The Journal of Economics, Business & Social Sciences (JEBSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. The journal follows internationally recognized ethical guidelines and best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics.

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities and expected conduct of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher in order to ensure the credibility and integrity of the scholarly record.

Duties of Editors

Editors of JEBSS are responsible for ensuring the quality, fairness, and integrity of the editorial process.

Publication decisions

Editors evaluate submitted manuscripts solely on the basis of their academic merit, originality, methodological soundness, clarity of argument, and relevance to the scope of the journal. Editorial decisions are independent and free from external influence.

Fair Evaluation

Editors assess manuscripts without discrimination based on authors' race, gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, religious beliefs, or political views.

Confidentiality

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

Conflict of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, financial, or institutional relationships with the authors.

Ethical Oversight

Editors are responsible for addressing suspected research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and unethical research practices. When ethical concerns arise, editors follow procedures consistent with COPE guidelines.

Duties of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the academic quality of the journal.

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers assist editors in making publication decisions by providing objective, constructive, and scholarly evaluations of submitted manuscripts.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with others without authorization from the editor.

Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively and supported by clear arguments and scholarly reasoning. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate.

Promptness

Reviewers should complete their reviews within the timeframe provided by the journal. If a reviewer feels unable to complete the review within the allocated time, they should notify the editor promptly.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist due to personal, professional, or financial relationships with the authors or institutions involved.

Duties of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to JEBSS must adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and responsible research conduct.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and properly cites the work of others. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism and duplicate publication, constitutes unethical behavior and is unacceptable.

Multiple or Concurrent Submission

Authors should not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal. Submitting identical or substantially similar work to multiple publications is considered unethical.

Data Accuracy and Transparency

Authors are responsible for presenting accurate data and results. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of research data is strictly prohibited.

Authors should retain research data and be prepared to provide access to data if requested by editors.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the results or interpretation of their research.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Authors must properly acknowledge the work of others and cite relevant publications that have influenced their research.

Corrections of Errors

If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are obligated to notify the journal immediately and cooperate with editors to correct or retract the article if necessary.

Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher of JEBSS supports editors in maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring transparency in the publication process.

The publisher ensures that:

• Editorial independence is respected.
• Ethical guidelines are implemented consistently.
• Cases of academic misconduct are handled appropriately.
• The integrity of the scholarly record is preserved.

The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct

If allegations of research misconduct arise, the editorial office will investigate the matter following procedures recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Possible actions may include:

• Requesting clarification from the authors
• Conducting an editorial investigation
• Contacting the authors' institutions if necessary
• Publishing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions

These actions are taken to ensure transparency and maintain trust in the academic publication process.

Ethical Standards for Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants must comply with recognized ethical standards and institutional regulations. Authors may be required to provide evidence of:

• Institutional ethics committee approval
• Informed consent from participants
• Compliance with relevant data protection regulations

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

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

JEBSS is dedicated to promoting responsible research practices and maintaining integrity in scholarly publishing. The journal encourages authors, reviewers, and editors to uphold the highest ethical standards in all aspects of academic research and publication.