Ethics Policies

Ethics Committee

Purpose of the Ethics Committee:

The Ethics Committee is responsible for upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the journal’s editorial and publication process. Its key role is to review, assess, and provide recommendations on ethical issues related to submissions, peer review, and publication.

Composition Structure:

The committee shall consist of a diverse group of members with expertise in ethics, the journal’s subject matter, and academic publishing, as follows:

  • Chairperson (1): A senior editorial advisory Board member.
  • Ethics Advisor or Legal Expert (1): A professional with knowledge of research ethics and legal matters in publishing.
  • Senior Editors (2): Representatives from the journal’s editorial board team with experience in handling ethical concerns.
  • Subject Matter Experts (1-2): Experts from disciplines covered by the journal.
  • External Members (1-2): Independent scholars or professionals from outside the journal to provide an unbiased perspective.
  • Secretary (1): A non-voting administrative staff member (Managing Editor or Associate Editors) responsible for organizing meetings and recording decisions.

Membership Appointment:

  • Term: Committee members are appointed for a term of 3 years, with the option for renewal upon mutual agreement, except the Subject matter Experts & External Members. These members are appointed based on requirements on the recommendation of the Ethics Committee in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial board.
  • Selection: Members are selected by the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the editorial board, ensuring a balanced representation of different expertise.
  • Diversity: The composition must reflect diversity in terms of gender, professional background, and geographic location, whenever possible.
  • Training: All members shall receive periodic training on the latest developments in research ethics and publication standards.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Chairperson:
    • Leads the committee’s meetings, sets the agenda, and ensures that all cases are handled efficiently and impartially.
    • Ensures the committee’s decisions are in alignment with the journal’s ethical policies.
  • Ethics Advisor/Legal Expert:
    • Provides advice on ethical dilemmas and legal aspects of manuscript evaluation.
    • Ensures compliance with international ethical standards.
  • Senior Editors:
    • Identify ethical concerns during the manuscript review process and advise on appropriate actions.
    • Provide editorial insight to ensure the ethical integrity of the publication process.
  • Subject Matter Experts:
    • Assess ethical issues in the context of specific disciplines or areas of research.
    • Offer guidance on ethical concerns related to research methodologies and data handling.
  • External Members:
    • Ensure objectivity and transparency by contributing an independent perspective to the discussions and decisions.
  • Secretary:
    • Schedules meetings, maintains records of proceedings, and communicates the committee’s decisions to the appropriate parties.

Conflict of Interest:

  • All members must disclose any potential conflict of interest related to submissions or reviews under consideration.
  • Any member with a conflict of interest must recuse themselves from discussions or decisions on that particular case.

Quorum:

  • A minimum of 50% of the committee members must be present for decisions to be valid.
  • The Chairperson must be present, or an appointed senior member may chair in their absence.

Decision-Making Process:

  • The committee shall conduct a thorough review of all ethical issues, gathering necessary information from authors, reviewers, and editors.
  • Decisions must be based on established ethical guidelines, with fairness and impartiality.
  • The committee’s decisions are binding and will be communicated to all relevant parties, including authors, reviewers, and editors.

Confidentiality:

  • All discussions and decisions of the Ethics Committee are confidential.
  • Committee members must not disclose details of ethical cases to anyone outside the committee unless authorized by the Chairperson or required by law.

Reporting:

  • The Ethics Committee shall provide an annual report to the Editor-in-Chief through secretary and the editorial board, summarizing its activities and recommendations.

Amendments to Regulations:

  • These rules and regulations may be reviewed and amended periodically by the Ethics Committee in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial board.

These regulations ensure the Ethics Committee operates with fairness, transparency, and professionalism in addressing ethical concerns in the journal.