English Version

Academic Book Publication Ethics Policy

(Developed in accordance with COPE principles and guidelines — Committee on Publication Ethics)

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1. This Ethics Policy aims to ensure academic integrity, transparency, and scientific reliability in the submission, peer review, editing, and publication processes of scholarly journals managed through the Academic book platform.

1.2. The policy establishes mandatory rules for authors, editorial boards, reviewers, publishers/platform operators, and all stakeholders.

1.3. The policy governs ethical standards and proper publication management rather than the methodology for evaluating scientific merit.

2. Core Principles

Academic book and its journals adhere to the following principles:

• fairness and impartiality;
• transparency of processes;
• scientific integrity;
• readiness to correct errors;
• confidentiality.

2.1. Fairness and impartiality — decisions are made without discrimination or conflicts of interest.

2.2. Transparency — peer review models, decision-making criteria, fees/costs, and rights are openly declared.

2.3. Scientific integrity — zero tolerance for plagiarism, data fabrication, manipulation, and misconduct.

2.4. Correction readiness — prompt correction of errors, publication of notices, or retraction when necessary.

2.5. Confidentiality — protection of information during the peer review process.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1. Author Responsibilities

Authors must:

• submit original work;
• avoid simultaneous submissions and duplicate publication;
• properly cite all sources;
• avoid plagiarism and self-plagiarism;
• accurately indicate authorship contributions;
• disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources;
• comply with ethical requirements involving human or animal subjects;
• retain data, codes, and calculations when necessary.

3.2. Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial board:

• makes decisions solely on scientific merit and journal scope;
• ensures fair and objective peer review;
• follows COPE procedures in cases of suspected misconduct;
• applies corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions where necessary.

3.3. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

• accept manuscripts only within their expertise;
• maintain confidentiality;
• provide objective and evidence-based evaluations;
• avoid discriminatory or offensive comments.

3.4. Responsibilities of the Academic book Platform

The platform:

• provides journals with ethics policy templates and audit tools;
• supports transparent complaint and appeal procedures.

4. Peer Review Policy

4.1. Each journal determines and publicly declares its peer review model (single-blind, double-blind, open review, etc.).

4.2. Confidentiality, impartiality, and conflict-of-interest principles are strictly maintained during peer review.

4.3. The editorial board may edit reviewer comments for style and ethical compliance.

5. Plagiarism, Duplicate Publication, and Misconduct

The following are strictly prohibited:

• plagiarism;
• duplicate or redundant publication;
• data fabrication or falsification;
• image manipulation;
• peer review manipulation;
• citation manipulation.

Editorial actions are guided by COPE procedures.

6. Authorship Disputes

The editorial board does not serve as the final arbiter in authorship disputes. Relevant institutions are responsible for resolving such conflicts.

7. Complaints and Appeals

Journals must maintain transparent procedures for submitting and reviewing complaints and appeals.

8. Post-Publication Actions

If major errors or ethical concerns are identified, the journal may issue:

• Corrections;
• Expressions of Concern;
• Retractions.

9. Conflicts of Interest and Transparency

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

10. Use of AI and Automated Tools

AI tools may be used for language editing and technical assistance; however, authors remain fully responsible for the scientific content.

11. Sanctions

Confirmed ethical violations may result in:

• revision requests;
• rejection;
• retraction;
• temporary submission bans;
• institutional notification where necessary.

12. Ethics Structure and Contact Information

Each journal shall designate:

• a Publication Ethics Officer or Ethics Committee;
• complaint and appeal channels;
• policies on corrections and retractions.