Ethics

  Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

(Based on Elsevier recommendations and the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors)

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication: The publication of an article in the scientific journals of the University of Granada represents a continuous process of knowledge building. It is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of the authors and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method; therefore, it is essential to establish standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the editorial process: authors, editors, reviewers, the publisher, and the academic community supporting the journal.

The University of Granada assumes with utmost responsibility its role as a guarantor at all stages of the publishing process, ensuring compliance with ethical and professional principles. Furthermore, it is committed to ensuring that commercial revenues derived from advertising, reprints, or other sources do not affect or influence editorial decisions. In this regard, the Editorial Board will facilitate communication with other journals and publishers should it be necessary.

  Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards: Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance. The underlying data should be represented accurately and detailed in the manuscript, providing sufficient information to permit replication of the study. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical publishing behavior and are unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention: Authors may be asked to provide the raw data in connection with a paper for editorial review, and they should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable time after publication.

Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that they have written entirely original works. If the authors have used the work and/or words of others, this must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication: An author should not, in general, publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Acknowledgement of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work. Information obtained privately, such as in conversation, correspondence, or project evaluations, must not be used without explicit, written permission from the source.

Authorship of the Paper: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All co-authors must have seen and approved the final version of the paper and have agreed to its submission for publication.

Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects: If the work involves hazardous chemicals, risky procedures, or the use of animal or human subjects, authors must clearly identify these in the manuscript and include a statement of compliance with relevant institutional and legal regulations. In the case of research involving human subjects, authors must state that informed consent was obtained.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflict of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project should also be disclosed.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works: When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their own published work, it is the author’s obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with the editor to retract or correct the paper.

  Duties of Editors

Publication Decisions: The editor is responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal will be published, based on the academic and scientific relevance of the work. These decisions must align with the policies of the Editorial Board and are constrained by current legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.

Fair Play: Manuscripts must be evaluated solely for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.

Confidentiality: The editor and any editorial staff must guarantee the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, and must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone outside the review process.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Editors must not use unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research without the express written consent of the author. They must also recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.

Involvement and Cooperation in Investigations: The editor must take reasonably responsive measures when ethical complaints have been presented concerning a submitted manuscript or published paper. If misconduct is confirmed, measures such as the retraction of the article or the publication of a correction note will be taken.

  Duties of reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Peer reviewers play a fundamental role in the editorial process, assisting editors in making informed decisions and providing suggestions to authors to improve their manuscripts.

Promptness: Any selected referee who feels unqualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or knows that its prompt review will be impossible should notify the editor and excuse themselves from the review process.

Confidentiality: Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shared or discussed with others without authorization from the editor.

Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively and constructively, avoiding personal criticism of the authors. Referees should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.

Acknowledgement of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. They should also call to the editor's attention any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must refuse to evaluate manuscripts in which they have personal, academic, or financial conflicts of interest.

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  Editoral policy on the Use of AI