Ethical Principles and Publication Policy (Open Access)
Open Access Policy
The journal is a fully open access, peer-reviewed scholarly journal committed to the free, immediate, and permanent dissemination of academic knowledge. All published articles are accessible online without subscription fees, registration requirements, or access barriers.
The journal does not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs), submission fees, or publication fees to authors. Neither authors nor readers are required to make any payments at any stage of the publication process.
This open access policy aligns with the principles of the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and supports the global exchange of knowledge in an equitable and inclusive manner.
Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain the copyright of their published work. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution(CC BY) license, allowing users to read, download, copy, distribute, adapt, and build upon the work, provided that appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the journal.
Publication Ethics and Standards
The journal adheres to the ethical principles and best practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows internationally recognized standards of academic integrity and transparency.
All stakeholders involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to comply with these ethical standards.
Ethical Responsibilities of Authors
Authors submitting manuscripts to the journal must ensure that:
• The submitted work is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere.
• All sources are properly cited in accordance with APA (7th edition) guidelines.
• Research data and findings are reported accurately, transparently, and honestly; fabrication, falsification, or data manipulation is strictly prohibited.
• Authorship reflects substantial scholarly contribution; honorary, guest, or ghost authorship is not permitted.
• Any conflict of interest, financial support, or institutional affiliation that may influence the research is clearly disclosed.
• Research involving human participants, sensitive data, or dual-use technologies complies with relevant ethical approvals and legal frameworks.
Ethical Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for:
• Ensuring a fair, impartial, and confidential editorial and peer review process.
• Evaluating manuscripts solely on academic merit, originality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and scholarly quality.
• Upholding the integrity of the double-blind peer review system.
• Taking appropriate action in cases of suspected misconduct, plagiarism, or ethical violations, in line with COPE guidelines.
• Maintaining editorial independence and preventing commercial, political, or personal interests from influencing decisions.
Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers are expected to:
• Conduct reviews in an objective, constructive, and timely manner.
• Treat manuscripts as confidential documents.
• Declare any conflict of interest that could compromise impartiality.
• Identify relevant literature that has not been cited and report any ethical concerns to the editors.
• Refrain from using information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage.
Peer Review Policy
All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed. Each submission is reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field.
Editorial decisions are based on reviewers’ evaluations and the editors’ assessment of the manuscript’s academic rigor, originality, and relevance.
Technology Ethics and Dual-Use Research
Given the journal’s focus on emerging technologies and security-related fields, particular attention is paid to the ethical, legal, and societal implications of research involving artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, biotechnology, and space technologies.
Authors are encouraged to address potential dual-use risks, normative concerns, and governance challenges associated with technological innovation.
Plagiarism and Research Misconduct
The journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and other forms of research misconduct. All submissions may be screened using plagiarism detection software.
In cases of confirmed misconduct, the journal reserves the right to reject the manuscript, retract published articles, and inform relevant institutions when necessary.
Corrections, Retractions, and Complaints
The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Errors, ethical concerns, or disputes are addressed through corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern, in accordance with COPE procedures.
Complaints and appeals are handled transparently, objectively, and in a timely manner.
Archiving and Digital Preservation
The journal ensures long-term digital preservation and accessibility of its content through appropriate archiving systems and repositories, supporting sustainable open access.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in published articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the publisher. Authors bear full responsibility for the content of their work.