Ethical Principles and Publication Policy

The publication policy of the Bulletin of Biomathematics (BBM) Journal is founded on the principles of impartiality, respect, and the advancement of knowledge. All editorial and review processes conducted in accordance with this policy play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of submissions from authors and their affiliated institutions.

BBM is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity in scholarly publishing. Ethical conduct is expected from all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. BBM adheres to the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and it has adopted the International Ethical Publishing Principles established by the COPE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA). This includes clear responsibilities for editors in their relationships with authors, reviewers, and readers, as well as procedures for handling complaints, conflicts of interest, and ethical concerns.

All participants in the editorial and peer review process are expected to act with transparency, fairness, and accountability and to fully conform to these ethical standards to ensure the quality and credibility of published work.

A. Ethical Principles

A.1 Authorship and Contributorship of the Paper

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All individuals who have significantly contributed must be listed as co-authors. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all contributors are appropriately acknowledged according to the extent of their contributions, and for reviewing, approving, and accepting the final version of the manuscript for publication.

Contributorship refers to the broader process of supporting the development of a scientific article. Contributions can take various forms, including but not limited to co-authoring the manuscript or assisting in data collection activities, such as conducting surveys. All forms of meaningful contribution should be appropriately recognized.

All contributions must align with the categories outlined in the "Authors' Contributions" section of the journal's website: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/bulletinbiomath/writing-rules

A.2 Conflicts of Interest

BBM Journal is committed to transparency and integrity in publishing. All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research, review, or editorial process.

Authors must declare any financial, institutional, or personal interests related to their manuscript. If none exist, they should state: "The authors declare no conflicts of interest."
Reviewers must disclose any conflicts that may affect their impartiality and decline to review when appropriate.
Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists and ensure reassignment to an unbiased editor.

Failure to disclose conflicts may result in editorial action, including rejection or retraction. BBM Journal follows the ethical standards set by COPE.

A.3 Data Availability, Repositories, Reproducibility, and Exceptions

BBM Journal promotes transparency, integrity, and reproducibility in scientific research. To support these values, the following policy applies:

Data Availability: Authors are encouraged to make the data underlying their research publicly available, unless legal, ethical, or privacy restrictions apply. A clear "Data Availability Statement" should be included in the manuscript, indicating where and how the data can be accessed.
Data Repositories: Where possible, data should be deposited in a recognized public repository with appropriate citations or DOIs.
Reproducibility: Authors should provide sufficient methodological detail, including software, code, and statistical approaches, to allow others to replicate or verify the findings. Where applicable, code should also be shared via open repositories such as GitHub or GitLab.
Exceptions: If data cannot be shared due to confidentiality or other valid limitations, authors must clearly state the reasons in the manuscript.

By encouraging open data practices, BBM Journal aims to enhance trust in published results and support the broader scientific community.

A.4 Duplicate / Multiple Submissions

BBM Journal strictly prohibits duplicate or multiple submissions. Authors must ensure that:

The manuscript submitted to BBM Journal is original and has not been published previously, either in full or in part, in any language.
The manuscript is not under review at another journal or publication outlet simultaneously.
Submitting the same or substantially similar content to more than one journal at the same time is considered unethical and may result in immediate rejection or withdrawal of the manuscript.

If a submitted manuscript is found to be a duplicate or concurrently submitted elsewhere, BBM Journal reserves the right to take appropriate action, including notifying authors’ institutions or relevant authorities.

Exceptions, such as preprints or conference proceedings, must be clearly disclosed at the time of submission.

A.5 Correction, Retraction, and Expression of Concern

BBM Journal is committed to maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the scholarly record. When issues are identified after publication, the following measures may be taken:

Corrections: Minor errors that do not affect the overall findings or conclusions of the article (e.g., typographical mistakes, author name corrections, or minor data inaccuracies) will be addressed through a formal correction notice linked to the original article.

Retractions: Articles may be retracted if they are found to contain significant errors, ethical violations (such as plagiarism or data fabrication), or if the results are no longer reliable. Retraction notices will clearly state the reason and will remain permanently linked to the original article.

Expressions of Concern: In cases where there is inconclusive evidence of misconduct or unresolved issues that may affect the integrity of the article, BBM may publish an expression of concern while the matter is under investigation.

All such notices will follow COPE guidelines and will be issued transparently to inform readers and protect the scientific record.

Ethical Standards for Editors

Editors of the BBM are responsible for making independent and impartial decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of submitted manuscripts. These decisions are based solely on the academic merit and intellectual content of the work, without consideration of the authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political views. Editors are expected to follow the journal’s editorial policies and comply with applicable legal and ethical standards, including those related to libel, copyright, and plagiarism. In evaluating submissions, editors may consult with other editors or qualified reviewers as appropriate. As guardians of the research record, editors play a critical role in upholding the integrity of scholarly communication. They should not only encourage authors to adhere to the highest standards of research and publication ethics, but also lead by example in their editorial conduct. Through their policies and practices, editors are in a position to promote responsible research behavior and foster a culture of academic integrity.

To maximize their impact within the research community, editors of the BBM are expected to adhere to universal standards and best editorial practices. Key editorial responsibilities include:

Accountability: Editors are accountable for all content published in the journal and should take full responsibility for their editorial decisions.
Fairness and Objectivity: Decisions must be made fairly and impartially, without influence from commercial interests or personal biases, and based solely on scholarly merit.
Rigorous Peer Review: Editors must ensure a thorough, transparent, and unbiased peer-review process, providing guidance to both authors and reviewers on expectations.
Integrity and Transparency: Editorial policies should promote honest reporting, maximum transparency, and ethical conduct throughout the publishing process.
Corrections and Retractions: Editors should actively safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record by issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.
Misconduct Oversight: Editors are responsible for investigating and addressing suspected or confirmed instances of research, reviewer, or editorial misconduct.
Ethical Oversight: Submissions involving research on humans or animals must be assessed to ensure compliance with ethical standards and appropriate approvals.
Conflict of Interest Management: Editors must have clear policies for managing and disclosing editorial conflicts of interest.

Reference: Kleinert S. & Wager E. (2011). Responsible research publication: international standards for editors. A position statement developed at the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, Singapore, July 22-24, 2010. Chapter 51 In: Mayer T. & Steneck N. (eds). Promoting Research Integrity in a Global Environment. Imperial College Press / World Scientific Publishing, Singapore (pp 317-28). (ISBN 978-981-4340-97-7).

Ethical Standards for Authors

Publication represents the final stage of the research process and carries with it a significant responsibility for all researchers. Scholarly publications are intended to serve as a detailed, transparent, and permanent record of research findings. As such, they form the foundation for future research and practical applications, influencing not only the scientific community but also, indirectly, society at large. Researchers have a duty to ensure that their publications are honest, clear, accurate, complete, and balanced. They must avoid misleading, selective, or ambiguous reporting that could distort scientific understanding or misrepresent results. Upholding these principles is essential for maintaining the credibility and integrity of the scientific record. Journal editors also share in this responsibility and are expected to enforce editorial and ethical standards. Their role in safeguarding the integrity of the research literature is outlined in companion editorial guidelines.

Researchers are expected to present their results clearly, honestly, and accurately, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation of data.
Methods should be described with sufficient clarity and detail to allow independent verification and reproducibility of the findings.
Submitted work must be original, free from plagiarism, and not under consideration or published elsewhere.
All authors share collective responsibility for the content of submitted and published work.
Authorship should fairly and accurately reflect each individual’s contribution to the research and its dissemination.
Authors must fully disclose funding sources and any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation.
If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are obligated to promptly inform the Editor-in-Chief and cooperate to publish a correction, erratum, or retraction as appropriate.

Reference: Wager, E. & Kleinert, S. (2011) Responsible research publication: international standards for authors. A position statement developed at the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, Singapore, July 22-24, 2010. Chapter 50 in: Mayer T & Steneck N (eds) Promoting Research Integrity in a Global Environment. Imperial College Press / World Scientific Publishing, Singapore (pp 309-16). (ISBN 978-981-4340-97-7).

Ethical Standards for Peer Reviewers

Peer review plays a fundamental role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the scholarly record. It is built on mutual trust, ethical conduct, and responsible behavior by all participants. Peer reviewers are central to this process, providing critical evaluations that assist editors in making informed decisions and, through constructive feedback, help authors improve the quality of their manuscripts.

Reviewers should adhere to the following core principles:

Conduct reviews in a timely, objective, and constructive manner,
Treat manuscripts as confidential documents and not share or use the content for personal advantage,
Declare any conflicts of interest that could affect the impartiality of their review,
Evaluate the manuscript solely on scientific merit, without bias based on nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, or other personal characteristics of the authors,
Provide clear, reasoned, and respectful feedback, including suggestions for improvement where appropriate,
Refrain from engaging in plagiarism or using unpublished material in any way.

Peer reviewers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of science and the editorial integrity of the BBM.

Reference: Homes, I. (2013). COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers, March 2013, v1.

B. Publication Policy

BBM Journal publishes high-quality, original research articles and reviews that contribute to scientific knowledge and practice. Manuscripts are accepted based on the following criteria:

Originality: The work must be original and not published or under review elsewhere.
Scientific Merit: Submissions must present sound methodology, valid results, and meaningful contributions to the field.
Relevance: The content must align with the journal’s scope and interests.
Ethical Standards: All research must comply with ethical guidelines and declarations (e.g., COPE, institutional ethics).
Peer Review: All articles undergo a single-blind peer review process to ensure quality and objectivity.

BBM is committed to transparency, academic integrity, and open access, making published research freely available to the global scientific community.

B.1 Language

All articles submitted to BBM must be written in English to ensure clear communication and accessibility to the international scientific community.

B.2 Changes in Authorship

Any changes to authorship—whether involving the addition, removal, or reordering of authors—during the publication process must be approved by all authors listed on the manuscript. All authors must confirm in writing that they consent to the change and that each listed author has made a genuine intellectual contribution to the work. To request a change, all authors must complete and sign the Bulletin of Biomathematics Author Changes Form, which must be submitted to the editorial office. The corresponding author must also provide a clear explanation of the reason for the change, in accordance with the journal’s authorship guidelines.

The Bulletin of Biomathematics reserves the right to decline authorship change requests if there is insufficient justification or reason to question the contribution of any newly added author.

B.3 Deceased Authors

If an author has passed away prior to the submission of a manuscript, the journal requires written consent from a legal representative or familial proxy of the deceased author to proceed with the peer review and potential publication of the work. Deceased individuals may still be listed as co-authors, provided they made a significant intellectual contribution to the research, in accordance with the journal’s authorship criteria. Their contribution should be acknowledged respectfully, and a note may be added to indicate their passing.

B.4 Complaints and Appeals

BBM Journal is committed to fair and transparent handling of all complaints and appeals related to editorial decisions, peer review, or publication processes.

Complaints: Authors, reviewers, or readers who have concerns about the journal’s procedures or conduct can submit a formal complaint in writing to the editorial office. Complaints will be acknowledged promptly and investigated thoroughly and confidentially.

Appeals: Authors who disagree with editorial decisions (e.g., rejection of manuscripts) may submit a written appeal outlining the reasons and providing additional information or clarification. Appeals will be reviewed by senior editors or an independent committee, and a final decision will be communicated.

BBM Journal aims to resolve complaints and appeals fairly, professionally, and within a reasonable timeframe, ensuring respect for all parties involved.

Last Update Time: 7/28/25, 10:51:18 PM

Bulletin of Biomathematics - 2025

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