Ethics Policy

Purpose

Impact Compass Journals are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. This policy outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher in line with internationally recognised guidelines, such as those from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

  1. Editorial Responsibilities
  • Editorial Independence: Editors make decisions based solely on the manuscript’s scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance, without discrimination based on the authors’ personal characteristics or affiliations.
  • Confidentiality: All submitted manuscripts and related correspondence are treated as confidential and are not shared beyond those directly involved in the review and publication process.
  • Conflicts of Interest:  The authors declare no conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
  • Corrections and Retractions: The journal issues corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary, following COPE guidelines, to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
  1. Author Responsibilities
  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must submit only original works that have not been published or submitted elsewhere. All sources must be cited appropriately. Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and redundant publications were strictly prohibited.
  • Authorship: Only those who have made significant contributions to the research and writing are listed as authors. All contributors must be appropriately acknowledged.
  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose all sources of funding, relevant financial or non-financial interests, and any potential conflicts of interest that could influence this research.
  • Ethical Research Standards: Research involving human or animal subjects must comply with the relevant ethical standards and obtain the necessary approval. Ethical approval must be provided upon request.
  • Inclusive Language: Authors must use culturally sensitive and inclusive language, avoiding terminology that could be interpreted as hostile or offensive based on group differences, such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, or health.
  1. Reviewer Responsibilities
  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat manuscripts and related data as confidential and not use them for personal advantage.
  • Objectivity: Reviews should be objective, constructive, and free of personal biases.
  • Conflicts of Interest:  The authors declare no conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing where such conflicts exist.
  • Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete reviews within the agreed timeframe and notify the editorial office of any delays.
  1. Publisher Responsibilities
  • Integrity of the Record: The publisher supports the editorial team in investigating and addressing allegations of misconduct, ensuring that corrections and retractions are made as needed.
  • Archiving and Data Retention: All manuscripts and substantive correspondence are securely stored and accessible for editorial and audit purposes.
  • Transparency: Journal policies, including those on copyright, licencing, and advertising, are published on the journal website.
  1. Misconduct and Investigations
  • Allegations of Misconduct: The journal investigates all allegations of ethical misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, data manipulation, redundant publication) following COPE procedures. Proven cases may result in rejection, retraction, institutional notification, or other corrective actions.
  • Appeals:  The authors have the right to appeal to editorial decisions by providing detailed justification, which will be reviewed by the editorial board.
  1. Governance
  • Editorial Board: The journal maintains a diverse and qualified editorial board, with publicly listed members’ names and affiliations. The board composition is reviewed regularly, and members are given clear guidelines on their roles and responsibilities.
  • Annual Review: The journal compiles annual reports with recommendations for improvement, which are considered by the editorial board and publisher.
  1. Commitment to Best Practice

Impact Compass Journals adhere to the COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines as well as relevant national and international standards to ensure ethical, transparent, and trustworthy scholarly publishing. This policy is reviewed regularly to reflect evolving best practices in academic publishing.