At AUFSCHLUSS, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing. This page outlines our expectations for authors, reviewers, and editorial board members, as well as the procedures for addressing misconduct.
1. Ethical Standards
AUFSCHLUSS adheres to the following ethical principles in all aspects of publishing:
- Integrity: All published work must be original, accurate, and free from any form of academic misconduct.
- Transparency: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and funding sources related to their research.
- Respect for Intellectual Property: Proper attribution and citation of all sources must be ensured to uphold the integrity of the scholarly record.
- Fairness: All manuscripts will be evaluated based on their quality and relevance, without discrimination based on the author’s identity, affiliation, or background.
2. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are responsible for the following:
- Originality: Submissions must be original and not under consideration by any other publication.
- Attribution: Authors must ensure that all sources are appropriately cited and that they do not engage in plagiarism.
- Data Integrity: Authors must report accurate data and avoid fabrication or falsification of results.
- Co-authorship: All individuals who contributed significantly to the work should be listed as co-authors, and all co-authors must approve the final submission.
3. Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers play a crucial role in the publication process. Their responsibilities include:
- Confidentiality: Reviewers must keep all information regarding the manuscript confidential and refrain from discussing it with others.
- Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively, providing constructive feedback and avoiding personal bias.
- Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their evaluation of the manuscript.
4. Responsibilities of Editors
The editorial team at AUFSCHLUSS is responsible for:
- Impartial Decision-Making: Editors must ensure that all decisions regarding manuscript acceptance are made based on the quality and relevance of the research.
- Addressing Misconduct: Editors must investigate any reports of misconduct and take appropriate action when necessary.
- Maintaining Integrity: Editors must uphold the integrity of the publication process and the journal.
5. Handling Misconduct
In cases of suspected misconduct, AUFSCHLUSS follows a clear process:
- Reporting Misconduct: Anyone suspecting ethical violations should report their concerns to the editorial office, providing as much detail as possible.
- Investigation: The editorial team will conduct a thorough investigation of the allegations, which may involve consulting with external experts if necessary.
- Outcome: If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions will be taken, including potential retraction of published articles and bans on future submissions.
6. Retraction Policy
AUFSCHLUSS maintains a strict retraction policy:
- Articles may be retracted if they are found to contain significant errors, ethical violations (such as plagiarism), or fraudulent data.
- A retraction notice will be published, detailing the reasons for retraction and preserving the academic record.
7. Commitment to Continuous Improvement
AUFSCHLUSS is committed to continuous improvement in our publication ethics. We encourage feedback from our community to enhance our practices and ensure the integrity of scholarly communication.