Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Zhedar  Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. The journal takes all necessary measures to prevent publication malpractice and ensure transparency, accountability, and academic integrity throughout the publication process.

This ethics statement follows recognized national and international publishing standards and applies to all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher.

Duties of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to Zhedar are expected to adhere to the following ethical responsibilities:

  • Ensure that submitted manuscripts are original works and do not infringe upon copyright or intellectual property rights.

  • Properly acknowledge and cite all sources of data, text, figures, and ideas not owned by the author.

  • Disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest that may influence the research or its interpretation.

  • Ensure that research involving human participants or animals complies with applicable ethical standards and has received approval from an appropriate ethics committee.

  • Present research data accurately and honestly, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation.

  • Promptly notify the editorial office and cooperate in correcting or retracting published work if significant errors are identified.

Duties of Reviewers

Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the scientific quality of the journal. Reviewers are expected to:

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, fairly, and confidentially.

  • Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback to assist authors in improving their manuscripts.

  • Declare any potential conflicts of interest and decline review assignments when such conflicts exist.

  • Refrain from using unpublished materials or ideas obtained through peer review for personal advantage.

  • Complete reviews in a timely manner and in accordance with the journal’s review guidelines.

Duties of Editors

Editors of Zhedar are responsible for ensuring ethical, transparent, and unbiased editorial practices. Their duties include:

  • Making publication decisions based solely on the manuscript’s academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

  • Ensuring that editorial decisions are free from discrimination or conflicts of interest.

  • Maintaining strict confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related communications.

  • Managing the peer review process with fairness, independence, and academic integrity.

  • Investigating ethical concerns and taking appropriate actions in cases of suspected misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices.

  • Working collaboratively with authors and reviewers to ensure the accuracy, quality, and integrity of published content.

Duties of the Publisher

The publisher of Zhedar plays a central role in supporting ethical scholarly communication. Responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring that editorial independence is respected and protected.

  • Establishing and maintaining clear ethical standards and publishing policies.

  • Supporting the editorial team in implementing best practices in ethical publishing.

  • Providing access to tools and services that promote transparency, integrity, and responsible research dissemination.

  • Safeguarding the long-term availability and integrity of published scholarly content.

Handling of Ethical Violations

Zhedar takes allegations of publication misconduct seriously. The journal will investigate all reported cases of unethical behavior, including but not limited to:

  • Plagiarism

  • Duplicate submission or publication

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Image manipulation

  • Improper authorship practices

If misconduct is suspected or confirmed, the journal may take appropriate corrective actions, which may include:

  • Requesting clarification or revision from the authors

  • Rejecting the manuscript

  • Publishing corrections or expressions of concern

  • Retracting published articles

All investigations and decisions are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).