Publication Ethics

Introduction
The Ma-Hasal Journal is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. This Publication Ethics policy outlines the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the publication process. The journal adheres to the principles set forth by international bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality and Plagiarism

  • Authors must ensure that their work is original and has not been published elsewhere.
  • Proper attribution and citation of all sources and influences are required.
  • Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.

1.2 Data Accuracy and Transparency

  • Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their data and ensuring that results are reproducible.
  • Fabrication, falsification, or selective omission of data are unethical and unacceptable.

1.3 Authorship Criteria

  • Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the research.
  • All contributors who meet the authorship criteria should be listed, and their roles should be clearly defined.
  • The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have approved the final manuscript.

1.4 Multiple Submissions

  • Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently.
  • Submitting a manuscript already published in another journal constitutes unethical behavior.

1.5 Conflict of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

2.1 Confidentiality

  • Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.
  • They should not disclose or discuss the content of a manuscript with anyone outside the review process.

2.2 Objectivity and Impartiality

  • Reviews must be conducted objectively, with constructive feedback provided to improve the manuscript.
  • Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate and unacceptable.

2.3 Acknowledgment of Sources

  • Reviewers should identify any instances where relevant work is not cited.
  • If they detect plagiarism or other ethical concerns, they must inform the editorial team immediately.

2.4 Conflict of Interest

  • Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where there is a potential conflict of interest, such as financial, institutional, or personal relationships with the authors.

3. Responsibilities of Editors

3.1 Fair and Transparent Decisions

  • Editors must ensure that the decision to accept or reject a manuscript is based solely on its academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Decisions should be free from bias regarding the authors’ race, gender, religious beliefs, citizenship, or political philosophy.

3.2 Confidentiality

  • The editorial team must ensure that information about submitted manuscripts is disclosed only to the corresponding author, reviewers, and other editorial advisors, as necessary.

3.3 Addressing Ethical Concerns

  • Editors must take prompt action when ethical concerns arise, such as allegations of plagiarism, duplicate publication, or research misconduct.
  • They are responsible for conducting fair and transparent investigations into such allegations and taking appropriate corrective actions, such as issuing retractions or corrections.

3.4 Conflict of Interest

  • Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a potential conflict of interest.

4. Ethical Oversight

4.1 Research Involving Humans or Animals

  • Authors must ensure that research involving human participants or animals adheres to ethical standards, such as obtaining informed consent and ethical approval from appropriate bodies.
  • Manuscripts must include a statement confirming compliance with ethical standards.

4.2 Retractions and Corrections

  • Articles will be retracted or corrected if significant errors or ethical violations are discovered post-publication.
  • Retractions will include a detailed explanation of the reasons and will remain part of the journal's permanent record.

5. Conflict Resolution

  • Any disputes or allegations related to publication ethics will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.
  • Appeals may be submitted in writing, and decisions will be made by the editorial board.

6. Policy Updates

The Ma-Hasal Journal periodically reviews and updates its Publication Ethics policy to reflect best practices in academic publishing. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to remain informed about these updates.

Conclusion
The Ma-Hasal Journal’s commitment to ethical publishing ensures the credibility of its content and the trust of its authors, reviewers, and readers. By adhering to these guidelines, the journal seeks to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence in academic research.