Editor Ethics 

1. Editors uphold internationally recognized publication ethics and prioritize the prevention of conflicts of interest among editors, journal staff, authors, reviewers, and the editorial board.

2. Editors are responsible for preparing and regularly updating clear, current, and comprehensive author guidelines that align with the journal’s submission standards.

3. Editors support the accuracy and academic integrity of published articles by

    3.1 Implementing measures to ensure research quality, with particular attention to novelty, clarity of content, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

    3.2 Establishing a review process conducted by expert peer reviewers with subject-matter expertise, maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, and protecting reviewers’ personal data.

    3.3 Promptly and transparently correcting any inaccuracies, misleading statements, or distortions identified in published articles.

    3.4 Clearly retracting articles in proven cases of academic misconduct, supported by evidence, and issuing a retraction notice to readers and relevant indexing databases.

4. Editors must conduct rigorous and systematic checks for plagiarism.

5. Editors must not alter decisions regarding manuscripts that have been rejected, nor reverse prior editorial decisions to publish manuscripts previously declined by a former editor, except where compelling evidence demonstrates a serious issue affecting the original decision.

6. Editors must provide a formal channel for authors to appeal editorial decisions and, when appropriate, explain the peer review process.

7. Editors must provide a channel for complaints and respond to them appropriately and in a timely manner.

Reviewer Ethics 

1. Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all information contained in the manuscript and must not disclose it to any unauthorized individuals throughout the review process.

2. Reviewers must have no conflicts of interest with the authors or their affiliated institutions. If any conflict of interest is identified, the reviewer must immediately decline the review.

3. Reviewers should accept for review only manuscripts that fall within their area of expertise and for which they can provide objective, academically substantive comments.

Author Ethics 

1. Authors must not submit duplicate manuscripts, including submitting a manuscript under review in one journal to another journal for consideration.

2. Authors must not copy the work or text of others in a way that misleads readers into believing it is their own work. If the work of others is used, proper academic citation must be provided.

3. Authors must prepare the manuscript in accordance with the journal’s format, particularly ensuring that references are accurate and complete.

4. Authors must not fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data for inclusion in the manuscript.

5. Authors must disclose sources of research funding in the manuscript and list only the names of individuals who contributed to or were involved in the preparation of the manuscript.

6. Authors must promptly notify the editor if any errors are discovered in the research that affect the conclusions of a manuscript under review or an article already published.

Human and Animal Research Ethics 

1. Ethics Approval Documentation: For research involving humans or experimental animals, authors must attach an ethics approval certificate issued by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The approval number and date must be clearly stated in the Materials and Methods section of the manuscript.

2. Voluntary Informed Consent (Human Research Only): Authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants or data providers. The type of consent (written, verbal, or parental consent for minors) must be specified, along with measures for protecting personal data and ensuring anonymity.

3. Animal Welfare and Reduction of Animal Use (Animal Research Only): Authors must state that the experiment complied with animal welfare principles and adhered to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Measures to minimize pain, stress, and appropriate use of anesthesia or humane euthanasia must be described according to standard guidelines.

4. Trial Registration and Standard Guidelines: For clinical or quasi-experimental studies, authors must provide a trial registration number from a recognized public registry and are encouraged to follow relevant reporting standards (e.g., guidelines for animal research reporting).

5. Exemptions and Committee Certification: If the research is deemed exempt from ethics approval (e.g., literature review, use of public or anonymized data), authors must clearly state the reason and attach supporting documentation or confirmation from the responsible committee or institution, if available.

6. Field Research and Protected Species: Studies conducted in the field or involving protected species or areas must include permits or authorization letters from relevant authorities, along with measures to minimize ecological impact and biodiversity disturbance.

7. Compliance with International Standards and Laws: Authors must certify that the research complies with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional guidelines, and respects internationally accepted ethical principles in the relevant discipline.

8. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Funding Sources: Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest and provide complete details of funding sources, confirming that funders had no influence on study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation.

9. Actions in Case of Ethical Violations: If ethical misconduct is identified post-publication, the journal may request additional documentation, issue corrections, or retract the article, and will notify readers and relevant databases as appropriate.