The Journal relies on the diligence of reviewers to identify any potential breaches of publication ethics prior to publication. Reviewers are expected to remain vigilant for issues such as plagiarism, duplicate or simultaneous submission, redundant publication, and any other form of unethical research or publishing practice.
To maintain the integrity and impartiality of the peer-review process, individuals with the following relationships or circumstances are generally avoided as reviewers:
- Recent or ongoing collaboration with the authors
- Prior involvement in reviewing or commenting on drafts of the manuscript
- Direct academic or professional competition with the authors
- A known history of disagreement or dispute with the authors
- Any financial, personal, or professional interest that could influence the review outcome
While the Editorial Office takes care in selecting impartial reviewers, it may not always be aware of all potential conflicts of interest. For this reason, reviewers are expected to disclose any situation that could reasonably be perceived as a conflict of interest and to inform the Editorial Office promptly.
Where members of the Editorial Board, or their close collaborators, are listed as authors on a submission, they are excluded from all stages of the editorial and review process to ensure full transparency and objectivity.
