Editorial Policies

1. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

AJP is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. Authors, editors, and reviewers are required to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure the integrity of the publishing process. This policy addresses:

  • Originality: All manuscripts must be original, with no plagiarism or fraudulent data.
  • Accountability: Authors, editors, and reviewers must ensure the accuracy and ethical integrity of their contributions.
  • Reporting Standards: Research findings should be reported honestly, transparently, and without fabrication.
    AJP follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to handle ethical breaches.

2. Editorial Process

The editorial process ensures a fair and efficient pathway from submission to publication. Key steps include:

  1. Initial Manuscript Screening: The editorial team assesses the submission for scope, originality, and adherence to guidelines.
  2. Peer Review Assignment: Manuscripts are sent to at least two qualified reviewers for detailed evaluation.
  3. Decision Making: Based on reviewers' feedback, the editor decides whether to accept, revise, or reject the manuscript.
  4. Final Checks: Accepted manuscripts are edited for consistency, accuracy, and formatting before publication.
    AJP ensures transparency and timeliness throughout this process.

3. COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism

Plagiarism is taken seriously, and AJP follows COPE’s guidelines for addressing cases of suspected or confirmed plagiarism. These include:

  • Screening: All manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection tools.
  • Actions on Detection: For minor overlaps, authors may be asked to revise their work. Significant plagiarism results in rejection or retraction.
  • Reporting: Instances of plagiarism are reported to the authors’ institutions for further action.

4. Publisher Policies

The publisher of AJP is committed to supporting the journal’s objectives of promoting open access and ethical publishing. Key aspects of publisher policies include:

  • Archiving: Ensuring digital preservation and accessibility of published articles.
  • Transparency: Publishing clear and concise guidelines for authors, editors, and reviewers.
  • Integrity: Providing resources to address ethical issues and ensure adherence to global publishing standards.

5. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (specific to editors)

Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to submissions. Examples include:

  • Financial Interests: Ownership of stocks, funding from organizations, or similar ties.
  • Personal Relationships: Relationships with authors or organizations that might bias editorial decisions.
    To maintain objectivity, editors with conflicts of interest recuse themselves from handling specific manuscripts.

6. Peer Review Process

AJP employs a double-blind peer review process, ensuring anonymity of both reviewers and authors to promote unbiased evaluations.

Peer Review Stages:

  1. Assignment: Manuscripts are assigned to reviewers with relevant expertise.
  2. Review Criteria: Reviewers assess originality, methodology, results, and significance.
  3. Recommendations: Reviewers recommend acceptance, revision, or rejection.
  4. Revisions: Authors address reviewers’ comments, and revisions undergo further review if necessary.

The peer review process ensures scientific rigor and quality control.

7. Creative Commons License

All articles published in AJP are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which allows unrestricted distribution and reuse with proper attribution to the authors. Benefits of this license include:

  • Accessibility: Ensures free access to research for all readers.
  • Reuse: Enables others to adapt, remix, and build upon the work legally.
  • Attribution: Authors receive credit for their work even in derivative uses.

8. COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (specific to editors)

Following COPE’s recommendations, AJP requires editors to:

  1. Declare conflicts of interest before accepting editorial responsibilities for a manuscript.
  2. Take proactive measures to avoid bias, such as assigning the manuscript to another editor.
  3. Ensure that all decisions are based solely on the manuscript's merit, without external influence.
  4. Maintain confidentiality and transparency throughout the editorial process.

9. Advertisement Policies

AJP accepts advertisements to support its operations while adhering to strict policies to avoid conflicts of interest. Guidelines include:

  • Relevance: Advertisements must align with the scope and values of the journal.
  • Independence: Editorial decisions are made independently of advertising revenue.
  • Transparency: Sponsored content or advertisements are clearly labeled to distinguish them from editorial material.

10. Editorial Policies

AJP’s editorial policies are designed to maintain integrity and uphold professional standards. Key elements include:

  • Objectivity: Editorial decisions are based on the quality and relevance of submissions.
  • Confidentiality: Editors must protect the privacy of authors, reviewers, and submitted materials.
  • Fair Practices: The journal is committed to providing equal opportunities to all authors, regardless of geographic location or affiliation.

 

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