Publication Ethics

The Central Asian Journal of Social Science and History (CAJSSH) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal committed to promoting rigorous research, intellectual integrity, and responsible publication practices in the fields of social science and history. In pursuit of academic excellence, CAJSSH adheres strictly to ethical standards at all stages of the publication process. This policy serves as a comprehensive guide to publication ethics and malpractice prevention, drawing upon guidelines from Scopus Title Evaluation Criteria, the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), and industry bodies such as:

a. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
b. World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
c. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
d. Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

Publication ethics are the foundation of a robust scholarly communication system. The publication of an article in CAJSSH reflects the quality of the authors' work and the institutions that support them. The journal is committed to maintaining a transparent, fair, and rigorous editorial and peer-review process and upholding the scientific record’s integrity. We expect authors, editors, peer reviewers, and publishers to act responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

Editorial Responsibilities
Editors serve as impartial stewards of the publication process. They are entrusted with making independent editorial decisions based solely on scholarly merit, originality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and methodological rigor. Editors will:
a. Maintain confidentiality of all submissions.
b. Ensure a timely, unbiased, and constructive peer review process.
c. Respond to ethical concerns with diligence and discretion.
d. Refrain from using unpublished material for personal advantage.
e. Take corrective action in the event of publication errors or ethical breaches, including issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when necessary.

Author Responsibilities
Authors are expected to maintain integrity, transparency, and honesty in presenting their research. Manuscripts submitted to CAJSSH must represent original work that has not been published elsewhere or is under consideration by another publication. Authors must:
a. Ensure that all data presented is accurate, appropriately cited, and free from fabrication or manipulation.
b. Clearly identify all sources of funding, conflicts of interest, and any ethical approvals where applicable.
c. Provide proper acknowledgment of all contributors and co-authors, who must have participated in the research and agree with the submitted version.
d. Refrain from practices such as plagiarism, duplicate submission, and redundant publication.
f. Cooperate fully during the editorial and peer review process and respond promptly to editorial queries.

Reviewer Responsibilities
Peer reviewers play a critical role in upholding the scholarly quality of CAJSSH. All reviews must be conducted objectively and confidentially. Reviewers are expected to:
a. Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback in a timely manner.
b. Evaluate manuscripts solely based on their content, regardless of the authors’ identity or background.
c. Disclose any conflicts of interest that might affect their objectivity.
d. Report any ethical concerns they detect, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices.

Misconduct Policy
CAJSSH upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and rigor. Any form of research or publication misconduct—such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, citation manipulation, or unethical authorship practices—is strictly prohibited. Allegations of misconduct will be addressed following a structured, fair, and confidential process. The journal is committed to ensuring the reliability of the scholarly record and will take appropriate corrective actions, including retractions or notifications, in confirmed cases of misconduct.

Types of Misconduct
Misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
a. Plagiarism: Presenting the ideas, text, or data of others as one's own without proper attribution.
b. Data Fabrication and Falsification: Inventing or manipulating data, images, or results with the intention to mislead.
c. Redundant (Duplicate) Publication: Publishing the same findings in more than one journal without appropriate acknowledgment or justification.
d. Improper Authorship: Including individuals as authors who did not contribute significantly or excluding those who did.
e. Citation Manipulation: Including references with the purpose of inflating citation counts or misrepresenting the scholarly context.
f. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose any potential competing interests that may affect the interpretation of results.
g. Peer Review Manipulation: Undermining the integrity of the peer review process through the submission of fake reviewer identities or biased reviewer suggestions.

Procedure for Handling Misconduct
1. All allegations of misconduct will be reviewed initially by the editorial team. Minor issues may be resolved informally with the author(s), while serious concerns will warrant a formal investigation.
2. All investigations will be conducted in strict confidentiality to protect the integrity of the process and the reputations of all involved parties.
3. CAJSSH will follow COPE’s established flowcharts and guidelines to ensure a systematic, unbiased, and fair approach to handling misconduct. These include guidance on dealing with:
a. Suspected plagiarism
b. Fabricated data
c. Authorship disputes
d. Reviewer misconduct
4. Communication and Notification:
a. Authors will be informed of the concerns and given an opportunity to respond.
b. Where applicable, institutions or funding bodies may also be contacted.
5. Outcomes and Sanctions: Depending on the severity of the misconduct, CAJSSH may:
a. Reject the manuscript
b. Issue a correction or retraction
c. Notify the author's institution
d. Ban the author from future submissions for a determined period
e. Post-Investigation Transparency: Any necessary corrections, retractions, or editorial notes will be published in accordance with COPE guidelines to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
6. Use of Technology: Manuscripts are routinely screened for plagiarism using similarity detection software prior to peer review.