Publication Policies

Publication Frequency

The journal is published quarterly (four issues per year) under a continuous publication model, where articles are made available online immediately upon acceptance and finalisation of editorial processes. This ensures the rapid dissemination of research findings while providing a structured organisation of quarterly issues.

Manuscript Submission and Authorship

All submitted manuscripts must be original works that have not been previously published or are not under consideration elsewhere. Authors must ensure that their submissions adhere to the journal’s formatting and ethical guidelines. Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research. Those who have played a lesser role may be acknowledged but should not be listed as co-authors. 

Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain full copyright of their published work, ensuring they have control over their intellectual property. To promote accessibility and the dissemination of knowledge, the journal publishes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. This allows unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of articles, provided proper attribution is given to the original authors and source.

Archiving and Preservation

To ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of published content, the journal is archived in the following services: PKP Preservation Network (PN), LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe), CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS), and DOI (Digital Object Identifier).

Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process. This ensures impartiality, as both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and are expected to provide constructive feedback, assess the originality and significance of the work, and maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed before reviewing a manuscript. The final decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection rests with the editorial board, guided by reviewer recommendations and the journal’s quality standards.

Conflicts of Interest

All parties involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, and editors, must disclose any financial, professional, or personal conflicts of interest that could influence their work. Transparency in reporting conflicts ensures the integrity of the journal and fosters trust within the academic community.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of another author’s words, ideas, or data without proper attribution, as well as self-plagiarism where an author reuses their previously published work without appropriate referencing. If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected immediately. In cases where plagiarism is identified after publication, the article may be retracted, and appropriate actions will be taken as per COPE guidelines. Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their work and must properly cite all sources.

Ethical Considerations and Research Integrity

The journal upholds strict ethical standards to maintain the credibility of academic publishing. Plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of research misconduct are not tolerated. In cases where ethical concerns arise, the journal follows guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to investigate and address misconduct. If an ethical violation is confirmed, appropriate actions—including retraction or correction—will be taken.

Corrections and Retractions

If an article is found to contain minor errors, corrections will be made directly within the original text. In cases where significant issues compromise the integrity of the research, the journal may issue a formal correction notice or retract the article altogether. Retractions are only issued when errors or ethical violations substantially undermine the validity of the research findings.

Compliance with Funders and Institutions

We support authors in meeting the open access requirements of their funding agencies or institutions. Our open access policy and CC BY license align with the mandates of major funders. Authors are encouraged to review their funder’s policies and include any necessary acknowledgments or statements in their manuscripts. By publishing in this journal, authors can ensure compliance with these requirements while maximizing the reach and impact of their work.

Funding Disclosure 

Authors must disclose all sources of funding for their research, including grant numbers and institutional support. This information will be published alongside the article to ensure transparency.

Article Processing Charges (APCs) 

To support open access publishing, the journal charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance. Waivers or discounts may be available for authors from low-income countries or those facing financial hardship.  

Encouraging Academic Debate

The journal values intellectual discourse and welcomes constructive criticisms of published research. Scholars are encouraged to submit formal responses to published articles, allowing for a dynamic exchange of ideas. Authors of original articles will be given the opportunity to reply to critiques, fostering open and constructive scholarly debate.

Handling Complaints

Authors, reviewers, and readers who have concerns about editorial decisions, ethical issues, or publication practices may submit complaints to the editorial office. The journal is committed to addressing grievances promptly and fairly. If a dispute cannot be resolved internally, unresolved matters may be referred to COPE or another appropriate academic body for guidance.