Ethical Principles
The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing, ensuring integrity and transparency throughout the publication process. Our ethics policies are based on established guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other respected organizations. We expect all parties involved in the publication process—authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—to adhere to these ethical standards to promote trust, accountability, and the integrity of academic research.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors submitting to The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law are required to adhere to ethical standards regarding the content and conduct of their research and manuscript preparation:
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Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and properly cites all sources of information and ideas derived from other works. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, or data falsification, is strictly prohibited. All submissions are screened through iThenticate to verify originality. -
Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is essential. Authors should accurately cite any research that influenced their work, providing full reference details in accordance with journal guidelines. -
Authorship Criteria
Only those who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study should be listed as co-authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors meet these criteria and are aware of the submission. -
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that could influence the results or interpretation of their work. Transparency regarding funding sources, affiliations, and other potential influences helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of published research. -
Data Access and Retention
Authors may be asked to provide raw data or supplementary materials related to their study for editorial review. They should be prepared to provide access to such data and retain it for a reasonable time after publication. -
Ethical Approval and Informed Consent
Research involving human or animal subjects must have appropriate ethical approvals from relevant institutional or national committees. In cases where research involves human participants, authors must obtain informed consent and respect participants' privacy and confidentiality. -
Reporting Standards
Authors must accurately and honestly report their findings, ensuring clarity and transparency. Research should be presented in a manner that allows others to replicate the study and verify its findings. -
Corrections and Retractions
If authors discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work, they are obligated to promptly notify the editor and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions as necessary.
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors of The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law play a pivotal role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the publication process. Their responsibilities include:
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Editorial Independence
Editors have full authority to accept or reject manuscripts based solely on academic merit, originality, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Decisions are free from commercial or personal biases, and editors maintain an objective approach when reviewing submissions. -
Confidentiality
Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts, treating them as privileged documents. Information related to the submissions may only be disclosed to the corresponding author, reviewers, or editorial advisors, as necessary. -
Conflict of Interest
Editors should recuse themselves from processing manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest due to personal relationships, collaborative research, or financial interests. In such cases, an alternate editor or associate editor will handle the manuscript. -
Fairness and Impartiality
Editors should treat all manuscripts fairly, avoiding any form of discrimination based on personal characteristics, affiliations, or beliefs of the authors. Editorial decisions are guided solely by the academic merit of the work. -
Decision-Making and Timeliness
Editors are responsible for ensuring that each submission undergoes a thorough and timely peer-review process. They must communicate decisions, along with constructive feedback, to authors promptly and work towards maintaining efficient editorial workflows. -
Handling Ethical Complaints
In cases of suspected ethical violations, editors are responsible for investigating the issue in line with COPE guidelines. They should ensure that any reported misconduct is addressed promptly and thoroughly, taking appropriate action to correct the record when necessary.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Peer reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the quality and integrity of The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law. Their duties include:
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Confidentiality
Reviewers must keep all details of the manuscript, including its content and findings, confidential. They should not discuss or share any part of the manuscript with others, except as authorized by the editor. -
Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
Reviews should be conducted objectively, providing constructive criticism to help authors improve their work. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should provide clear, reasoned comments supported by evidence to facilitate the revision process. -
Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations within the timeframe specified by the journal. If they are unable to meet the deadline or feel unqualified to review the manuscript, they should promptly inform the editor. -
Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence their objectivity. They should decline the review if a conflict arises, such as personal relationships with the author or financial interests in the research. -
Recognition of Sources
Reviewers should identify any relevant published work not cited by the authors. They should alert the editor to any overlap or substantial similarity between the manuscript under review and other published work.
Publisher Responsibilities
The publisher, The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law, is dedicated to overseeing all aspects of the publication process with integrity and professionalism, ensuring adherence to ethical standards. Publisher responsibilities include:
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Publication Ethics Guidelines
The publisher works closely with the journal’s editorial team to ensure all aspects of publication, including authorship, conflict of interest disclosures, and peer-review standards, adhere to ethical guidelines. -
Corrections and Retractions
The publisher, along with the editors, is committed to promptly addressing and correcting any instances of research misconduct, errors, or ethical breaches. Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued to maintain the accuracy and trustworthiness of the scientific record. -
Supporting Ethical Research
The publisher provides clear guidelines for authors, editors, and reviewers, outlining best practices for ethical research and publishing. Training, guidance, and resources are provided to uphold high ethical standards across all aspects of the journal’s operation. -
Monitoring Ethical Practices
The publisher continually monitors industry best practices and updates its policies and procedures to align with emerging ethical standards in academic publishing. Any unethical behavior reported by authors, reviewers, or readers is promptly investigated, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Addressing Ethical Misconduct
The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law follows COPE guidelines for handling ethical complaints and misconduct. Any allegations of misconduct, whether raised before or after publication, are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Steps may include contacting the author(s), conducting an investigation, and, where necessary, retracting or correcting published content. The journal is committed to transparent communication with all parties involved and strives to resolve issues professionally and in accordance with ethical standards.
Conclusion
The Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence and Law is committed to fostering a culture of ethical research and publishing. By adhering to these standards, we ensure that the journal serves as a reliable, credible source of knowledge in comparative jurisprudence and law. Ethical publishing practices strengthen trust in the academic community, and we encourage our authors, reviewers, editors, and readers to uphold these principles to advance research integrity and scholarly communication.
