Publication Ethics

Stanzaleaf International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies(SLIJMS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical publishing practices. The journal takes all reasonable steps to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the publication process and strictly opposes any form of publication malpractice.

This statement defines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher involved in the publication of scholarly work in SLIJMS.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to SLIJMS are expected to adhere to the following ethical principles:

  1. Originality and Plagiarism

    • Manuscripts must be original works of the authors.

    • All sources used must be properly cited and acknowledged.

    • Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and duplicate publication, is strictly prohibited.

  2. Multiple or Concurrent Submissions

    • Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal.

    • Manuscripts previously published or under consideration elsewhere will not be accepted.

  3. Authorship and Contribution

    • All listed authors must have made a significant scholarly contribution to the research.

    • Any changes in authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and the editor.

  4. Data Integrity and Accuracy

    • Authors must ensure that the data presented in the manuscript are accurate and honestly reported.

    • Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is unethical and unacceptable.

  5. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

    • Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence their research outcomes.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors of SLIJMS are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the academic record and ensuring a fair publication process:

  • Editorial decisions are based solely on the manuscript’s academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

  • Editors ensure a confidential and unbiased peer review process.

  • Manuscripts are evaluated without discrimination based on authors’ gender, race, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.

  • Editors take appropriate action in cases of suspected ethical misconduct, including rejection, retraction, or correction of published articles.

  • Editors maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining scholarly standards and are expected to:

  • Review manuscripts objectively, constructively, and within the agreed time frame.

  • Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.

  • Identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.

  • Declare any conflicts of interest and decline the review if such conflicts exist.

  • Refrain from using unpublished material for personal research purposes.

Publisher’s Responsibility

The publisher of SLIJMS is committed to:

  • Supporting editorial independence and ethical publishing practices.

  • Ensuring transparency in journal operations and policies.

  • Taking corrective actions such as issuing corrections, clarifications, or retractions when ethical issues are identified.

  • Preserving the academic record through permanent digital archiving of published content.

Handling of Ethical Misconduct

In cases of suspected misconduct such as plagiarism, data falsification, or unethical research practices:

  • The editorial team will conduct a preliminary investigation.

  • Authors may be asked to provide explanations or supporting documentation.

  • Appropriate actions, including rejection, correction, or retraction, will be taken in accordance with ethical publishing standards.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

SLIJMS follows internationally recognized best practices in scholarly publishing and publication ethics inspired by the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Conclusion

By submitting a manuscript to SLIJMS, authors, reviewers, and editors agree to comply with this Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement. The journal is committed to maintaining trust, credibility, and integrity in academic publishing.