Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty

PUBLICATION ETHICS

The publication procedures employed by the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty are fundamentally rooted in the equitable generation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge through rigorous scientific methodologies.

Scientific Research Ethics

Scientific methodologies are employed for data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and the derivation of findings. Outcomes lacking in scientific rigor cannot be presented as legitimate research results.
During research endeavors, it is imperative to adhere diligently to both national and international conventions and to secure requisite permissions from competent authorities.
The data acquired through scholarly investigations must be employed strictly within the parameters and formats specified by relevant authorities. It is imperative that any data deemed confidential be safeguarded accordingly and not disclosed.
Researchers bear the responsibility to promptly communicate any untoward circumstances stemming from their research endeavors to the pertinent individuals and institutions. Moreover, every researcher possesses the prerogative to abstain from participation in the research should such adverse circumstances manifest.
Peer-reviewed articles represent scholarly endeavors grounded in the rigorous application of scientific methods, thereby fostering objectivity. All stakeholders in the publication process, including publishers, editors, authors, reviewers, and readers, are expected to adhere to ethical principles for the promotion of scientific knowledge. In this regard, the principles of "publication ethics" and "open access" necessitate the unwavering commitment of all parties involved to ethical standards, as articulated in the guidelines and policies established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), such as the "Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors" and the "COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors."
Should the utilization of fraudulent or fabricated data by the author(s) of a manuscript be identified, the respective institution employing the author(s) will be promptly notified, and the manuscript will be rejected. The prerogative to request the author(s) to provide the original raw data used in the manuscript is retained by both the editorial board members of the journal and the reviewers.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI)

About the use of AI in scientific works, the Journal agrees with COPE’s statement (https://publicationethics.org/cope-position-statements/ai-author) on that manner: “The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT or Large Language Models in research publications is expanding rapidly. COPE joins organisations, such as WAME and the JAMA Network among others, to state that AI tools cannot be listed as an author of a paper. AI tools cannot meet the requirements for authorship as they cannot take responsibility for the submitted work. As non-legal entities, they cannot assert the presence or absence of conflicts of interest nor manage copyright and license agreements. Authors who use AI tools in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data, must be transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics.”
Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty strictly prohibits any section of an article from being authored, either wholly or in part, by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
AI tools may, however, be employed for purposes such as generating images or graphics, enhancing spelling and grammar, and augmenting the overall readability of the article. In such instances, authors are required to provide a clear and comprehensive elucidation regarding the application of AI tools in their work. It is paramount to emphasize that the author(s) bear full responsibility for the authenticity and originality of the content produced.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, which serves as the publisher of the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty, constitutes a publicly funded educational institution.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Editorial Board

The Editorial Board assumes comprehensive responsibility for overseeing all stages of the articles submitted to the journal. This responsibility necessitates the exercise of independent judgment, guided by considerations of the public welfare rather than personal interests. The association between the Publisher and the Editorial Board is firmly grounded in a policy of autonomy, where the decisions made by the editors remain entirely separate from the influence of the publisher and any other individuals or entities.
The Editorial Board continuously endeavors to enhance and elevate the scholarly quality of the journal.
The Editorial Board is responsible for establishing and implementing the journal's policies pertaining to publication, blind review procedures, evaluation processes, and ethical standards.
The Editorial Board retains the copyright for articles published in the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty.
The Editorial Board bears the responsibility of safeguarding the intellectual property rights of authors throughout the publication processes and ensuring the prevention of unethical conduct, including plagiarism and inappropriate citation practices.
The Editorial Board determines incentive policies for both authors and referees.
The Editorial Board maintains electronic records of each article.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors, Co-Editors and Field Editors

Editors diligently strive to provide clear and transparent communication to reviewers, authors, scholars, and readers, adhering to principles of clarity in their responses.
Throughout the publication process, editors are guided by the principles of originality, scholarly contribution, and relevance to both the readership and the broader research community when assessing articles.
In making determinations regarding the publication of articles, editors meticulously evaluate aspects such as originality, scholarly contribution, clarity of expression, content, as well as the validity and reliability of the submitted work.
Editors adhere to the policies of blind peer review and evaluation processes, ensuring the confidentiality of authors' personal information while facilitating impartial evaluations within stipulated timelines.
Editors conscientiously dispatch articles to field editors and reviewers, taking into account their areas of professional expertise, and are committed to ensuring impartial and independent evaluations.
During the evaluation processes, editors rigorously assess the presence of any potential conflicts of interest or collaborations between authors and reviewers.
Editors curate a diverse and extensive pool of reviewers, which is regularly updated to maintain its relevance.
Editors proactively thwart non-scientific behaviors that contravene established academic ethical norms.
Editors oversee the enforcement of journal publication processes in accordance with publishing policies and guidelines, provide stakeholders involved in the publication process with timely updates on policy developments, and develop training programs as needed.
Editors maintain effective and systematic communication with all stakeholders engaged in the publication processes, and they convene regular meetings to facilitate collaboration and coordination.
Editors place a premium on safeguarding the personal data of individuals involved in the assessment of articles, including authors, referees, and readers.
Editors prioritize the protection of human and animal rights within submitted articles, underscoring the necessity of obtaining explicit and documented consent from all participants mentioned in the articles. Articles lacking such ethical committee approval for participants and experimental investigation permits are subject to rejection.
Editors proactively implement measures to mitigate research misconduct. In cases of complaints regarding breaches of professional conduct, they engage in an impartial inquiry, sharing their objective findings on the matter.
Editors facilitate the rectification of errors, discrepancies, or any misleading elements identified in published articles.
Editors are committed to upholding the intellectual property rights of the articles they publish and safeguarding the rights of both the journal and its authors in cases of infringement. They also take precautionary measures to prevent the content of published articles from infringing upon the intellectual property rights of other publications, conducting thorough authenticity and similarity assessments.
Editors welcome and consider constructive critiques of articles published in the journal, affording authors the opportunity to respond to such feedback.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Articles submitted to the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty undergo a rigorous double-blind review process. In this process, the identities of both the authors and the reviewers remain concealed from each other. Direct communication between reviewers and authors is not permitted. Article evaluation forms and requests for revisions are conveyed to the authors through the journal's website. Reviewers are obliged to adhere to the following ethical responsibilities within the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty:
Reviewers are expected to exclusively accept assignments to evaluate articles that align with their specialized expertise and field of knowledge.
Reviewers are required to conduct their evaluations in an impartial and confidential manner, ensuring that considerations such as nationality, gender, religious beliefs, political affiliations, or commercial interests do not compromise the objectivity of their assessments.
In the event that reviewers become aware of any conflicts of interest or collaborative relationships, it is incumbent upon them to promptly notify the editors and decline the task of evaluating the respective article.
Reviewers are expected to approach their evaluations with a constructive disposition, adhering rigorously to academic ethical norms. They should refrain from making disparaging or adversarial personal remarks in their assessments.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Authors

Authors are bound by the following ethical obligations when submitting their work to the Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty:
Authors must refrain from submitting articles that have either already been published elsewhere or are concurrently under consideration by another journal.
Authors are required to submit original research articles to the Journal. Additionally, authors should meticulously reference the sources they utilize in their articles, adhering to ethical principles and proper citation practices.
Individuals who have not made substantive contributions to the content of articles should not be included as authors. Furthermore, any suggested alterations to the authorship order of a published article or the addition of authors should be avoided.
Reviewers have a responsibility to promptly inform the editors of any conflicts of interest or collaborative relationships relevant to the article under evaluation.
During the article evaluation process, authors are expected to furnish the editorial team with necessary information concerning the articles, including raw data and codes, as requested.
Authors are obligated to provide documented evidence of their rights to utilize the data incorporated into their articles, along with the requisite permissions for conducting research or the approval of the involved participants.
Authors should maintain open lines of communication with the editors, promptly providing information, making necessary corrections to the article, or initiating a withdrawal process when they become aware of errors during the evaluation and early publication phases or after the article has been published electronically.

Notification of Ethics Non-Principles Status Editor
In the event of encountering unethical situations within articles, or concerns related to the conduct of editors, reviewers, or authors, or instances where articles do not adhere to the ethical principles stipulated in the Journal, it is incumbent upon individuals to report such matters to iibfdergi@mehmetakif.edu.tr.

PUBLICATION POLICY

Articles submitted to the journal are expected to adhere to prescribed writing guidelines. For further details, please refer to the "WRITING RULES PAGE" on the journal's website.
The articles submitted to the journal must have never been published anywhere and should not have been submitted for publication at the present time.
The primary language of publication is English, and authors bear both scientific and linguistic responsibility for their work featured in the journal.
The journal welcomes submissions not only from academics but also from researchers and practitioners in the field.
Following the initial screening process, which includes content evaluation, plagiarism assessment, and competence verification, submitted articles are subsequently forwarded to a minimum of two expert reviewers. In cases where both review reports yield favorable assessments, the article proceeds to the Editorial Board for a final determination. However, if one of the reports issues a negative evaluation, a third reviewer will be engaged to adjudicate. If deemed necessary, the Editorial Board retains the authority to solicit additional reviewer opinions during the article review stage. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the Editorial Board.
An individual author or group of authors may not submit more than one article for consideration within a single calendar year.
Authors may be required to address revisions in line with feedback provided by the reviewers. It is the responsibility of the author(s) to implement all requested changes before the article can be published.
Authors are not entitled to receive any form of copyright payment for their contributions published in the journal.
Articles may be utilized in accordance with our Open Access Policy and Creative Commons license, with proper attribution to the source.
The viewpoints expressed in the articles and the associated responsibilities lie with the authors.
In instances where research articles receive support from institutions or have evolved from prior works, such information should be prominently indicated on the first page of the article file.

Article Processing Charges Policy

Articles undergo a preliminary review process upon submission to the journal. The preliminary review process is conducted by the editorial board of the journal. Articles that don’t have the necessary permissions (e.g., ethics committee approval), receive a negative plagiarism report, and are outside the scope of the journal will be returned to the author(s).
If the article passes the Editorial Board's preliminary evaluation, the author(s) will be required to deposit 3,000 TL / $120 to the Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Revolving Fund (MAKÜ Döner Sermaye) bank account to cover the costs of the journal. The peer review process will start only after the payment of the article processing fee. The payment should include the Article ID in the description.
The article processing fee is non-refundable in cases where the article is rejected/not published based on peer reviews or a decision by the Editorial Board. Refund requests based on different interpretations of reviewers’ or editors’ evaluations will not be considered.