Adıyaman Journal of Theology is committed to ensuring that academic research is conducted and published in accordance with established principles of scientific ethics. The journal considers the preservation of academic integrity, transparency, and objectivity as its primary priority. In this regard, it aims to establish a framework aligned with international standards in scholarly publishing by clearly defining the ethical responsibilities of the publisher, authors, and reviewers. Accordingly, Adıyaman Journal of Theology adopts the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and bases its publication policies on enhancing the trust and reputation of the academic community.
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is an academic journal published by the Faculty of Theology at Adıyaman University. The content of any published article does not necessarily reflect the views of Adıyaman University Faculty of Theology, Adıyaman Journal of Theology, or its editorial board.
Within the scope of publication ethics, Adıyaman Journal of Theology expects all stakeholders to adhere to the ethical responsibilities outlined below.
ADİYAMAN JOURNAL OF THEOLOGY: PUBLICATION POLICY AND PRINCIPLES
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is the official publication of Adıyaman University and is published electronically.
In addition to disseminating high-quality scholarly research, Adıyaman Journal of Theology adopts as its mission contributing to authors and to the field of academic publishing.
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is a peer-reviewed academic journal published biannually. The publication dates are June 30 and December 30. The submission system is open for manuscript submissions between February 15–March 30 and August 15–September 30. The editorial board reserves the right to close the system earlier once a sufficient number of submissions has been reached.
The journal publishes scholarly works related to at least one subfield of theology. Interdisciplinary studies associated with the field of theology may also be considered for evaluation, taking into account their contribution to the discipline.
Only manuscripts categorized as “research articles” are published in Adıyaman Journal of Theology.
The primary publication language of Adıyaman Journal of Theology is Turkish. In addition, scholarly works in Arabic and English are also published.
All submitted manuscripts must include a reference list containing all cited works. For articles written in Arabic, it is mandatory to include a bibliography transliterated into the Latin alphabet.
Manuscripts submitted to Adıyaman Journal of Theology must not have been previously published, in whole or in part, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are expected to have read the journal’s Ethical Principles and Publication Policies prior to submission. Submission of a manuscript implies acceptance of these principles and conditions.
Articles derived from postgraduate theses may be published. In such cases, the journal must be informed at the initial submission stage, and after the peer-review process is completed, the bibliographic details of the thesis must be indicated in the first footnote.
Papers previously presented at scientific meetings but not yet published may be considered for evaluation. In such cases, the journal must be informed at the initial submission stage, and after the peer-review process is completed, information regarding the presentation must be provided in the first footnote.
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is an open-access academic journal that implements plagiarism screening, preliminary evaluation, double-blind peer review, and editorial review processes.
All research articles are subject to preliminary evaluation and peer review. The preliminary evaluation process takes approximately three weeks, while the peer-review process takes approximately 30 days. These durations may occasionally be extended due to delays caused by reviewers. Editorial review processes take approximately 30 days.
Manuscripts that are under evaluation by another publication will be returned to the author.
All submissions undergo plagiarism screening (Turnitin) at the initial stage. The similarity index is expected to be below 25%. In cases where the similarity rate exceeds 25%, the validity of the findings reflected in the report is evaluated and decided upon by the Editorial Board.
No more than one research article by the same author may be published in a single issue. Additionally, only one study by the same author may be published within a single year (including the June and December issues).
Members of the Editorial Board are subject to the same publication processes as all other authors, both for research articles and other submission categories. They may not participate in Editorial Board meetings where their own submissions are discussed, nor may they be involved in the peer-review process of their own work.
The final ordering of accepted manuscripts within an issue and category is determined by the Editorial Board.
Manuscripts for which the peer-review or editorial review processes have not been completed by the publication date will be deferred to the next issue.
All control and evaluation processes of manuscripts are reported and archived within the DergiPark system.
Any changes to the journal’s publication policies and processes are announced on the journal’s official website.
Special issues may be published upon the decision of the Editorial Board. All manuscripts included in special issues are subject to the general publication principles and processes.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD
The Editorial Board holds full responsibility and authority to accept or reject a manuscript.
The Editorial Board does not engage in any conflict of interest regarding the manuscripts it accepts or rejects.
During the publication process, submissions are selected and evaluated based on scientific and academic criteria such as originality and contribution to the field.
If errors or deficiencies are identified in published research, the Editorial Board supports the publication of corrections or the retraction of the work.
As the journal adopts a double-blind peer-review process, the identities of reviewers are kept confidential and are not disclosed.
All submissions are subjected to plagiarism screening (Turnitin) at the initial stage. The similarity index is expected to be below 25%. In cases where the similarity rate exceeds 25%, the validity of the findings in the report is determined based on the final evaluation of the Editorial Board.
Submitted manuscripts are first subjected to a preliminary evaluation. During this stage, the Editorial Board may consult section editors, members of the Advisory Board, or subject-matter experts.
Following the preliminary evaluation, the Editorial Board decides whether the manuscript is suitable for peer review and whether the publication process should proceed. Manuscripts that do not meet the minimum requirements are rejected by the Editorial Board without being sent for peer review.
Research articles deemed suitable for peer review are submitted to reviewers. Manuscripts receiving favorable evaluations from reviewers are taken into the editorial review process after all requested revisions and corrections have been completed.
If the Editorial Board finds the reviewers’ reports insufficient or unconvincing, it may appoint new reviewers.
All decisions regarding acceptance or rejection are made solely on the basis of academic merit, scientific contribution, and compliance with ethical principles. The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions. All publication-related decisions are made independently by the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology.
Editorial decisions are made independently of any commercial, institutional, or personal influences.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject a manuscript if the author fails to consider reviewers’ reports or the Board’s revision requests and does not provide any justification.
If, by the publication date, the peer-review or editorial evaluation processes have not been completed, the manuscript may be deferred to the next issue.
No more than one research article by the same author may be published in a single issue; additionally, only one study by the same author may be published within a year (including the June and December issues).
Integrity and Impartiality
Manuscripts submitted to Adıyaman Journal of Theology are evaluated solely on the basis of academic and scientific criteria. During the evaluation process, factors such as the authors’ religion, language, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, political views, institutional affiliations, or any personal characteristics are not considered as evaluation criteria. This principle aims to ensure scientific objectivity and academic integrity.
Members of the Editorial Board are subject to the same publication processes as all other authors. They may not participate in Editorial Board meetings where their own submissions are discussed, nor may they be involved in the peer-review process of their own work.
Confidentiality
The Editorial Board strictly adheres to the principle of confidentiality throughout all stages of the evaluation process. Information regarding submitted manuscripts is shared only with the authors, reviewers, and subject-matter experts involved in the preliminary evaluation. No information is disclosed to any individual or institution not involved in the evaluation process. This principle is intended to ensure the reliability of the process and to uphold academic ethical standards.
Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
The contents of manuscripts submitted to Adıyaman Journal of Theology but not accepted for publication following the peer-review process may not be used in any way by editors or members of the Editorial Board. This principle aims to protect the intellectual property rights and academic contributions of authors.
Furthermore, transparency and adherence to ethical rules are essential at all stages in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF REVIEWERS
Contribution to the Editorial Decision-Making Process
The contribution of reviewers during the evaluation process is critical in enhancing the academic quality of manuscripts and in assisting the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology in reaching its final decision. From the moment a reviewer is assigned through the system and accepts the task, they are obliged to evaluate the manuscript in accordance with the Reviewer Evaluation Criteria. The revision suggestions provided by reviewers are communicated to the authors to improve the manuscript. However, reviewer opinions constitute only one component of the final decision; the ultimate decision regarding publication rests with the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology. Revisions deemed inconsistent with the journal’s publication criteria by the Editorial Board may constitute grounds for rejection.
Timeliness
Reviewers are generally given a period of 15 days to evaluate submitted manuscripts. However, depending on the journal’s publication schedule, additional time may be granted to reviewers who are unable to complete their evaluation within this period. Reviewers who believe they cannot meet the deadline or lack sufficient expertise in the subject matter should inform the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology as soon as possible.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts submitted to reviewers for evaluation are considered confidential documents. Reviewed manuscripts must be kept confidential prior to publication. Reviewers must not share any information contained in the manuscript with others before publication. This obligation also applies to reviewers who decline the review invitation. The identities of reviewers are not disclosed or published. Without the explicit permission of the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology, manuscripts must not be shared with or discussed with others. Reviewers may not use the content of unpublished manuscripts in their own work without the explicit consent of the author.
Standards of Objectivity
Reviews must be conducted objectively, constructively, and scientifically. Evaluations should be based solely on the academic merit of the manuscript, and personal criticism of the authors must be strictly avoided. Reviewers are expected to provide clear justifications and well-founded arguments to support their evaluations. Adıyaman Journal of Theology does not take into account biased or personalized evaluations and, in such cases, may subject the manuscript to a new review process.
Acknowledgement of Sources and Identification of Potential Plagiarism
Reviewers should identify relevant studies that have not been cited by the authors. Statements, observations, or arguments that have not been properly referenced should be indicated through appropriate citation. Reviewers should also inform the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and any other published or unpublished work.
Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must not have any conflicts of interest with the stakeholders of the manuscript under evaluation. Privileged information and ideas obtained through the peer-review process must be kept confidential and must not be used for personal advantage. Reviewers should not agree to evaluate manuscripts in cases where a conflict of interest may arise due to competition, collaboration, or any other relationship with the authors, institutions, or related parties.
Ethics
Reviewers are required to inform the editor if they detect any ethical violations, plagiarism, or similar issues at any stage of the evaluation process.
Reviewers must acknowledge that manuscripts submitted for review are the intellectual property of the authors.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORS
Originality and Accuracy
All data presented in the research must be authentic and original. Authors must present the raw data they use accurately and objectively, provide sufficient detail for other researchers, and ensure proper citation. Deliberately providing false or misleading information constitutes unethical conduct and is unacceptable.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. If they have used the work of others, appropriate citation must be provided. All forms of plagiarism, including improper reuse of one’s own previously published work, constitute serious ethical misconduct and are considered academic offenses. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism are excluded from the evaluation process. If plagiarism is detected after publication, the relevant authorities will be informed.
Multiple, Redundant, or Simultaneous Publication
Authors must not publish the same research in more than one venue. Submitting previously published work for publication or submitting the same manuscript simultaneously to multiple journals is unethical and unacceptable.
Acknowledgement of Sources
All sources used in a manuscript must be properly cited. Authors must reference all publications that have influenced the submitted work.
Articles derived from postgraduate theses may be published in Adıyaman Journal of Theology. In such cases, the journal must be informed at the initial submission stage, and after the peer-review process is completed, the bibliographic details of the thesis must be indicated in the first footnote.
Papers presented at scientific meetings but not yet published may be considered for evaluation. In such cases, the journal must be informed at the initial submission stage, and after the peer-review process is completed, details of the presentation must be provided in the first footnote.
Authorship
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All authors listed must have made substantial contributions to the research. Contributors who meet these criteria should be listed as co-authors, while those who contributed in other ways should be acknowledged as contributors.
In multi-authored works, the corresponding author must submit the manuscript with the consent of all co-authors. Individuals who have not directly contributed to the research should not be listed as authors. If there is more than one author, each author’s contribution to the manuscript must be specified.
Once an article has been submitted to the Journal for publication, no author's name can be removed from the author list, no new name can be added as an author, and the author order cannot be changed without the written consent of all authors.
Ethical Statement
For studies requiring ethical approval, the name of the approving institution, as well as the decision number and date, must be provided. Studies requiring ethical approval include all research involving data collection from participants through qualitative or quantitative methods such as surveys and interviews, as well as retrospective studies subject to personal data protection regulations.
Permission must be obtained and indicated for the use of scales, questionnaires, photographs, or similar materials belonging to others. Compliance with copyright regulations for the use of intellectual and artistic works must also be stated.
Research requiring ethical approval includes, but is not limited to: studies involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, experiments, or other data collection techniques from participants; experimental or other scientific use of humans and animals (including materials/data); clinical studies involving humans; studies conducted on animals; and retrospective studies subject to personal data protection laws.
Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
All authors must disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest that may influence the results or interpretation of their research. All sources of financial support must be clearly stated. Declarations of conflict of interest and financial support are provided at the end of the manuscript.
Corrections in Published Works
If a significant error or inaccuracy is identified in a published work, it is the author’s responsibility to notify the editor. The author must cooperate with the editorial team to carry out the necessary corrections.
Right to Object to Revision Requests
Authors have the right to object to revision requests made by reviewers or the Editorial Board; however, they must provide a reasonable and well-justified explanation for such objections.
Withdrawal of Manuscripts
Authors may withdraw their manuscript only during the pre-evaluation stage. Manuscripts cannot be withdrawn at later stages of the publication process.
Originality and Plagiarism (Reiteration)
Authors are expected to conduct and report original research. Proper citation must be provided for all sources used. Improper use of previously published material, including the author’s own work, constitutes serious ethical misconduct. Manuscripts in which plagiarism is detected are immediately removed from the publication process. If detected after publication, the relevant authorities are informed.
Double-Blind Peer Review
As the journal employs a double-blind peer-review process, author information must not be included in the manuscript file.
POST-PUBLICATION ETHICS
Correction, Expression of Concern, and Retraction Policy
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic record. When errors or ethical concerns arise after publication, the journal follows transparent procedures that are internationally recognized.
Corrections
If a published article contains a significant error that does not invalidate the overall findings but affects clarity or accuracy, the journal may issue a correction.
Corrections clearly indicate the nature of the error, are linked to the original article, and preserve the integrity of the academic record.
Retraction
A retraction decision may be issued in the following cases: proven plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, serious ethical violations, duplicate or redundant publication, and major errors that invalidate the findings.
Retractions are implemented by decision of the Editorial Board, are clearly labeled and linked to the original article. To ensure transparency, the original article is not removed from the archive; instead, it is marked as retracted.
Investigation Process
Allegations of research misconduct or ethical violations are evaluated confidentially.
The Editorial Board may consult independent experts or relevant institutions when deemed necessary.
The publisher does not interfere with investigation processes or post-publication decisions.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors may submit a reasoned written appeal against editorial decisions, including corrections or retractions.
Appeals are evaluated by the Editorial Board. Where necessary, additional independent reviewer opinions may be sought.
Complaints related to ethical concerns may be submitted confidentially.
Post-Publication Communication
Concerns, ethical issues, or complaints regarding published articles may be communicated via: adid@adiyaman.edu.tr
Substantial Errors in Published Works
If an author identifies a significant error or inaccuracy in a published work, they are obliged to promptly inform the editor and the Editorial Board. In such cases, the author must cooperate with Adıyaman Journal of Theology to correct or retract the article.
Editorial and Publisher Responsibilities in Post-Publication Processes
The Editorial Board evaluates post-publication ethical concerns in accordance with COPE principles. All investigations are conducted in line with the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and transparency.
Conflict of Interest Policy
All parties involved in the publication process are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Undisclosed conflicts of interest may result in appropriate actions, including corrections or retractions, where deemed necessary.
Actions Contrary to Scientific Research and Publication Ethics
Plagiarism: Presenting others’ ideas, methods, data, applications, writings, figures, or works, in whole or in part, as one’s own without proper citation in accordance with scientific rules.
Fabrication: Producing data that are not based on research; manipulating or altering a work based on fabricated data; reporting or publishing such data; or presenting research that has not been conducted as if it had been carried out.
Falsification (Distortion): Manipulating research records or obtained data; presenting methods, devices, or materials not actually used in the research as if they were used; excluding data that do not support the research hypothesis; altering data and/or results to fit relevant theories or assumptions; or distorting or shaping research outcomes in line with the interests of supporting individuals or institutions.
Duplicate Publication: Presenting multiple works containing the same results of a single research study as separate publications in academic promotion or evaluation processes.
Salami Slicing: Dividing the results of a research study into inappropriate fragments in a way that compromises the integrity of the research, publishing them as multiple works without proper cross-referencing, and presenting them as separate publications in academic promotion or evaluation processes.
Unjustified Authorship: Including individuals as authors who have not made an active contribution; excluding those who have contributed; altering the order of authors without valid justification; removing contributors’ names during publication or in subsequent editions; or including individuals as authors due to their influence despite lack of contribution.
Other Types of Ethical Violations: Failing to clearly acknowledge supporting individuals, institutions, or organizations and their contributions in publications arising from funded research; not complying with ethical rules in studies involving humans or animals; failing to respect patient rights in publications; sharing information from a work under review with others prior to publication; using resources, facilities, or equipment allocated for scientific research for purposes other than intended; or making unfounded, baseless, and intentional allegations of ethical misconduct (Council of Higher Education [YÖK] Directive on Scientific Research and Publication Ethics).
Adıyaman Journal of Theology adopts the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), including the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors and the Code of Conduct for Journal Publishers, in order to ensure ethical integrity in scholarly publishing.
Peer Review Policy
A double-blind peer-review system is implemented in Adıyaman Journal of Theology.
Language of Publication
The primary publication language of Adıyaman Journal of Theology is Turkish. In addition, scholarly works in Arabic and English are also published.
Copyright Policy
From the date of submission until the completion of the evaluation process, and after publication, manuscripts may not be published in whole or in part in any visual, audio, or printed medium without the permission of the Editorial Board of Adıyaman Journal of Theology. However, they may be quoted with proper citation to Adıyaman Journal of Theology.
Plagiarism Policy
Financial Policy
Adıyaman Journal of Theology is an open-access journal, and no fees are charged.