Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS 

1. Submission Requirements

Submission system

All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the journal’s online submission system. Submissions sent via email or alternative channels are not accepted. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all required files (manuscript, figures, supplementary material, cover letter) are uploaded correctly and that the submission is complete before finalizing the process.

Originality and exclusivity

By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by another journal. Practices such as duplicate submission, redundant publication, or inappropriate use of others’ work may lead to withdrawal of the manuscript in accordance with publication ethics. The journal screens all submissions for similarity prior to peer review. Manuscripts that fail originality requirements may be rejected without review.

Accepted article types

The journal accepts the following article types:
• Original Research Articles
• Special Issue Articles (by invitation or call)
Each article type must adhere to the journal’s formatting and structural requirements as outlined in the Manuscript Preparation section.
• Pre-check (scope + formatting)
All submissions undergo an initial editorial screening to verify:
• Alignment with the journal’s aims and scope,
• Compliance with formatting and structural guidelines,
• Language quality sufficient for scientific evaluation,
• Presence of required statements (ethics, conflicts of interest, data availability, funding, permissions).
Manuscripts that do not meet these basic requirements may be returned to authors for correction or rejected prior to peer review.

2. Author Information Required at Submission

Author list format

Authors should enter their full names, institutional affiliations, and email addresses exactly as they wish them to appear in the published article. Affiliations must include department, institution, city, and country information. All authors listed must have contributed meaningfully to the work.

Corresponding author designation

One author must be clearly designated as the corresponding author. This individual will be responsible for all communication with the Editorial Office during submission, peer review, revision, and publication. The corresponding author should ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the submitted version of the manuscript.

CRediT contributor roles

Authors are asked to provide a brief statement describing each contributor’s role in the study (e.g., conceptualization, methodology, analysis, writing). This information promotes transparency and helps accurately reflect individual contributions.

AI tools disclosure

If artificial intelligence or AI-assisted tools were used during manuscript preparation, data processing, image enhancement, or language editing, authors should include a brief disclosure indicating the nature and extent of their use. Authors remain fully responsible for verifying the accuracy and integrity of any content produced or modified with such tools.

3. Copyright & Licensing

CC BY 4.0 license information

All accepted manuscripts are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license allows others to share, adapt, and reuse the published work, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original authors. During submission, authors are asked to confirm that they understand and agree to the licensing terms applied by the journal.

Use of third-party materials

If the manuscript includes previously published figures, tables, images, or other content owned by third parties, authors are responsible for obtaining written permission from the copyright holder before submission. Documentation of permission should be uploaded as a supplementary file. Authors should ensure that all reused materials are clearly acknowledged within the manuscript.

Preprint and postprint usage rules

Authors may share their manuscript on reputable preprint servers both before and after submission. Posting a preprint does not affect the peer-review process or editorial evaluation. After acceptance, authors may archive the accepted version (postprint) on institutional repositories, personal websites, or subject-based archives, provided that the final published version is cited and the DOI is included.

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4. Data Availability & Supplementary Material

Data Availability Statement

Authors are asked to include a brief Data Availability Statement indicating where the data supporting the findings of the study can be accessed, or explaining any justified restrictions on data sharing. Examples include openly available datasets, data available upon reasonable request, or limitations due to ethical, legal, or confidentiality considerations.

Supplementary file submission

Supplementary materials that support the main text—such as datasets, additional figures or tables, methodological details, or multimedia files—may be submitted as separate files during the online submission process. Each supplementary file should be clearly labeled and referenced within the manuscript. Authors should ensure that all supplementary content is relevant, well-organized, and prepared in commonly accessible formats.

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5. Publication Fees 

Statement on publication charges

ESTUSCIENCE-SE does not charge authors any fees for the submission, processing, or publication of manuscripts. All publication costs are fully supported by Eskişehir Technical University, ensuring that authors face no financial barriers throughout the publication process.

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6. After Submission

Editorial communication

Following submission, the corresponding author will receive confirmation that the manuscript has been successfully received. All communication regarding editorial evaluation, reviewer assignments, and decision notifications will be conducted through the journal’s online system. Authors are encouraged to check their emails and system notifications regularly to ensure timely responses.

Revision submission

If revisions are requested, authors will be provided with the reviewers’ comments and specific guidance from the Editorial Office. Revised manuscripts should be submitted through the online system together with a detailed response document explaining how each comment has been addressed. Authors are asked to return revisions within the indicated timeframe or inform the editor if additional time is needed.

Proof correction

After acceptance, the corresponding author will receive page proofs for final review. Proof corrections should be limited to minor typographical or formatting adjustments. Substantive changes to the content are not permitted at this stage. Authors are kindly requested to review proofs carefully and return them within the specified deadline to avoid delays in publication.

Acceptance workflow

Once the corrected proofs are approved, the manuscript enters the production queue and is prepared for online publication. Articles are assigned a DOI and made available open access under the journal’s licensing terms. Authors will receive a notification once the final version of the article is published.

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7. Author Rights

Authors retain the copyright to their published work. By publishing in the journal, authors allow the journal to publish, archive, and disseminate the article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) license. The use of the CC BY 4.0 license ensures compliance with the open access policies of funders, institutions, and international repositories. The articles published in the Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering are made immediately and permanently open access. All published articles are freely available online to read, distribute, download, and reuse.

A Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence grants wide reuse rights for authors and users alike:
• Share, copy and redistribute the material in any format,
• Adapt, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose.
For this license it’s important to give appropriate credit to the original author(s), to provide a link to the license, and to indicate any changes made. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submitted articles comply with the journal's copyright and licensing policies.

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8. Acceptance and Rejection Criteria

The Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering is an international, peer-reviewed journal focused on publishing high-quality, original research in applied sciences and engineering. To ensure the integrity, transparency, and quality of its publication process, the journal fully adheres to the ethical principles and international academic publishing standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Manuscript Pre-Evaluation

All manuscripts submitted to our journals are pre-evaluated in terms of their relevance to the journal's scope, language, compliance with writing instructions, suitability for science, and originality by taking into account the current legal requirements regarding copyright infringement and plagiarism. Manuscripts that do not meet the author's instructions may be rejected without peer review.

Peer Review Process

Scientific manuscripts that pass the initial evaluation are evaluated by editors and referees who are experts in their fields. The Editor-in-Chief may assign the manuscript to an Associate Editor or personally manage the editorial and review process. Editors may also appoint referees to evaluate the article and base their decisions on the referees' reports. The evaluation process is subject to a double-blind peer-review process. The peer-review process evaluates the scientific soundness and methodological rigor of the article; the innovation and contribution to the field; the logical structure and consistency of the arguments; the relevance and accuracy of the citations; and the ethical integrity of the research. The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision regarding publication.

Acceptance Criteria

A manuscript may be accepted for publication if it demonstrates originality and contributes new knowledge, perspectives, or methods to the relevant field. An appropriate and clear methodology should be employed to ensure the validity and reliability of the research findings. Results and conclusions must be presented clearly and logically. Additionally, the article must comply with established ethical publishing standards and relevant guidelines. Finally, acceptance is contingent upon receiving positive evaluations from qualified reviewers.

Rejection Criteria

A manuscript can be rejected for a variety of reasons at any stage of the editorial process. The primary reasons for rejection are that the topic is outside the journal's scope or that the research lacks novelty, significance, or scientific merit. Rejection can also occur if the manuscript's methodology is deemed inadequate or if it does not provide sufficient data to support its conclusions. Failure to comply with submission guidelines or formatting requirements can also lead to rejection. Articles with poor language quality or complex presentation may also be rejected. Manuscripts that fail to comply with the journal’s ethical standards and publication policies may be rejected at any stage of the editorial process. Negative reviews from reviewers that indicate the manuscript is unsuitable for publication will also result in rejection by editorial decision. Finally, if authors fail to adequately address reviewer or editor feedback during the revision process, the manuscript may be rejected.
Submissions for publication undergo review by the Editor-in-Chief in line with the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Articles are welcome for publication under the condition that they have not been previously published and are not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors must confirm that neither the manuscript nor its primary contents have been previously published or submitted for publication in another journal. 

9. Post–Publication Process

The post publication process of the Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering is carried out in accordance with COPE guidelines. According to the COPE Position Statement on Editorial Independence, editors are responsible for decisions regarding journal content and, when necessary, for making post-publication changes, such as expressing concerns. Expressing concerns may serve as an interim notification, followed by a correction or withdrawal.
When post-publication critiques are submitted to the journal for publication, the original authors of the critiqued article are invited to write a "response" or "reply." During this process, both the critique and the response may undergo peer review. The article may be revised, and if both the critique and the response are accepted and published, they will be indexed in bibliographic databases. COPE guidelines are used as a reference for considerations in evaluating post-publication critiques. The journal has a clearly defined and transparent policy for evaluating critiques, which is included in the "Post Publication Policy" section and “Instructions For Authors”.
If a post-publication review submitted to the journal is potentially defamatory or libelous, the Editorial Office will consult with the legal department to give the reviewer an opportunity to review their potentially defamatory writing. If the review's content is confirmed as defamatory/libelous and sufficient changes are not made to correct it, the review will be rejected.

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MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

1. Manuscript Formatting Requirements

• Template usage

Authors are encouraged to prepare their manuscripts using the official journal template (📝 Template.docx ). The template ensures consistency in formatting, section organization, headings, and reference style. Using the template at the initial submission stage helps facilitate the editorial screening and review processes.

• File format and structure

Manuscripts should be submitted in an editable file format (such as Microsoft Word). All text, tables, and figures should be embedded or clearly referenced within the manuscript. Authors should structure the document according to the guidelines in Section 2.2 Manuscript Structure, ensuring that each required section is included and clearly labeled.

• Language and style

Manuscripts must be written in clear, academically appropriate English. Authors are encouraged to ensure grammatical accuracy, clarity of expression, and consistency in terminology.

• Units, symbols, nomenclature

All measurements should be reported using SI units. Symbols, formulas, and abbreviations should be used consistently and defined at first mention. Scientific names, chemical formulas, and technical nomenclature should follow accepted conventions.

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2. Manuscript Structure

The manuscript is generally expected to follow the structure outlined below, which supports clarity and facilitates a smooth review process.

• Title

The title page should clearly present the full title of the manuscript, followed by the names and institutional affiliations of all authors. Affiliations must include department, institution, city, and country. One author should be designated as the corresponding author, and their email address must be provided to ensure smooth communication throughout the editorial and publication processes.

• Abstract

The abstract should summarize the essential elements of the study, including its purpose, the main methods employed, key results, and principal conclusions. It should be written as a single paragraph, typically not exceeding 300 words. Citations, abbreviations that are not defined, and non-essential details should be avoided. A well-constructed abstract helps readers and reviewers quickly understand the focus and value of the work.

• Keywords

Authors should provide three to five keywords that accurately represent the main themes, methodologies, or application areas of the study.

• Introduction

The introduction should offer sufficient background to contextualize the research problem, explaining its relevance within the broader scientific field. It should outline existing knowledge, highlight gaps or challenges the study aims to address, and clearly state the objectives or hypotheses.

• Materials and Methods

This section should describe the materials, experimental design, data collection procedures, analytical techniques, and statistical methods used in the study. The level of detail should enable other researchers to replicate the work or validate its findings. When established methods are used, appropriate references should be provided; when new methods are introduced, they should be explained thoroughly.

• Results

The results section should present the main findings of the study in a clear, objective, and well-organized manner. Tables, figures, and other illustrative materials may be used to support the narrative and improve clarity. This section should focus on reporting observations without interpretation, ensuring that the data speaks for itself before analysis is provided in the discussion.

• Discussion

The discussion should interpret the results in the context of existing literature, highlighting their significance, implications, and relation to previous studies. Authors may also discuss potential limitations, unexpected findings, and directions for future research.

• Conclusion

The conclusion should concisely summarize the study’s key outcomes and their broader implications. This section may also highlight potential applications, recommendations, or avenues for further investigation. Authors should ensure that conclusions are evidence-based and supported by the results presented.

• Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments may be used to recognize individuals, institutions, or organizations that contributed to the study but do not meet authorship criteria. Funding sources, grant numbers, or institutional support should also be mentioned clearly when applicable.

• Conflict of Interest statement

Authors should include a brief statement disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or confirming that none exist.

• Ethics Approval statement (if applicable)

For studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data, authors should provide the name of the ethics committee that approved the study, approval number, and a brief confirmation that the research adhered to relevant ethical guidelines. If ethics approval was not required, authors may include a short explanatory statement.

• Data Availability Statement

A Data Availability Statement should be included to inform readers where the data supporting the findings can be accessed, or to explain any justified restrictions.

• References

The reference list should include all sources cited in the manuscript and should follow the journal’s prescribed citation style. Authors should ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

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3. Figures and Tables

Figures and tables should be prepared clearly, numbered consecutively, and referenced in the text. Each figure and table must include an informative caption that explains its content. Authors should ensure that the visual elements submitted are readable and prepared at a quality suitable for digital publication. When applicable, editable versions of figures (such as vector formats) may be requested during production. Detailed formatting instructions for figures, tables, and captions are provided in the journal template.

• Numbering

Figures and tables should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the manuscript. Each figure and table should be cited in the text using its designated number to ensure consistency.

• Captions

Every figure and table must include a concise caption that describes its content. Captions should be placed below figures and above tables. Abbreviations or symbols used in the visuals should be defined either in the caption or in a note accompanying the table or figure.

• Resolution requirements

Images, photographs, and graphical elements should be submitted at a resolution suitable for high-quality digital publication. Graphics should be clear and legible, with no pixelation or distortion when viewed at typical reading size.

• Accepted formats

Figures may be submitted in common image formats such as JPEG, TIFF, or PNG. Tables should be prepared directly in the manuscript file rather than inserted as images. If figures include complex graphics, authors may submit additional files in PDF or vector-based formats.

• Editable figure requirements

When figures contain diagrams, charts, or other elements that may need adjustments during production, authors should provide an editable version if available. Editable files help ensure accurate rendering during layout and typesetting.

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4. References

References should follow the citation style indicated in the journal template. In-text citations must use numerical referencing, and the reference list should appear in the order of citation. Authors are asked to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness in all reference entries. Examples of reference formats for journals, books, conference proceedings, and theses are provided within the template.

• Citation style

Citations within the text should follow a numerical system. Each reference should be indicated by a number in square brackets corresponding to its position in the reference list. The same number should be used throughout the manuscript for repeated citations of the same source.

• Order of listing

References should be listed at the end of the manuscript in the order in which they first appear in the text. Each reference number should correspond to a single entry in the list.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

The Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering (ESTUSCIENCE-SE) is an international, peer-reviewed, and fully open-access journal dedicated to the dissemination of high-quality research in applied sciences and engineering.
The journal upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and operates in full alignment with the principles and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) throughout the editorial and publication process.
All submissions undergo a double-blind peer-review process, ensuring impartial evaluation and academic integrity. The journal operates under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, allowing free access, sharing, and reuse of published work with proper attribution to the authors.
These policies collectively ensure that the journal’s editorial decisions are transparent, independent, and based solely on scholarly merit. Through its commitment to ethical publishing, ESTUSCIENCE-SE strives to promote responsible research conduct, foster academic collaboration, and contribute to the advancement of science and technology within an open and trustworthy scholarly environment.

Ownership and Governance

The Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A – Applied Sciences and Engineering (ESTUSCIENCE-SE) is published by Eskişehir Technical University. Editorial independence is fully guaranteed: all scientific decisions rest solely with the Editor-in-Chief and designated associate editors. The University and institutions have no influence on editorial content or publication decisions.

1. Appeals and Complaints

The Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering (ESTUSCIENCE-SE) upholds the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability throughout its editorial and peer-review processes. To ensure that all parties are treated equitably, the journal provides clear procedures for handling appeals and complaints in alignment with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

Appeals of Editorial Decisions

Authors who believe that their manuscript has been unfairly rejected or that the peer-review process was not conducted appropriately may submit a written appeal. The appeal must include a detailed justification, addressing specific reviewer or editor comments, and may include additional information or data supporting the author’s position. Appeals and complaints are acknowledged within 30 days and resolved within 60 days whenever possible.

Appeals should be submitted to the Editorial Office through the journal’s official communication channels. The Editorial Office, in consultation with the Editorial Board, will review each appeal carefully and objectively. Depending on the case, the manuscript may be re-evaluated by the same or different reviewers. The final decision made by the Editor-in-Chief after the appeal review is communicated formally to the authors and is considered final within the journal’s internal process. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the final editorial decision, they may contact an independent Ombudsperson appointed by Eskişehir Technical University, who reviews the case objectively and whose decision is final.

Complaints about the Editorial Process

Any concerns related to the handling of manuscripts, communication delays, or procedural irregularities may be raised with the Editorial Office. Complaints will be reviewed impartially, ensuring that no party involved in the original process handles the complaint directly. The journal aims to provide an initial response within a reasonable timeframe and, if necessary, take corrective measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

Complaints about Ethical Misconduct

Concerns related to potential ethical breaches are handled in accordance with COPE’s official flowcharts and ethical guidelines. If credible evidence of misconduct is found, the Editorial Office may contact the relevant author(s) for clarification and, if required, notify the author’s affiliated institution or governing authority for formal investigation.

Resolution and Record Keeping

All appeals and complaints are recorded and reviewed regularly to ensure consistent application of journal policies and continuous improvement of editorial procedures. ESTUSCIENCE-SE is committed to handling all such matters confidentially, respectfully, and without bias, in the interest of maintaining the integrity and credibility of the scholarly record. 

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2. Authorship and Contributions

Authorship must represent a genuine intellectual contribution to the research. All listed authors share collective responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the published work. Proper attribution of authorship ensures academic transparency and prevents practices such as guest, ghost, or honorary authorship.

Authorship Criteria

An individual qualifies for authorship only if they have met all of the following conditions:
• Made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the study;
• Participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for intellectual content;
• Given final approval of the version to be published;
• Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to accuracy or integrity are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Contributors who do not meet these criteria (e.g., those providing technical assistance, general supervision, or administrative support) should not be listed as authors but may be recognized in the Acknowledgments section.

Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that:
• All authors meet authorship criteria and have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript;
• All disclosures regarding conflicts of interest, ethics approvals, and funding are complete and accurate;
• Communication with the Editorial Office is maintained throughout submission, review, and publication;
• Any corrections, retractions, or responses to ethical queries are coordinated in a timely and transparent manner.

Author Contribution Statement (CRediT System)

To promote transparency, the journal encourages the use of the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) framework. Each author’s specific role (e.g., conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, writing—original draft, writing—review & editing, supervision, funding acquisition) should be identified clearly in the manuscript.

Changes in Authorship

Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission must be justified in writing and approved by all authors. The request must explain the reason for the change and include signed confirmation (email is acceptable) from every author. Once accepted for publication, authorship changes are only possible under exceptional circumstances and must be accompanied by a published correction.

Accountability and Data Responsibility

All authors share responsibility for the reliability of the data and interpretations presented. If any part of the work is found to be inaccurate or ethically questionable, all authors are expected to cooperate with the journal in issuing corrections, clarifications, or retractions as appropriate.

Acknowledgments and Contributors

Individuals or organizations who contributed to the research but do not meet authorship criteria—such as data collectors, funders, or technical assistants—should be acknowledged, with their consent, in a separate Acknowledgments section.

Use of AI or AI-Assisted Technologies

Authors must disclose any use of artificial intelligence or AI-assisted tools (for text generation, data analysis, or image processing) during manuscript preparation. Such tools cannot be listed as authors. The authors remain fully responsible for verifying the accuracy, originality, and ethical compliance of all content produced with AI assistance.

Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure

All authors must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could influence the objectivity of the research. These include financial relationships, institutional affiliations, or personal circumstances that might create bias.
Funding sources must be clearly identified, including grant numbers, funder names, and the extent of their involvement in study design, data collection, analysis, or publication decisions. Where no specific funding was received, this must also be explicitly stated.

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3. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors play a central role in ensuring the quality, integrity, and transparency of the publication process. They must act with fairness, independence, and accountability in all editorial decisions, maintaining the credibility of the scholarly record. Editorial practices must align with international ethical standards and reflect the principles set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Editorial Independence and Decision-Making

Editors have full authority over editorial content and decision-making. Manuscripts must be evaluated solely on their scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope, without influence from the authors’ institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, or personal relationships. Editorial decisions should never be affected by commercial or political interests.

Fair and Impartial Evaluation

Editors are responsible for ensuring that each manuscript receives an objective and unbiased assessment. The double-blind peer review process is applied to all submissions to guarantee confidentiality and impartiality. Editors must ensure that reviewers are suitably qualified and free from conflicts of interest related to the manuscript.

Confidentiality

Editors must maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and related correspondence. Information about a submission should only be shared with the corresponding author, assigned reviewers, and editorial staff involved in the publication process. Editors may not disclose or use any part of the unpublished manuscript for their own research or personal advantage.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must declare any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which such conflicts exist. If an editor submits their own work to the journal, it must be processed by another member of the editorial board who has no conflict of interest with the submission.

Ethical Oversight and Misconduct Handling

Editors are responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record and ensuring that editorial decisions are made in accordance with the journal’s ethical standards and procedures, following COPE guidance to ensure consistent, transparent, and unbiased handling of ethical concerns.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If significant errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles, editors must take prompt action to issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern. These actions must be clearly linked to the original publication to maintain the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record.

Editorial Accountability

Editors must uphold the integrity of the editorial process and continuously strive to improve journal practices. They are encouraged to participate in training and discussions on publication ethics, peer review, and responsible editorial conduct. The Editorial Office maintains records of editorial decisions and ensures consistency across all published issues.

Use of AI and Editorial Tools

Editors and reviewers are prohibited from uploading unpublished manuscripts or parts thereof to public AI platforms for analysis, editing, or review. Any use of AI-assisted tools within the editorial process must occur within secure and confidential environments, preserving the integrity and privacy of submitted work.

Advertising and Marketing Policy

The journal does not publish commercial advertising, sponsored content, or direct-marketing materials. Any potential revenue sources remain entirely independent of editorial decision-making.

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4. Open Access and Copyright

The journal is committed to the principles of open science and unrestricted access to knowledge. All published articles are made freely available online immediately upon publication, without any subscription or access fees. This policy supports global dissemination, equitable access, and maximum visibility of research outputs. ESTUSCIENCE-SE does not charge authors any submission, processing, or publication fees. All costs are covered by institutional support.

Open Access Policy

The journal follows a fully open access model, ensuring that all content can be read, downloaded, distributed, and reused without restriction, provided that proper attribution is given to the original authors and the source. Readers, educators, and researchers worldwide are encouraged to use published material in accordance with the stated license terms. The open access policy reflects the journal’s dedication to removing barriers in academic communication and promoting collaboration across disciplines.

Copyright and Licensing

All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). This license permits users to copy, share, adapt, and build upon the work for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the original publication. Authors retain the copyright to their work. By publishing in the journal, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the work under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reuse or reproduce any third-party material (such as figures, tables, or images) included in their manuscripts. If such materials are not covered by the same open license, authors must provide evidence of permission from the rights holder.

Preprints and Postprints

The journal supports the open sharing of research through preprints and postprints. Authors may post their submitted or accepted manuscripts on institutional or subject repositories, personal websites, or preprint servers, provided that they acknowledge the journal as the final place of publication and include a DOI link to the published version. Sharing preprints does not affect the peer review or acceptance of manuscripts.

Archiving and Preservation

All published articles of ESTUSCIENCE-SE are archived and preserved through the DergiPark platform, operated by TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM, which provides long-term digital preservation and ensures the continuity of access to the journal’s content. The platform maintains persistent identifiers (DOIs) and complete metadata, supporting long-term discoverability, citability, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

Reuse and Attribution

When reusing content, proper citation of the authors, article title, journal name, and DOI is mandatory. The journal encourages the academic community to build upon published research responsibly and transparently. Misrepresentation of authorship or content manipulation is strictly prohibited.

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5. Peer Review Policy

Peer review is an essential element of scholarly publishing, ensuring that every manuscript published meets the highest standards of scientific quality, accuracy, and originality. The Editorial Office manages this process with fairness, confidentiality, and transparency, following the best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Peer Review Model and Process

The journal operates under a double-blind peer-review system, in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the evaluation process. Every submission is first assessed by the Editorial Office for its relevance, originality, structure, and adherence to journal guidelines. Manuscripts passing this initial screening are assigned to qualified reviewers with expertise in the relevant field.

Each manuscript is typically reviewed by at least two independent reviewers, who evaluate its scientific validity, methodological rigor, and contribution to the field. Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, unbiased, and evidence-based comments to help authors improve their work. The Editorial Office makes final decisions based on the reviewers’ recommendations and the overall quality of the manuscript.

Reviewer Selection and Responsibilities

Reviewers are chosen based on their subject expertise, research background, and absence of conflicts of interest. They must adhere to the principles of objectivity, confidentiality, and professional conduct throughout the process.

• Reviews must be completed within the timeframe specified by the Editorial Office.
• Reviewer reports should focus on the content and methodology, not on personal criticism of the authors.
• Reviewers are expected to report any concerns related to the ethical integrity or originality of a manuscript to the Editorial Office without delay.
• Reviewers must not use information obtained during the review for personal advantage or share it with third parties.

Editorial Oversight and Decision-Making

The Editorial Office ensures that peer review is conducted consistently and transparently. All reviewer recommendations—acceptance, revision, or rejection—are carefully evaluated by the editors. The final decision always rests with the Editor-in-Chief, which considers reviewer input, editorial judgment, and the journal’s publication standards. Authors are informed of decisions promptly, along with reviewer feedback.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

The confidentiality of the peer-review process is strictly maintained. Identities of reviewers and authors are not disclosed to each other, and all submitted materials are treated as confidential. Reviewers’ reports are shared only with the authors and editors involved in the evaluation process.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers and editors must avoid any situation that might present a real or perceived conflict of interest. If a reviewer recognizes a conflict—such as prior collaboration with the author, competition, or financial interest—they must immediately decline the review invitation.

Use of AI or Automated Tools in Review

Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts, even in part, to generative AI or automated analysis tools that could compromise confidentiality. Any assistance from language-checking or reference management software must comply with data privacy and confidentiality principles.

Integrity and Accountability

The Editorial Office monitors the quality of reviews and may exclude reviewers who consistently provide inadequate, biased, or unethical feedback. The journal maintains records of the review process for transparency and accountability. Reviewers who demonstrate excellence and reliability may be recognized or invited to join the editorial board in the future.

Through these principles, ESTUSCIENCE-SE ensures that its peer-review process remains fair, transparent, and scientifically rigorous, preserving the trust that underpins academic publishing. 

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6. Post-Publication Policy

Maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record extends beyond the publication stage. The journal is committed to addressing post-publication issues responsibly and transparently, in line with international best practices and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

Corrections and Errata

If a significant error is identified in a published article that affects its scientific accuracy, authors are required to notify the Editorial Office immediately. Corrections (errata) are issued when honest errors are discovered that do not compromise the overall validity of the work. The corrected version is published online with a clear link to the original article and an explanation of the change. Minor typographical or formatting adjustments that do not alter meaning are corrected silently during routine updates.

Retractions

A retraction may be issued if the published article contains serious flaws, fabricated or falsified data, plagiarism, or ethical violations that invalidate the findings. The retraction decision is made by the Editorial Office following the COPE retraction guidelines and after consulting the authors and, when necessary, their institutions. Retracted articles remain accessible in the journal archive but are clearly marked as “Retracted,” along with an explanatory retraction notice to maintain transparency in the scholarly record.

Expressions of Concern

When substantial doubts arise regarding the reliability or integrity of a publication and an investigation is ongoing or inconclusive, the journal may issue an Expression of Concern. This notice alerts readers to potential issues while ensuring fairness to all parties until a final decision is reached. The notice will be updated or replaced once the outcome of the investigation is confirmed.

Addenda and Updates

If authors wish to add clarifications, data, or additional information that enhances understanding without changing the article’s conclusions, the journal may publish an addendum. Such additions are subject to editorial review and are linked to the original publication for full transparency.

Post-Publication Discussions

Constructive post-publication dialogue is encouraged when it contributes to scholarly discourse or corrects misunderstanding. Comments or responses must be submitted formally to the Editorial Office and will be subject to editorial screening to ensure academic relevance, professionalism, and factual accuracy before publication.

Archiving and Preservation

All published materials are permanently preserved through the journal’s archiving system to ensure long-term access and integrity. In cases where a correction, retraction, or other notice is issued, the original version remains accessible, accompanied by the official update notice.

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7. Privacy and Confidentiality

The journal recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved in the editorial and publication process. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to handle all submitted materials and related communications with the highest level of discretion and professionalism.

Manuscript Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to the journal are treated as confidential documents. Editors and reviewers must not share, discuss, or disclose any details about a submission—including its content, data, or identity of contributors—with anyone outside the peer-review process. Manuscripts, reviews, and editorial communications must not be used for personal research or advantage.

Information obtained during the review process may not be used to discredit or compete with the authors’ work. Reviewers and editors are required to delete or destroy all manuscript files once the review or editorial process is complete.

Reviewer and Author Anonymity

The journal operates under a double-blind peer-review system, which means that the identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential to each other throughout the review process. Editors must ensure that all correspondence and file management uphold this anonymity.

Data Protection and Personal Information

The Editorial Office collects and stores personal data—such as names, affiliations, contact details, and ORCID identifiers—solely for the purposes of editorial management and publication. This information is processed in compliance with applicable data protection laws and is never shared with third parties without explicit consent, except where legally required.

Users of the journal’s website may provide personal data through submission systems, subscriptions, or contact forms. Such information is handled securely and used only for communication related to journal operations. The journal’s website does not collect unnecessary personal data and does not share user information for marketing or commercial purposes.

Ethical Handling of Sensitive Data

Authors must ensure that any research involving human participants, medical records, or other sensitive information complies with ethical and legal standards of privacy protection. Identifiable information (e.g., names, images, or personal data) may only be published with the explicit written consent of the individuals involved or their legal guardians.

Retention and Access to Records

Editorial and review records are retained securely by the Editorial Office for audit and transparency purposes. Access to these records is restricted to authorized personnel. Upon request, relevant materials may be shared with oversight bodies or institutions in cases of alleged research misconduct, in accordance with COPE guidelines.

By enforcing strict privacy and confidentiality practices, the journal ensures trust, integrity, and respect across all stages of the publication process, safeguarding the rights and reputations of all contributors to the scholarly community.

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8. Publishing Ethics and Integrity

The journal upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical publishing. All participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, editors, and the Editorial Office—are expected to adhere to internationally recognized ethical principles. The journal’s practices align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in scholarly communication.

Principles of Ethical Publishing

Every manuscript must represent original work that has not been published or submitted elsewhere. Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, image manipulation, duplicate publication, and citation manipulation are considered serious violations of publication ethics. The Editorial Office employs similarity-checking software during submission to identify potential overlap or misuse of previously published material.

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their work. When errors or inconsistencies are identified, authors must cooperate fully with the Editorial Office to issue appropriate corrections or retractions. Reviewers and editors are equally responsible for reporting suspected ethical breaches encountered during the review process.

Plagiarism and Redundant Publication

Plagiarism includes copying text, ideas, data, or figures from another source without proper attribution. The journal is committed to upholding high ethical standards and addresses any plagiarism concerns through careful editorial review in line with COPE guidance. Submissions with significant overlap—whether from the authors’ own previous work (self-plagiarism) or from external sources—will be rejected. If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the article may be retracted following COPE guidelines.

Redundant or duplicate publication occurs when authors submit similar work with overlapping content to multiple journals or divide a single study into several papers. Such practices distort the scientific record and are considered unethical and subject to rejection or retraction in accordance with COPE guidelines.

All submissions are screened for similarity using iThenticate software prior to peer review. The journal does not rely solely on numeric similarity scores; editors carefully evaluate each report to distinguish legitimate overlap (e.g., references, methods, or previously published conference abstracts) from potential plagiarism or self-plagiarism.

As a general guideline, manuscripts showing a high overall similarity level or a notable amount of overlap from a single source may be returned to authors for revision or clarification.
The final decision on acceptability is made by the Editorial Office after manual assessment of the similarity report.

Data Integrity and Research Misconduct

Authors must ensure that all data presented in their manuscripts are accurate, complete, and derived from legitimate research practices. Fabrication and falsification are serious forms of research misconduct. When concerns arise, the Editorial Office may request access to raw data for verification and will determine appropriate action, including correction, rejection, or retraction, in accordance with COPE procedures.

Conflicts of Interest

All parties involved in the editorial process must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their judgment. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, patents, or other competing interests. The Editorial Office ensures that manuscripts are handled by editors and reviewers with no conflicts of interest related to the work under consideration.

Citation and Reference Integrity

All authors, editors, and reviewers must uphold responsible citation practices. References should be relevant, accurate, and selected solely for their scholarly contribution. Editors and reviewers must not request citations to their own work or to the journal as a condition of acceptance unless scientifically justified. The Editorial Office monitors citation patterns and reserves the right to investigate irregularities following COPE guidelines.

Human and Animal Research Ethics

Studies involving human participants or animals must comply with recognized ethical standards and be approved by appropriate institutional review boards or ethics committees. Authors must state the name of the ethics committee, approval number (if applicable), and confirm adherence to relevant ethical frameworks such as the Declaration of Helsinki or the ARRIVE Guidelines.

Allegations of Misconduct and Investigation Procedures

All allegations of research or publication misconduct are handled according to COPE’s flowcharts and best practices. When a credible concern is raised, the Editorial Office conducts a preliminary review and, if necessary, contacts the authors for clarification. If misconduct is confirmed or cannot be resolved, the case may be referred to the author’s institution or funding body for formal investigation. Depending on the outcome, appropriate actions—such as rejection, correction, retraction, or expression of concern—will be taken to safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

The journal is committed to maintaining an accurate and trustworthy academic record. If significant errors or ethical breaches are identified after publication, the Editorial Office will issue a correction, retraction, or expression of concern in accordance with COPE retraction guidelines. All such notices will be linked to the original article and made freely available to ensure full transparency.

By enforcing these principles, the journal promotes honesty, rigor, and responsibility in research and publishing—ensuring that every article contributes reliably to the advancement of science and engineering.

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9. Research Ethics

The journal is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in research and publication. All submitted manuscripts must demonstrate compliance with established national and international ethical guidelines governing research involving human participants, animals, biological materials, and sensitive data. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their studies have been conducted with integrity, respect, and transparency at every stage of the research process.

Ethical Approval and Oversight

Research involving human participants, human data, or biological samples must receive prior approval from an accredited institutional review board or ethics committee. The name of the committee, approval number, and date of approval must be clearly stated in the manuscript. Authors must confirm that their study conforms to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and any applicable national or institutional standards.

For studies involving animals, authors must confirm that all procedures were performed in accordance with institutional and international guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. The name of the relevant ethics committee or governing authority must be included in the manuscript, along with an assurance that all reasonable efforts were made to minimize animal suffering.

Informed Consent and Participant Privacy

Authors must obtain written informed consent from all human participants prior to their inclusion in a study. If participants are minors or otherwise incapable of providing consent, permission must be obtained from their parents or legal guardians. When publishing identifiable information—such as photographs, case details, or clinical data—authors must secure explicit consent for publication. A statement confirming informed consent must be included in the manuscript. The journal reserves the right to request copies of consent forms if necessary.

Participant privacy and confidentiality must always be protected. Personal identifiers should be removed or anonymized unless essential to the research purpose and consent has been obtained. Data sharing must comply with relevant privacy laws and institutional requirements.

Research Involving Biological Materials and Heritage Samples

Collection and use of biological specimens (including cultivated or wild samples, fossils, or genetic material) must comply with institutional, national, and international regulations. Authors must obtain and document all necessary permissions or licenses for field studies, sample collection, and material transfer. For fossil, archaeological, or heritage materials, authors must demonstrate adherence to applicable laws governing the protection and ownership of cultural and natural resources.

Clinical Trials Registration and Reporting

Although ESTUSCIENCE-SE generally does not publish clinical trials, authors submitting any work involving human participants, medical interventions, or clinical data must follow recognized international standards. Such studies must be registered in a public trials registry before participant recruitment, and the registration number must be included in the manuscript.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Technologies

If AI or AI-assisted tools are used in research design, data analysis, or manuscript preparation, this must be transparently disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgments section. Authors must retain full responsibility for the integrity and validity of any results generated with AI support.

Ethical Data Management and Sharing

Authors must ensure that research data are collected and managed ethically. Data should be stored securely, made available for verification when appropriate, and shared responsibly in accordance with privacy and consent restrictions. When datasets are published or deposited in repositories, proper citation and documentation must be provided.

All submissions must include a Data-Availability Statement indicating where the supporting data can be accessed or explaining any justified restrictions (e.g., privacy, confidentiality, or proprietary limitations). Editors may request access to data for verification during peer review.

Compliance Verification and Ethical Accountability

The Editorial Office may request additional documentation—such as ethics approval letters or consent forms—to verify compliance. Failure to meet research ethics standards may result in rejection, correction, or retraction of the article. Authors, editors, and reviewers are jointly responsible for reporting and addressing any ethical concerns identified before or after publication.