Positive Science International

Scientific original articles for publication in Positive Science International should be submitted online after completing the registration process on the journal's web page. The journal publishes original research, research notes, short research articles, and review papers. Articles submitted to the journal must not have been published elsewhere or be in the process of publication. The author(s) bear(s) full responsibility for the work.
The journal editor is not responsible for technical content and printing errors in accepted works after the 'Proof' stage. No royalties are paid for published works. Works must be written in English, adhering to the stated writing guidelines.
All articles submitted to our journal undergo plagiarism check through iThenticate and/or Turnitin programs during the preliminary screening stage. The similarity rate in the plagiarism report generated after the plagiarism check should be at most 30%. Articles with a similarity rate above this percentage are rejected.
All articles considered for evaluation must meet certain academic standards. The article included in the editorial process is submitted by the editor/field editor to at least two subject expert reviewers for evaluation of its scientific content. In case of disagreement in reviewer opinions, another reviewer's opinion may be sought for a final decision. For articles submitted for publication to be published in the journal, they must be deemed appropriate in terms of scientific content and format and be accepted by the reviewers.

Title Page:

The title page should include the title, article type, and author information. The title page should be uploaded to the system as a separate file, distinct from the 'Full Text'.
Article title: A comprehensive and understandable title should be used for the article. The first letter of the title should be capitalized, with the remaining letters in lowercase. The text should be left-aligned, and the font should be Times New Roman, 14-point size.
The full names of the authors in the article should be provided on the title page, and the corresponding author should be indicated. Additionally, all authors' email addresses, ORCID information, and their affiliated institutions (University, Faculty, Institute, Department, etc.), city, and country should be listed respectively. (For articles submitted in English, care should be taken to provide the address information in English). Moreover, on the title page, financial disclosure, ethics committee approval/permissions, acknowledgments, and conflict of interest information should be provided (this information will be placed after the conclusion section and before the references during the publication of the article).
Funding Information: In this section, it should be clearly stated whether the study was supported by any institution and/or organization.
Ethics Committee Approval and Permissions: If the article requires ethics committee approval, the committee from which the approval was obtained, the date, and the approval number should be clearly stated under this heading. For studies requiring ethics committee approval and their details, please review the Ethical Principles and Publication Policy.
If the article does not require ethics committee approval, the statement ‘'This study does not require ethics committee approval, or any special permission'’ should be included. Additionally, the declaration form must be signed by the corresponding author and uploaded to the system during the article submission stage.
Conflicts of Interest: The author(s) must explicitly state the presence/absence of any conflict of interest in this section (for example, in a case where there is no conflict of interest, the author(s) may use the statement '’There is no conflict of interest'’).
Author's Contribution: In this section, statements such as '’The authors contributed equally to the study'’ or '’The first author contributed 60% and the second author contributed 40% to the study'’ should be included.
Acknowledgments: In this section, if data from sources such as thesis, projects, etc. were used, it should be clearly stated. Additionally, individuals and/or institutions outside of these sources can also be acknowledged.

Main Text:

The main text should be prepared as a single file, separate from the title page. The main text should not include author names and should start with the title. It should contain the Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion sections. The article text should be prepared using Microsoft Office Word 2010 or later versions. The article pages should be created in A4 (210 x 297 mm) size, single column, justified alignment, with 2.5 cm margins on all sides. The line spacing of the text should be set to 1.5, there should be one line space between paragraphs, and there should be no automatic spacing before or after paragraphs. The article text should be written in Times New Roman font and 9-point size. The article text should not exceed 20 pages. The article should be divided into different main sections, and these sections should be numbered. Section headings should be in bold font. Numbering should start from 1. for main sections and continue as 2., 3. ... for all main headings (excluding Abstract, Acknowledgments, References, and Appendices). Secondary headings should continue in accordance with the main section numbering as 1.1., 1.2., 1.3. ... The first letter of each word in secondary headings should be capitalized. Tertiary headings should continue in accordance with the secondary headings as 1.1.1., 1.1.2., 1.1.3. ... For tertiary headings, only the first letter of the first word should be capitalized. Fourth headings should be underlined.

The main text should be structured in the following order:
Abstract: This section should provide a summary stating the purpose, theory, and methods of the study, and showing the main findings. The abstract text should be justified and in Times New Roman 9-point font. The abstract should contain approximately 100-250 words and should not use paragraphs.
Keywords: The number of keywords should be a maximum of 5 words and should be after the abstract. Each keyword should be separated by a comma. Only the first letter of the first keyword should be capitalized, all other keywords should be written in lowercase. It should be in Times New Roman 9-point font.
Introduction: It should contain sufficient literature background establishing the purpose and context of the study. It should include information explaining the subject of the study, but should not contain a detailed literature review and results. Technical terms, symbols, and abbreviations should be defined when first used in the article.
Materials and Methods: If the study conducted is an experimental study, the experimental procedure/method should be clearly explained. If a theoretical study was conducted, the theoretical method should be given in detail.
Results and Discussion: The obtained results should be presented clearly and concisely. The findings should be discussed by comparing them with the literature.
Conclusion: The main conclusions of the study should be briefly presented. 

If there are tables, figures, and equations, they should be prepared in accordance with the format.

Equation Format and Numbering: If an equation is to be given in the article, equations should fit within an 8.5 cm column width. When referencing equations in the text, they should be given as Eq. 1, Eq. 2 .... The equation numbering should be written as text outside the formula box in the form (1), (2), (3)... The font of the equations should be Times New Roman and 9-point size.
Figure Format: Everything other than tables (photographs, drawings, diagrams, graphs, maps, etc.) should be labeled as a figure. Each figure should be numbered according to its order of appearance in the text and should be placed after the relevant paragraph. Figure captions should be placed below the figure and should be given in Times New Roman 9-point font. Figures should be in high resolution (300 dpi or higher). Accepted image formats are: .jpeg, .png, .tiff, .bmp, .eps, .wmf, .emf, or pdf. File sizes should not exceed 1 MB. The font type and size used in figures should be the same as the article text.
Table Format: Each table should be numbered according to its order of appearance in the text, and all tables should be placed after the relevant paragraph. Table captions should be placed above the table and should be given in Times New Roman 9-point font. Bold font should not be used in tables. The font used in tables should be Times New Roman 9-point. However, 8-point font may also be used in cases where the text does not fit. Tables should not be presented as images.
Units of Measurement and Abbreviations: Abbreviations in the text should be explained in parentheses when first used. The International System of Units (Système International d'Unités, SI) should be used for scientific data. In numerical data, a period should be used instead of a comma (e.g., 3.57, not 3,57). In expressing units, mg/mL should be used instead of mg.ml-1, and mg/kg and μg/kg can be preferred alongside ppm and ppb, respectively. Statistical analysis results should be included in the discussion, and probability should be indicated with a capitalized and italicized "P" with no space after P (e.g., P<0.05). Special characters in the text should be created using the symbol and equation tab.
In-text citation: If works and/or statements of others are used within the study, it should be ensured that this is properly and appropriately cited. The referenced sources should be numbered in square brackets in the order they appear in the text.
Okçu [1] or Mitchell [2]...
Engez and Ergönül [3] or Gamon and Pearcy [4]... Asefa et al. [5] or Straser et al. [6].

References: All sources cited in the article should be listed at the end of the article. The reference list should be arranged according to the order of in-text citations, not alphabetically, starting with [1] and continuing from the lowest number to the highest number. Only one source can be accepted for each reference number in the reference list. APA 7 style should be used for referencing. Additionally, at least 30% of the sources cited in the article should consist of current sources published in the last 5 years.
References should be numbered according to the order of appearance in the text (including citations in tables and explanations) and should be listed individually at the end of the article. Whenever possible, a digital object identifier (DOI) should be included for all references.
References should be prepared in the following formats:
- If the reference is an article:
[1] Öztürk, T., & Güven, A. (2020). New data on digenean parasites of Rusty Blenny, Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814) in the Black Sea. Journal of Natural Sciences of Sinop University, 5(1), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.33484/sinopfbd.649986
- If the reference is a book:
Book prepared by author(s) [1] Karayücel, İ., & Karayücel, S. (2016). Reproduction in Fish. Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık Eğitim ve Danışmanlık Tic. Ltd. Şti. Book prepared by editor(s) [1] Erkmen, O. (Ed.). (2010). Food Microbiology. Efil Publisher.
- If the reference is a book chapter:
[1] Kocatepe, D., & Çorapcı, B. (2019). Color Measurement Methods and Their Use in Seafood Processing Technology. In F. Irmak Yılmaz, (Ed), Academic Studies in Agricultural Sciences, (pp. 73-93). IVPE.
- If the reference is a published thesis:
[1] Osturk Somek, S. (2023). Characterization of Deposits Formed in the Combustion Chamber of Gas Engines Used in Energy Production from Landfill Gas and Determination of Their Formation Mechanism (Thesis No. 797482) [Doctoral dissertation, Gebze Technical University].
- If the reference is a conference paper:
Conference presentation [1] Çorapcı, B., Nilgün, K., & Eryaşar, K. (2013, October 24-26). Fish Baked in A Salt Crust [Conference presentation]. The 2nd International Symposium on 'Traditional Foods From Adriatic to Caucasus', Ohrid Lake, Macedonia. http://traditionalfoods2013.nku.edu.tr/ Conference presentation published in a journal [1] Çorapcı, B., Nilgün, K., & Eryaşar, K. (2015). A traditional food: 'fish baked in a salt crust'. International Food Research Journal, 22(2), 866-868. http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/22%20(02)%202015/(59).pdf
- If the reference is from a webpage:
Web Page Cascio, J. (2021, February 10). A Harvest of Green Tomatoes. UAF. http://cespubs.uaf.edu/publications/?&s=*&pt=*&cat=6 Web Page Without Author (Anonymous) Larger than life wildlife sculptures. Leader.ca. May 23, 2023. https://leader.ca/visiting-leader/photogallery/ Official Web Page Higher Education Information Management System. (2024, April 15). Student statistics. https://istatistik.yok.gov.tr/

Appendix: If there is only one appendix in the article, it should be named Appendix A. If there are multiple appendices, they should be named Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C ... Equation numbering in the appendices should be given as A1, A2, A3 ... Table and Figure numbering should be given as Table A1, Table A2, Figure A1, Figure A2 ...

Research and Publication Ethics

Publication Policy

Positive Science International (PSI) is an open access and double-blind peer-reviewed journal published by Sinop University twice per year (June and December). The journal accepts high-quality studies written in English in the fields of engineering and fundamental sciences. All published items, including research articles, are freely accessible for use by any user or institution. Users can read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full text of the articles without prior permission from the publisher or the author.
Positive Science International (PSI) expects all stakeholders to adhere to the following ethical responsibilities as part of its publication ethics. The ethical duties and responsibilities of the journal have been prepared in line with the guidelines and policies published by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which are available as open access (See COPE Guidelines in Turkish).

Copyright
Positive Science International is a free open-access journal.

Fees
Positive Science International does not charge authors at any stage of the publication process (submission, evaluation, and publication). PDF copies of accepted articles can be downloaded free of charge.

Ethical Principles
Research requiring ethics committee approval, to be submitted to Positive Science International, includes the following:
• All research conducted using qualitative or quantitative methods that requires data collection from participants through techniques such as surveys, interviews, focus group research, observation, experiments, or discussions.
• The use of human and animal subjects (including materials/data) for experimental or other scientific purposes.
• Clinical research conducted on humans.
• Research conducted on animals.
• Retrospective studies conducted in accordance with data protection laws.
Additionally:
• It must be stated that “informed consent forms” have been obtained for case reports.
• Permission must be obtained from the owners of scales, surveys, or photographs belonging to others, and this should be indicated.
• Compliance with copyright regulations for the use of intellectual and artistic works must be noted.

For articles to be published in PSI Journal, it should be indicated whether ethics committee approval and/or legal/special permission is required. If such permissions are necessary, it should be clearly stated from which institution, on what date, and with which decision or issue number the approval was obtained.

PSI Journal considers ethical rules important for protecting the rights of both the journal and the authors and adheres to the ethical rules and responsibilities published by COPE.
It is expected that the editors, reviewers, and authors of PSI journal will comply with the following ethical principles.

Research Ethics
• Scientific methods must be followed in obtaining, analyzing, interpreting, and reaching conclusions from data. Non-scientific results cannot be presented as research outcomes.
• Research must comply with national and international agreements, and necessary permissions must be obtained from the relevant authorities.
• Data obtained in the studies should be used as permitted by the authorities and in the appropriate format. Confidential data should remain undisclosed.
• If the study involves the use of human or animal subjects, it must be declared that the study was conducted in accordance with relevant international declarations or guidelines.
• Experimental research on humans must comply with the Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects according to the "World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki".
• Experimental research on vertebrates or regulated invertebrates should be conducted in accordance with relevant institutional, national, or international guidelines. The journal supports the principles of the "Basel Declaration" and the guidelines published by the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS).
• Research involving species at risk of extinction is advised to comply with the "IUCN Policy Statement" and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Authors are recommended to clearly state their compliance with the relevant guidelines.

Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Violations
(The Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Directive by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE), Article 4)
• Plagiarism: Using someone else's expressions, inventions, or ideas without proper citation and presenting them as one's own work.
• Fabrication: Manipulating a research proposal, evaluation, or report for personal gain.
• Falsification: Distorting research records and data, presenting methods, devices, or materials not used in the study as if they were used, excluding data that does not support the research hypothesis, or manipulating results to fit certain interests.
• Duplicate publication: Presenting the same study in multiple publications for academic promotions as separate works.
• Slicing: Publishing parts of a previously published work as separate publications.
• Unfair authorship: Including individuals who did not contribute actively as authors or excluding those who did contribute. Unjustly changing the order of authorship, removing contributors' names from subsequent publications, or including names through influence.

Author Ethics
• Submissions must be original, unpublished, and in accordance with scientific research and publication ethics.
• Authors must confirm that they have read and understood the author guidelines.
• Authors should accurately cite sources used in the preparation of the manuscript in line with ethical standards.
• Authors who wish to withdraw their submission due to delays, corrections, or other reasons should inform the editor.
• All authors are expected to contribute to the study.
• All data in the article must be accurate and original.
• Authors cannot submit the same work to more than one journal simultaneously. Each submission must begin after the completion of the previous one.
• It is the responsibility of the authors to indicate whether their work requires ethics committee approval. Ethics approval must be stated in the materials and methods section.
• Authors must disclose any financial support for their research.

Reviewer Ethics
• Reviewers must be experts in the field addressed by the manuscript.
• Reviewers are obligated to provide objective and clear critiques. They should decline to review if they have conflicts of interest or biases.
• Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscripts and not share them with third parties.
• Reviewers should not use information from the manuscript for personal research or benefit.
• Reviewers must provide clear and detailed reasons for rejecting manuscripts.
• Reviewers must adhere to the journal’s research and publication ethics policies.

Editor Ethics
• Editors are responsible for assigning at least two reviewers for each manuscript in accordance with the subject matter.
• Editors must facilitate communication between reviewers and authors while respecting the double-blind review process.
• Editors must manage relationships with authors and reviewers transparently and impartially, without discrimination.
• Editors should not use their position for personal or academic gain.
• Editors must provide clear and detailed reasons for rejecting manuscripts.
• Editors must adhere to research, publication, and reviewer ethics.