The Journal of Economics, Business & Social Sciences (JEBSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing practices. The journal adheres to internationally recognized principles of scholarly publishing and follows the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics.

The editorial policies of JEBSS ensure that all submissions are evaluated fairly, transparently, and rigorously, while protecting the rights of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Peer Review Policy

JEBSS operates a double-blind peer review process. In this system, the identities of both the authors and the reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process.

The peer review process involves the following stages:

1. Initial editorial screening

   All submissions are first evaluated by the editorial office and the Editor-in-Chief to determine whether the manuscript falls within the journal's scope and meets basic scholarly standards.

2. Desk Review Decision

   Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s scope, formatting requirements, or minimum academic quality may be rejected at this stage without external review.

3. Reviewer Assignment

   Manuscripts passing the initial screening are sent to at least two independent expert reviewers with relevant subject expertise.

4. Review Evaluation

   Reviewers assess the manuscript according to criteria including originality, methodological rigor, theoretical contribution, clarity of argument, and relevance to the journal.

5. Editorial Decision

   Based on reviewer reports, the editor may issue one of the following decisions:

   • Accept
   • Minor revisions
   • Major revisions
   • Reject
6. Revision Process

   Authors are required to respond to reviewer comments and submit a revised manuscript where applicable.

7. Final Decision

   The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision regarding publication.

The journal aims to complete the peer review process within 6-8 weeks, although timelines may vary depending on reviewer availability.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently and are based solely on the academic merit of the manuscript. The editorial board ensures that all submissions are evaluated without discrimination based on the authors’ nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, political views, or personal beliefs.

Editors are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the editorial process and ensuring that ethical standards are respected throughout the publication workflow.

Plagiarism and Originality Policy

All manuscripts submitted to JEBSS must represent original work that has not been previously published and is not under consideration elsewhere.

The journal uses plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions for similarity and potential academic misconduct.

Manuscripts may be rejected if they contain:

• Plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Duplicate publication
• Fabricated or falsified data
• Improper citation practises

If plagiarism or research misconduct is identified after publication, the journal reserves the right to issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could influence the interpretation or evaluation of a manuscript.

Examples of potential conflicts of interest include:

• Financial funding or sponsorship
• institutional affiliations
• Personal or professional relationships with authors or reviewers
• Competing academic or commercial interests

Authors must include a conflict of interest statement in their manuscript submission. Reviewers and editors must also declare any conflicts before participating in the evaluation process.

If a conflict of interest is identified, the editor may assign the manuscript to another reviewer or editor.

Data Integrity and Research Transparency

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data presented in their research. Where applicable, authors are encouraged to provide access to datasets, methodological details, and research materials to promote transparency and replicability.

The journal expects authors to maintain proper documentation of their research data and to cooperate with editors if verification is required.

Authorship Policy

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research. All authors listed on a manuscript must have:

• Contributed substantially to the research design, data collection, or analysis
• Participated in drafting or revising the manuscript
• Approved the final version of the manuscript
• Agreed to be accountable for the content of the work

Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If errors or ethical issues are identified in a published article, the journal will take appropriate corrective action. This may include:

• Publishing a correction notice
• Issuing an expression of concern
• Retracting the article

Retractions will be conducted in accordance with the best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics.

The goal of these measures is to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Confidentiality

Editors and reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Information about a manuscript should not be shared with anyone other than individuals directly involved in the review and editorial process.

Unpublished materials from submitted manuscripts must not be used for personal research without explicit permission from the authors.

Ethical Oversight

Research involving human participants, personal data, or sensitive materials must comply with relevant ethical standards and institutional guidelines.

Authors may be required to provide:

• Institutional ethics approval documentation
• Evidence of informed consent
• Compliance with relevant legal and ethical regulations

Failure to meet ethical requirements may result in rejection of the manuscript.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in articles published in JEBSS belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal or its editorial board.

The journal does not assume responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of published information.