Publication Ethics

At EDRAAK (Peninsula Publishing Press), we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism in academic publishing. This ethics policy serves as the foundation for fostering trust, accountability, and excellence within the scholarly community.

Our commitment to ethical publishing ensures that authors, reviewers, and editors adhere to well-established guidelines and principles. This policy outlines the fundamental responsibilities and expectations for all individuals involved in the publication process.

General Principles

EDRAAK fully adheres to the ethical standards set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). By submitting their manuscripts, authors acknowledge and commit to upholding these ethical principles, ensuring that their work complies with the journal’s guidelines and policies.

EDRAAK is dedicated to fostering academic integrity, transparency, and excellence, creating an environment that encourages scholarly collaboration and cultivates mutual trust within the academic community.

Affiliations

Authors submitting manuscripts to EDRAAK are required to provide a detailed account of their affiliations to ensure proper acknowledgment of all institutions or organizations associated with the research.

Maintaining accurate and transparent affiliation information is crucial for preserving the integrity of the academic record and ensuring proper recognition of all contributors.

Appeals and Complaints

EDRAAK adheres to the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for handling appeals and complaints. Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions by providing substantial evidence or new data that directly addresses the feedback received from reviewers and editors.

Complaints regarding the editorial process, including peer review and publication ethics, are treated with the utmost seriousness. Authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to raise their concerns with the editorial office. For appeals, please contact us at appeals@peninsula-press.ae.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments in EDRAAK should appropriately recognize individuals or organizations that contributed to the development of the manuscript but do not meet the criteria for authorship. This includes acknowledging support in areas such as funding, technical assistance, and editorial contributions.

All authors are encouraged to clearly specify any support received from colleagues, mentors, or institutions that facilitated the research.

Providing accurate acknowledgments enhances transparency and upholds the integrity of scholarly work.

Authorship

Authorship in EDRAAK represents a significant contribution to the conceptualization, execution, and preparation of research and the manuscript. It serves as a formal recognition of individual roles while ensuring accountability for the accuracy and quality of the work.

General Guidelines

To qualify as an author, individuals must meet all the following criteria:

Individuals who do not meet these criteria should not be listed as authors but may be appropriately recognized in the acknowledgments section.

Authorship Order

The order of authorship should accurately represent each contributor's relative contribution to the research. Any disputes regarding authorship order must be resolved among the authors before submission.

For any authorship-related concerns, please contact contact@peninsula-press.ae.

Changes to Authorship

For changes to the authorship list after submission, including the addition or removal of authors, the following requirements must be met:

The journal reserves the right to reject changes that lack valid justification or proper author consent. Significant alterations to authorship after acceptance may be declined unless compelling evidence of contributions is provided. For further inquiries, please contact contact@peninsula-press.ae.

Responsibilities of the Corresponding Author

The corresponding author plays a crucial role throughout the submission, review, and publication processes, with the following key responsibilities:

Additionally, the corresponding author is responsible for addressing any authorship-related disputes that may arise during the review process.

Citations

Proper citation practices are essential for maintaining academic integrity and credibility in scholarly publishing. EDRAAK requires authors to provide accurate and appropriate references for all sources cited in their manuscripts, ensuring transparency and proper acknowledgment of previous research.

General Citation Guidelines

All claims, data, and arguments presented in a manuscript must be supported by credible, relevant, and up-to-date sources. Authors are encouraged to reference peer-reviewed literature and refrain from citing unreliable or unverifiable materials.

Non-Research Articles

For non-research articles, such as reviews or opinion pieces, authors must provide citations that present a comprehensive and unbiased overview of the topic. Selective citation practices that distort the scope or depth of the field should be avoided to ensure academic integrity and accuracy.

Citation Manipulation

EDRAAK strictly prohibits citation manipulation, which involves adding references solely to inflate citation metrics or benefit specific individuals, institutions, or journals without valid academic justification.

Examples of Citation Manipulation:

Manuscripts found to engage in citation manipulation will be subject to investigation and may result in rejection, retraction, or other corrective actions. For concerns related to citation ethics, please contact dispute@peninsula-press.ae.

Uncertain Sources

If authors are uncertain about the validity or relevance of a source, they are encouraged to consult EDRAAK's editorial office before including it in their manuscript. This ensures that all references meaningfully contribute to the research and comply with ethical citation standards.

Conflicts of Interest

EDRAAK is committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing. To uphold the integrity of the publication process, all authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their work or decisions.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Disclosure by Authors

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation. Examples include:

Authors are required to complete the Conflict of Interest Form for Authors and Reviewers and submit it during the manuscript submission process.

Disclosure by Reviewers

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might affect their ability to provide an impartial and objective review. Common examples include:

If a conflict is identified, reviewers are encouraged to decline the review assignment and notify the editorial office. When applicable, reviewers should complete the Conflict of Interest Form for Authors and Reviewers.

Disclosure by Editors

Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their editorial decisions, including:

In situations where bias may arise, editors are expected to delegate the decision-making process to another qualified member of the editorial board. Editors should submit the Conflict of Interest Form for Editorial Board Members.

Related Forms

By enforcing these policies, EDRAAK aims to uphold the objectivity, credibility, and ethical standards of its publication process.

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Actions

EDRAAK is committed to upholding the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal follows established guidelines to address significant errors, concerns, and cases of research misconduct through corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, and, in rare cases, removals.

Corrections

A correction notice is issued when errors or omissions in a published article may affect its interpretation but do not compromise the overall scholarly integrity of the work. Examples include:

Types of Correction Notices:

Retractions

A retraction notice is issued when an article contains significant issues that invalidate its findings, such as major methodological flaws, data inaccuracies, or instances of research misconduct. Retractions are warranted in cases involving:

Retractions are handled following the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Requests for retractions may be initiated by authors, editors, or affiliated institutions.

Retraction Procedures:

Retractions are implemented to correct the scholarly record and uphold research integrity, not as a punitive measure against authors.

Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern is issued when significant doubts arise regarding the reliability of an article, but conclusive evidence is not yet available, or an investigation is ongoing. Examples include:

Following an investigation, an expression of concern may lead to a correction, retraction, or no further action. Both the expression of concern and any subsequent notices will remain part of the article’s permanent record.

Removals

In rare and exceptional cases, an article may be removed if its content is:

When an article is removed, a removal notice will be published in its place, clearly explaining the reason for removal while ensuring privacy and legal considerations for all involved parties.

EDRAAK is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, ensuring that all corrections, retractions, and editorial actions are conducted with transparency and fairness.

Consent for Publication

In EDRAAK, obtaining written informed consent is mandatory when personal information, images, or any other identifying material related to individuals are included in a manuscript. This policy ensures adherence to ethical standards while respecting individuals' privacy and rights.

Requirements for Consent

Authors must secure explicit written consent from individuals or their legal guardians before incorporating identifiable information in their work. The consent must permit publication under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, ensuring open and unrestricted online accessibility.

Consent Documentation

Authors should use a standard consent form, either provided by their institution or developed independently, to obtain consent. The form must clearly state that the information or images will be publicly accessible on the internet and should include:

Authors are responsible for retaining signed consent forms and must be prepared to submit them to the editorial office upon request. All consent forms will be treated confidentially and will not be publicly disclosed.

Responsibility for Consent

The responsibility for obtaining, managing, and securely storing consent forms lies solely with the authors.

This policy reinforces EDRAAK’s commitment to ethical publishing practices, safeguarding the privacy and rights of individuals featured in scholarly publications.

Confidentiality

EDRAAK is committed to maintaining strict confidentiality protocols to protect the integrity and privacy of the publication process. The following guidelines outline the journal’s approach to safeguarding confidential information.

Manuscript Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to EDRAAK are treated as confidential documents. Access is strictly limited to individuals directly involved in the editorial and peer-review process, including:

The content of submitted manuscripts must not be shared, discussed, or disclosed to unauthorized individuals without the explicit consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

Reviewer Obligations

Reviewers play a critical role in preserving the confidentiality of the peer-review process. They are required to:

Breaches of confidentiality by reviewers will be thoroughly investigated. Confirmed violations may result in disqualification from future review assignments and potential reporting to relevant institutions.

Ethical Misconduct Investigations

In cases of suspected ethical misconduct, manuscript content may be disclosed to relevant institutions, organizations, or ethics committees to support formal investigations. Such disclosures will follow the best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

EDRAAK is dedicated to protecting the confidentiality of all parties involved in these investigations, ensuring that the process remains fair, unbiased, and respectful of privacy.

This policy reinforces EDRAAK’s commitment to ethical publishing practices and the responsible handling of sensitive information throughout the editorial and review process. For any confidentiality-related concerns, please contact admin@peninsula-press.ae.

Copyright Policy Author Rights

Authors retain full copyright to their work published in EDRAAK, maintaining ownership and control over their intellectual property. Authors also have the freedom to use their work for scholarly, educational, and non-commercial purposes without restriction.

Publishing Rights

Upon acceptance, EDRAAK receives non-exclusive rights to publish, reproduce, and distribute the work in various formats. This arrangement ensures the widest possible dissemination of the research while preserving the author’s copyright and ownership.

Open Access Policy

EDRAAK follows an open-access model, providing free and unrestricted access to all published articles. Users are permitted to:

All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY 4.0), allowing both commercial and non-commercial use, provided proper credit is given to the original authors and source.

User Rights

The CC BY 4.0 License grants users the following rights:

This open-access framework ensures that authors’ research contributions achieve maximum reach and impact within the academic community and beyond.

Eligibility for Submission

Authors are eligible to submit their work to EDRAAK if they:

Submissions incorporating third-party materials must include documentation confirming permission for use, ensuring compliance with copyright laws and ethical publishing practices.

EDRAAK’s copyright and open-access policies are designed to promote transparency, accessibility, and academic freedom, while safeguarding the rights of authors and supporting the global exchange of knowledge.

Data Falsification/Fabrication

Data falsification and fabrication are severe breaches of ethical research conduct. These unethical practices involve the intentional manipulation, alteration, or invention of data or research findings to mislead readers, reviewers, and the academic community. Such misconduct compromises the credibility, reliability, and integrity of scholarly research, leading to long-term damage to the academic record.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to EDRAAK must ensure that all data presented in their work accurately reflect the research conducted. This includes:

Zero-Tolerance Policy

EDRAAK enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding data falsification and fabrication. Any detected misconduct will result in the following actions:

Data Retention and Availability

To maintain transparency and uphold research integrity, authors must adhere to the following data retention guidelines:

Failure to comply with data retention or availability requests may result in manuscript rejection or the withdrawal of a previously published article.

Commitment to Research Integrity

EDRAAK is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Allegations of data falsification or fabrication will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures will be taken following the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

By implementing this policy, EDRAAK aims to safeguard the integrity of scientific research, protect the scholarly record, and uphold the trust of the academic community.

Desk Rejection Policy

EDRAAK implements a desk rejection policy to maintain the quality, relevance, and academic integrity of submitted manuscripts. A submission may be rejected without undergoing peer review if it fails to meet the journal’s fundamental criteria for consideration.

Reasons for Desk Rejection

Purpose of the Policy

This policy ensures that only manuscripts meeting EDRAAK's quality standards proceed to peer review, maintaining the journal’s academic rigor and efficiency.

Recommendations for Authors

To improve the chances of acceptance:

By following these guidelines, authors can significantly enhance their submissions and reduce the likelihood of desk rejection.

Duplicate Submission/Publication

EDRAAK upholds strict ethical standards regarding duplicate submissions and publications. Authors must confirm, during the submission process, that their manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Failure to disclose such information constitutes a serious breach of ethical conduct and may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

Instances of Duplicate Submission and Publication

Duplicate submission and publication occur when the same or substantially similar content is submitted to multiple journals without proper disclosure. This includes:

Guidelines for Secondary Publications

Following the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines, authors intending to submit a secondary publication (e.g., a translated version or republished work) must adhere to the following requirements:

This ensures proper recognition of the original research while maintaining the integrity of the academic record.

Consequences of Violations

Failure to comply with EDRAAK’s duplicate submission and publication policy may result in:

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

EDRAAK is dedicated to promoting ethical research practices. Authors are encouraged to consult the editorial office if they have any concerns regarding duplicate submissions or secondary publications. Transparency and integrity are essential for maintaining the credibility of scholarly communication.

Funding

EDRAAK prioritizes transparency in financial support for research. Authors are required to disclose all sources of funding, including grants, sponsorships, or any other forms of financial assistance related to their research and the publication process.

Funding Disclosure Guidelines

To ensure compliance, authors must complete the Financial Disclosure Form and submit it along with their manuscript.

Transparent funding declarations enhance research integrity and credibility by providing readers with a clear understanding of potential influences on the study.

Images and Figures

When including images, videos, or audio recordings in manuscripts submitted to EDRAAK, authors must adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure responsible and transparent use of multimedia content.

Consent for Identifiable Content

Authors must secure explicit written consent before including any identifiable information related to individuals, such as photographs, medical data, or personal details.

Authors must confirm within their manuscript that all necessary consents have been obtained and are responsible for securely storing consent documentation in case verification is required.

Ethical Guidelines for Experimental Photographs

Photographic images, especially those obtained through microscopy or imaging techniques, must accurately represent the original data. Any modifications should be clearly disclosed in the manuscript. Authors must:

Reuse of Published Images

Authors intending to reuse images or figures from previously published materials must obtain permission from the copyright holders. The following guidelines apply:

By adhering to these policies, EDRAAK ensures ethical publishing standards while maintaining scientific transparency and credibility. For further inquiries, please contact contact@peninsula-press.ae.

Misconduct

EDRAAK upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and is committed to addressing all forms of research misconduct. The journal strictly follows the ethical principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ensuring that all reports of misconduct are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Examples of Research Misconduct

Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

EDRAAK reserves the right to take appropriate actions in cases of confirmed misconduct, including retracting published articles, issuing corrections, or reporting the incident to relevant institutions or funding bodies.

Addressing Misconduct

When allegations of misconduct arise, EDRAAK follows a structured process aligned with COPE guidelines to ensure a fair and transparent investigation:

This process is designed to uphold transparency, accountability, and fairness for all parties involved.

Consequences of Misconduct

Depending on the severity of the misconduct, EDRAAK may implement the following measures:

These actions aim to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record and reinforce ethical publishing standards.

For any concerns regarding research misconduct, please contact dispute@peninsula-press.ae.

Publication Ethics

EDRAAK is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Our policies align with the principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure a fair, transparent, and responsible publication process.

Duties of Editors

Duties of Reviewers

Duties of Authors

Peer Review Process

EDRAAK follows a rigorous peer review process to ensure the integrity and quality of published research. This process is based on ethical principles that promote fairness, transparency, and scholarly excellence.

Initial Assessment

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial evaluation by the editorial team to assess their relevance to the journal’s scope, originality, and compliance with submission guidelines. Manuscripts that fail to meet these criteria are subject to desk rejection and do not proceed to peer review.

Single-Blind Peer Review

EDRAAK employs a single-blind peer review process, where the reviewers remain anonymous, but the authors' identities are disclosed. This approach ensures impartiality and allows reviewers to provide unbiased, objective feedback.

Each manuscript is typically evaluated by at least two experts in the relevant field. Reviewers assess:

Reviewers are expected to provide constructive comments and recommendations to help authors improve their manuscripts.

Editorial Decision

Based on the reviewers' feedback, the editor makes one of the following decisions:

The editorial team communicates the decision, along with detailed reviewer comments, to the corresponding author, ensuring transparency throughout the review process.

Appeals Process

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe their manuscript was unfairly evaluated. To initiate an appeal, authors must:

Appeals are reviewed by either the editorial board or additional subject matter experts, depending on the nature of the appeal.

For appeals, please contact appeals@peninsula-press.ae.

Plagiarism Policy

EDRAAK upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism in all its forms. Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use of another individual’s work, ideas, or language without proper acknowledgment. This policy also applies to self-plagiarism and redundant publication, as such practices compromise the integrity of scholarly research.

Plagiarism Detection

All manuscripts submitted to EDRAAK undergo comprehensive plagiarism checks using advanced detection tools, such as Turnitin. Submissions found to have significant overlap with existing literature or previously published work will be rejected immediately.

Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality of their work before submission. Proper citation and referencing are essential to avoid both intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

Types of Plagiarism

Consequences of Plagiarism

Manuscripts identified as containing plagiarism—whether detected before or after publication—will face serious consequences, including:

Commitment to Ethical Standards

EDRAAK follows the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when addressing plagiarism cases, ensuring a fair, transparent, and consistent process for handling misconduct.

Preprint Policy

EDRAAK supports the open dissemination of research findings through preprint repositories. Authors are permitted to upload their manuscripts to recognized preprint platforms, such as arXiv or RePEc, at any stage prior to formal submission to the journal.

Linking Preprints to Published Articles

Once a manuscript has been accepted and published by EDRAAK, authors are encouraged to:

Transparency and Integrity

By permitting preprints, EDRAAK encourages the early dissemination of research while safeguarding the integrity of the formal publication process. Authors must ensure that:

This policy offers authors the flexibility to share their work openly, promoting the rapid exchange of knowledge while preserving the credibility and trustworthiness of research throughout the peer review and publication processes.

Patient Identifying Information

EDRAAK places a high priority on protecting patient privacy and maintaining strict confidentiality. Identifiable information—including textual descriptions, images, videos, sonograms, or pedigrees—should only be included in a manuscript if it is scientifically essential and written informed consent has been obtained.

Consent Requirements

Anonymity and Ethical Compliance

Consequences of Non-Compliance

EDRAAK is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing to ensure the privacy, dignity, and rights of all individuals involved in research.

Research Ethics and Consent

EDRAAK is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all published research. This includes ensuring that studies involving human participants, animals, or plants receive appropriate ethical approvals and comply with internationally recognized ethical guidelines.

Research Involving Humans

All research involving human participants must adhere to ethical principles, such as those outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors must obtain approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or an equivalent ethics committee before commencing the study.

Manuscripts must include:

Research Involving Animals

Studies involving animals must adhere to relevant ethical guidelines, such as those established by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Authors must obtain ethical approval from a recognized animal ethics committee before conducting the study.

Manuscripts should include:

Research Involving Plants

Research involving plants must comply with institutional, national, and international regulations. Authors must confirm adherence to ethical principles outlined in:

Manuscripts should include:

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with ethical guidelines or provide sufficient documentation of ethical approval may result in the rejection of the manuscript.

EDRAAK is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, ensuring that all published work reflects responsible and ethical scientific practices.

Special Issues

EDRAAK periodically organizes special issues to explore emerging topics and specialized themes within its field. These issues foster innovative research, academic collaboration, and the dissemination of cutting-edge knowledge.

Appointment of Guest Editors

Guest editors for special issues are selected based on their subject matter expertise, academic reputation, and prior editorial experience. Nominations may be made by:

All nominations are carefully reviewed and approved by the Editor-in-Chief to ensure high scholarly standards and editorial integrity.

Guest editors are responsible for:

Setup of Special Issues

To initiate a special issue, a comprehensive proposal must be submitted to the editorial board, including:

Upon approval by the editorial board and Editor-in-Chief, the call for papers is distributed through academic and professional channels to attract a diverse range of submissions. The editorial team collaborates with guest editors to ensure that the special issue aligns with the journal’s publication schedule and meets the highest quality standards.

Commitment to Quality

Special issues serve as a dynamic platform for:

EDRAAK is committed to supporting special issues while maintaining rigorous editorial and ethical standards.

Standards of Reporting

EDRAAK emphasizes clear, detailed, and transparent reporting to ensure the reproducibility and verification of published research. Authors are required to adhere to rigorous reporting standards to support robust academic discourse and enhance the credibility of their work.

Rationale

Authors must provide a comprehensive explanation of the purpose and significance of their study. This includes:

Research Protocol

The methodology must be described in sufficient detail to allow replication by other researchers. Authors should outline:

Tools and Techniques

Authors must provide detailed descriptions of:

Data Analysis

The processes involved in data collection, processing, and analysis must be thoroughly documented. Authors should:

Results and Interpretation

Research findings must be presented accurately, reflecting the data without distortion or overgeneralization. Authors must:

Commitment to Research Integrity

Adhering to these reporting standards ensures that research published in EDRAAK:

Use of Third-Party Material

Authors planning to include third-party material in their submissions to EDRAAK must fully comply with applicable copyright and licensing regulations. Third-party material encompasses any content not originally created by the authors, including text, images, tables, datasets, audio clips, video footage, and other intellectual property.

Permissions

Authors are responsible for securing explicit written permission from the copyright holder for any third-party material included in their manuscript, unless the material qualifies under fair use provisions or belongs to the public domain. This requirement applies to both published and unpublished content.

Fair Use

Certain materials may be used under fair use provisions, particularly when short excerpts are incorporated for critique, commentary, or educational analysis. Even when fair use applies, proper attribution must be provided to acknowledge the original source.

Attribution

All third-party materials, including those available under open licenses such as Creative Commons, must be appropriately cited and credited to their original source. Authors must ensure compliance with specific license terms, particularly regarding modifications, commercial use, and sharing permissions.

Documentation of Permissions

Authors must maintain clear documentation of any permissions obtained for the use of third-party material and retain copies for their records. Upon request, these permissions may be required by the journal’s editorial office as part of the publication process.

Compliance with Intellectual Property Laws

Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance with intellectual property regulations, promotes ethical publishing practices, and safeguards both authors and the journal from potential legal concerns related to copyright infringement. EDRAAK remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and responsible scholarship.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Writing

This section defines the policy governing the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the manuscript writing process. It does not extend to the application of such tools for data analysis or deriving research insights during the research process.

Purpose

Authors may employ AI tools to improve the readability and language quality of their manuscripts. However, these tools must not replace fundamental authorial responsibilities, such as generating scientific insights, drawing conclusions, or making clinical recommendations.

Supervision

The use of AI technologies in manuscript preparation must always be under human supervision. Authors are responsible for thoroughly reviewing, editing, and verifying the accuracy and integrity of any AI-generated content before submission.

Accountability

Regardless of AI involvement, authors retain full accountability for their manuscript's content. This includes ensuring that the work meets EDRAAK’s standards for:

Disclosure and Transparency

Authors must disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies when submitting their manuscripts. This disclosure will be included in the published article to promote transparency and maintain trust among readers, reviewers, and editors. Additionally, this requirement ensures compliance with the terms of use of the AI tools utilized.

Authorship Responsibilities

Generative AI and AI-assisted tools cannot be credited as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by human contributors, including:

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

Authors must ensure that their manuscript meets all criteria for originality, accuracy, and intellectual contribution, regardless of AI assistance in the writing process. This policy reinforces EDRAAK’s commitment to ethical publishing practices and the integrity of scholarly research.

Use of AI in Peer Review

EDRAAK acknowledges the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic publishing. However, the peer review process relies fundamentally on critical human judgment, which AI cannot replicate. The following guidelines outline the appropriate use of AI in peer review to maintain integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards in scholarly evaluation.

Human Responsibility

Peer review requires critical thinking, nuanced assessment, and informed decision-making, all of which are inherently human capabilities. AI tools must not replace human reviewers or editors in evaluating manuscripts. The responsibility for assessing quality, rigor, and significance remains solely with qualified human reviewers and editorial board members.

Confidentiality

Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts is a fundamental principle of peer review. Reviewers and editors must not upload any portion of a manuscript—including text, data, figures, or supplementary materials—into AI tools. Such actions could:

Peer Review Reports

The confidentiality obligation extends beyond the manuscript to include:

These documents must not be processed through AI tools for any purpose, including language enhancement or readability improvements. Human reviewers and editors bear full responsibility for the originality, integrity, and confidentiality of their reports.

AI in Decision-Making

AI tools must not be used to assess manuscript quality, validity, or impact. The evaluation of scientific content requires human expertise, critical judgment, and ethical considerations, which cannot be delegated to AI systems. The authority to accept, revise, or reject manuscripts remains exclusively with human reviewers and editors.

Ethical Use of AI

EDRAAK supports the ethical application of AI in specific editorial functions that do not compromise peer review integrity. Acceptable uses include:

These applications must adhere to strict ethical guidelines, ensuring that confidentiality, data protection, and academic integrity are preserved.

By enforcing these guidelines, EDRAAK upholds the highest standards of peer review, fostering a trustworthy, transparent, and ethically responsible publishing environment.

Acknowledgment of Ethical Standards

EDRAAK is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. All participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, and editors—are expected to comply with established ethical principles outlined by globally recognized organizations, including:

Responsibilities of Authors

By submitting a manuscript, authors affirm their adherence to these ethical guidelines, ensuring:

Responsibilities of Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors play a vital role in maintaining ethical standards within EDRAAK.

Handling Ethical Misconduct

In cases of suspected ethical misconduct, EDRAAK follows a rigorous investigation process in accordance with COPE guidelines. This may involve:

Commitment to Integrity and Excellence

Through this collective commitment to ethical publishing, EDRAAK fosters trust, accountability, and academic excellence, reinforcing its dedication to scholarly integrity.

Closing Statements

EDRAAK is committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency, and ethical standards of the publishing process. By adhering to globally recognized ethical guidelines, the journal fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and academic excellence within the scholarly community.

We encourage all contributors—including authors, reviewers, and editors—to actively engage in upholding ethical standards. By embracing principles of fairness, honesty, and academic rigor, the scholarly community can responsibly advance knowledge while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

These ethics policies serve as a strong foundation for promoting excellence in academic publishing while ensuring that the rights and responsibilities of all individuals in the publication process are safeguarded. EDRAAK’s commitment to these principles preserves the integrity of the scholarly record, contributing to the growth and credibility of the global academic community.