Publication Ethics and Responsibilities
The publication processes applied in the *Journal of Geomorphological Research (JADER)* form the foundation for the impartial and respected development and dissemination of knowledge. These processes directly reflect the quality of the work of authors and their supporting institutions. Peer-reviewed studies embody and reinforce the scientific method. Therefore, it is essential that all stakeholders in the process (authors, readers, researchers, publishers, reviewers, and editors) adhere to ethical standards. Within the framework of publication ethics, JADER expects all stakeholders to uphold the following responsibilities.
The ethical duties and responsibilities outlined below have been prepared in accordance with the guidelines and policies published by the **Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)**.
Publishing an article in a peer-reviewed journal is a fundamental building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. This reflects directly on the quality of the work of authors and their institutions. Peer-reviewed articles support and shape scientific methods. Therefore, agreement on expected ethical standards is important for all parties involved in publishing: authors, journal editors, reviewers, and publishers.
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### 1. Authors’ Ethical Responsibilities
- Copyright cannot be claimed for manuscripts submitted to the journal.
- Submitted manuscripts must be original.
- References must be complete, and all cited sources must be properly acknowledged.
- Authors wishing to withdraw a manuscript must submit a written request.
- Potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
- Authors may be asked to provide raw data during the review process and must be prepared to share it with the editorial or scientific board.
- If authors discover an error in their published, early-view, or under-review manuscript, they must inform the editor or publisher and cooperate in correction or retraction.
- Authorship responsibilities cannot be changed once the review process has begun (e.g., adding/removing authors, changing author order).
- Manuscripts submitted to JADER must comply with research and publication ethics.
**Violations of research and publication ethics include:**
- *Plagiarism*: Presenting others’ ideas, methods, data, applications, writings, figures, or works without proper citation.
- *Fabrication*: Producing data not based on research or presenting false data.
- *Falsification*: Manipulating research records or data, misrepresenting methods, or altering results.
- *Duplicate publication*: Publishing the same results in multiple works.
- *Salami slicing*: Fragmenting research results into multiple publications without proper cross-referencing.
- *Unjust authorship*: Including individuals without contribution or excluding contributors.
- *Other violations*: Failure to acknowledge support, disregard for human/animal ethics, misuse of resources, or making unfounded accusations of misconduct.
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### 2. Editors’ Ethical Duties and Responsibilities
Editors follow COPE’s *Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors*. Their responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the quality and integrity of published works.
- Supporting academic freedom and intellectual property rights.
- Maintaining transparency in corrections and clarifications.
- Upholding impartiality in relations with readers, authors, reviewers, and the editorial board.
- Implementing and monitoring the double-blind peer-review process.
- Protecting personal data and ensuring compliance with human and animal rights.
- Preventing misconduct and addressing complaints constructively.
- Safeguarding against political or commercial influence.
- Managing conflicts of interest to guarantee independent and unbiased publication decisions.
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### 3. Reviewers’ Responsibilities
- All manuscripts are evaluated under a **double-blind peer-review system**.
- At least two reviewers assess each manuscript; if one rejects, a third reviewer or the editor makes the final decision.
- Reviews must be objective, impartial, and constructive.
- Reviewers must be experts in the subject matter.
- Conflicts of interest must be avoided.
- Reviewed manuscripts must remain confidential and destroyed after evaluation.
- Reviews must focus solely on content, free from bias related to nationality, gender, religion, politics, or commercial interests.
- Reviewers must report any misconduct (e.g., plagiarism) to the editor immediately.
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### 4. Publisher’s Ethical Responsibilities
- JADER does not charge authors any fees.
- Editorial decisions are independent of economic or political considerations.
- The journal protects copyright and maintains records of all published works.
- The database is openly accessible online.
- Measures are taken against plagiarism, citation manipulation, and unethical practices.
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### 5. Plagiarism Detection Policy
All manuscripts are screened using **intihal.net** and **iThenticate** to confirm originality and absence of plagiarism.
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### 6. Reporting Ethical Misconduct
If you notice a significant error or unethical behavior in a published article, please contact:
📧 **jader@jd.org.tr** or **curebal@balikesir.edu.tr**.
Complaints are welcomed as opportunities for improvement, and JADER aims to respond promptly and constructively.