Publication Ethics
BELTIC Journal prioritizes the highest levels of integrity in scholarly publishing and actively works to prevent any form of misconduct. By strictly aligning with the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the journal requires all contributors—including authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers—to uphold these ethical standards throughout the publication process.
Author Duties
- Originality & Exclusivity: Manuscripts must be original work. They must not have been previously published, nor should they be currently under consideration by any other journal.
- Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism: All sources must be explicitly credited. Authors must avoid any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism; any violation will result in the immediate rejection of the manuscript.
- Data Integrity: Authors are responsible for the validity of their research. The fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is strictly forbidden.
- Transparency in Contributions: All individuals who contributed to the study, as well as all funding sources, must be properly acknowledged.
- Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any relevant personal, financial, or professional conflicts of interest that could influence their work.
Post-Publication Responsibility: If an author discovers a significant error in their work after it has been published, they must notify the editor immediately and cooperate fully with the necessary correction or retraction process.
Editor Duties
- Editorial Decision-Making: The editorial team is responsible for the final determination of a manuscript's status, evaluating submissions based on their originality, scientific quality, relevance, and alignment with the journal’s scope.
- Impartiality and Confidentiality: Editors must facilitate a fair, unbiased peer-review process. They are expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all submissions and must actively avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
- Addressing Misconduct: Editors are committed to the integrity of the journal and will promptly investigate any reports of research or publication malpractice. When necessary, they will take decisive action, including issuing corrections, retracting articles, or restricting future submissions from those involved.
Reviewer Duties
- Assessment Standards: Reviewers are expected to offer impartial, constructive, and timely critiques that focus exclusively on the scholarly merit of the submission.
- Professionalism & Confidentiality: All evaluations must remain professional and free of personal bias. Furthermore, reviewers are required to uphold the strict confidentiality of the manuscript throughout the process.
- Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and are obligated to decline the review invitation if these conflicts might compromise their ability to provide an unbiased assessment.
- Reporting Concerns: Should a reviewer identify potential research or publication misconduct, they are encouraged to contact the editor immediately to share their concerns in strict confidence.
Publisher Duties
Paraphrase the following list:
- The publisher supports the editorial board in ensuring that publication ethics are maintained and that any suspected misconduct is properly addressed.
The publisher is committed to the long-term preservation of published content and to the integrity of the academic record.
