Ethics Policy

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement 

Updated: December 2024 

The Journal of Law and Development is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing. As part of this commitment, the journal follows the COPE Code of Conduct and guidelines for editors and publishers, as well as the recommendations of the ICMJE for ethical practices in conducting, reporting, editing, and publishing scholarly work. Below is a summary of key ethical principles. For complete details, please refer to the full COPE and ICMJE documents. 

Responsibilities of Editors 

Editorial Independence and Fairness

Editors evaluate manuscripts based solely on their academic merit—such as originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal's scope—without considering the authors' personal characteristics, including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or institutional affiliation. Editorial decisions are independent of outside influences, including government or organizational policies, and rest solely with the Editor-in-Chief. 

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial team members must keep all information regarding submitted manuscripts confidential, sharing details only with the corresponding author, reviewers, and necessary editorial staff. 

Conflict of Interest and Disclosure

Editors will not use unpublished information from a manuscript for personal research or gain without written consent from the authors. If an editor has a conflict of interest with the manuscript’s authors, institutions, or funding sources, they must recuse themselves and delegate the review process to another editorial team member. 

Publication Decisions

All manuscripts are subject to peer review by at least two experts in the field. The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision to publish, considering the manuscript's scientific merit, relevance, and compliance with legal and ethical standards. Consultation with other editors or reviewers may be sought when necessary. 

Addressing Ethical Concerns

If ethical concerns arise regarding a manuscript or published article, editors will work with the publisher to investigate and address the issue, following COPE guidelines. Actions may include issuing corrections, retractions, or statements of concern. 

Responsibilities of Reviewers 

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer reviewers provide critical input that helps editors decide whether to publish a manuscript. Their feedback also helps authors improve their work. 

Timeliness

Reviewers who are unable to complete their review promptly or feel unqualified to assess the manuscript should notify the editors immediately. 

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential and not discussed with others unless explicitly authorised by the Editor-in-Chief. 

Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

Reviews should be objective and focus on providing clear, well-supported critiques. Personal criticism of the authors is unacceptable. 

Acknowledgement of Sources

Reviewers should identify any uncited but relevant work and inform editors if they detect substantial overlap with other published or submitted manuscripts. 

Conflict of Interest and Disclosure

Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest—whether due to competitive, collaborative, or other relationships—and decline to review manuscripts if a conflict exists. Unpublished information obtained during peer review must not be used for personal advantage. 

Responsibilities of Authors 

Accuracy and Integrity

Authors must present an honest and accurate account of their research, including sufficient detail and references to allow replication. False statements or data manipulation are unacceptable. 

Data Transparency and Retention

Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review and must be willing to make their data publicly accessible if required. Data should be preserved for at least ten years, subject to confidentiality and legal restrictions. 

Originality and Plagiarism

Submissions must be original, and authors must properly cite any sources or works that influenced their research. Plagiarism in any form is unethical and prohibited. 

Avoiding Redundant Publications

Authors should not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously or publish overlapping works unless explicitly agreed upon by all parties, with clear acknowledgement of the original publication. 

Authorship Criteria

Only those who made significant contributions to the research and manuscript should be listed as authors. All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged with their consent. 

Ethical Standards

Research involving humans or animals must comply with relevant ethical guidelines and include statements confirming informed consent and approval by appropriate ethics committees. Any hazards associated with the study must be clearly disclosed. 

Addressing Errors

Authors must promptly inform the editors if significant errors are identified in their published work and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions. 

Responsibilities of the Publisher 

Ethical Oversight

The publisher works with editors to address any allegations of misconduct, ensuring that appropriate actions are taken, such as corrections, retractions, or clarifications. 

Archiving and Access

The publisher is committed to the permanent availability and preservation of scholarly research and ensures accessibility by partnering with organisations and maintaining our own digital archive. For details, please check: https://eijas.com/index.php/as/issue/archive

 

By adhering to these principles, the International Journal of Applied Science ensures the integrity and quality of its scholarly publications while fostering a responsible and ethical research environment.