepared to provide original, uncropped, unprocessed image files if requested by the editorial office.

Reusing Previously Published Images

Images, figures, or illustrations previously published in other sources may only be reused if:

Authors have obtained explicit written permission from the copyright holder.
A statement of permission is included in the figure legend.
The original source is clearly cited, regardless of whether the material is under copyright or released under an open license.

Misconduct

JASS is firmly committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record and upholding the highest standards of ethical publishing. The journal adopts and implements the principles and procedures recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in handling all allegations of misconduct.

Misconduct, whether related to research practices or publication ethics, undermines the trustworthiness of the academic community. When evidence of misconduct is identified, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include:

Rejection of the manuscript
Retraction or correction of published articles
Notification of authors’ institutions, funders, or regulatory bodies
Temporary or permanent ban on future submissions
Public disclosure of corrective notices

Examples of Misconduct Include (but are not limited to):

Misrepresentation of affiliation or academic credentials
Violation of copyright or use of third-party materials without permission
Plagiarism or self-plagiarism (text recycling) without proper attribution
Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data, images, or figures
Undisclosed conflicts of interest
Duplicate submission or publication of the same work in multiple venues
Citation manipulation, including excessive self-citation or citation padding
Tampering with the peer review process, such as suggesting fake reviewers or interfering with independent review
Ethics dumping – the practice of conducting unethical or exploitative research, particularly in vulnerable communities or regions
Conducting research involving human or animal subjects without appropriate ethical approval

All authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to act with honesty, transparency, and integrity. Suspected cases of misconduct should be reported to the editorial office at , where they will be evaluated in confidence and in accordance with COPE procedures.