Beynəlxalq məsləhətçilər

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

1. Ethical Standards for Authors

Criteria for Authorship
Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the research, including:

  • Conception and design of the study or analysis and interpretation of data.
  • Drafting or revising the article for important intellectual content.
  • Approval of the final version of the manuscript to be published. All authors should meet these criteria, and all those who meet these criteria should be listed as authors. The corresponding author must ensure that no one who has contributed is omitted and that all contributors have reviewed the final manuscript.

Example: Authors must provide a detailed description of each individual's contributions at the time of submission. For instance, author A contributed to data collection, author B performed the analysis, and author C wrote the manuscript.

Plagiarism Policies
The journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism. Authors are required to ensure that their work is entirely original, and if they have used the work and/or words of others, this must be appropriately cited or quoted. The journal uses plagiarism detection software, and manuscripts found to have substantial plagiarism will be rejected.

Example: If an author submits an article that includes text copied from another source without citation, the submission will be immediately rejected, and the authors may be banned from future submissions.

Originality and Duplication of Research
Authors must ensure that their manuscript is an original work that has not been previously published elsewhere. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is considered unethical and unacceptable. If overlapping content is found between submitted articles and published papers, it will lead to rejection.

Example: If an author submits a study that overlaps significantly with previously published work, they must cite that work, clarify how the new manuscript differs, and justify the need for the new submission.

Data Falsification or Manipulation
Authors are prohibited from fabricating or manipulating data. Any manipulation that could mislead readers or distort the scientific record is unethical. All research data should be accurately reported, and authors must be prepared to provide raw data upon request for verification purposes.

Example: If it is discovered that an author manipulated figures or statistical data to enhance their results, this would result in a retraction of the paper and possible sanctions against the authors.

2. Ethical Standards for Editors

Editor’s Responsibility for Decision-Making
Editors are responsible for deciding which articles submitted to the journal will be published. Their decision should be guided by the quality of the manuscript, its contribution to the field, and the relevance to the journal’s scope. Editors must remain impartial and should not make decisions based on personal bias, relationships, or conflicts of interest.

Example: An editor who has a close personal or professional relationship with an author should recuse themselves from handling the manuscript to avoid bias.

Fair and Unbiased Review Process
Editors must ensure that the review process is fair and unbiased. Manuscripts should be reviewed based on their academic merit without regard to the race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors. Reviewers should be chosen based on their expertise and ability to provide objective feedback.

Example: If an editor discovers that a reviewer has a potential conflict of interest with the author, they should replace the reviewer to maintain the integrity of the review process.

Confidentiality Regarding Manuscripts
Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher. Confidentiality should be maintained during the entire review process, and unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript should not be used by anyone involved in the review process without the author’s explicit written consent.

3. Ethical Standards for Reviewers

Objectivity and Fairness in Peer Review
Reviewers must conduct their evaluations objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate, and reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback, pointing out strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring a rigorous and unbiased review process.

Example: A reviewer should avoid derogatory remarks about the author and instead focus on the scientific content and clarity of the manuscript.

Confidentiality Regarding Unpublished Data
Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers should not share the manuscript with others, and the contents of the paper should not be discussed with anyone except with the permission of the editor. Reviewers must not use any unpublished information for personal research or advantage.

Example: If a reviewer uses ideas or data from a manuscript they are reviewing in their own research, this would constitute a serious breach of confidentiality and professional ethics.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence their evaluation of the manuscript. If a reviewer has a personal or professional relationship with the authors or if there is a potential financial conflict, they should inform the editor and recuse themselves from reviewing the manuscript.

4. Handling Complaints and Misconduct

Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct
The journal will investigate all allegations of research or publication misconduct. This includes but is not limited to plagiarism, data falsification, and ethical violations. Complaints can be made by readers, reviewers, or editors, and all complaints will be handled according to COPE guidelines. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the manuscript may be rejected, or a published article may be retracted.

Example: If a reader informs the journal of potential plagiarism in a published article, the editorial board will review the case and take appropriate action, which may involve retraction.

Process for Handling Retractions, Corrections, or Clarifications
If errors are found in a published article that significantly affect its findings or interpretations, the journal will issue a correction. In cases of major errors or ethical violations, the article will be retracted. Retractions will be clearly labeled and linked to the original article to ensure transparency. The journal will follow COPE guidelines for handling such issues.

Example: If a study is later found to have errors in data interpretation that significantly affect its conclusions, a correction or retraction notice will be issued.

5. Publication Decisions

Criteria Used for Accepting or Rejecting Papers
The final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript is based on its academic merit, relevance to the journal’s scope, originality, and contribution to the field. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s ethical standards or scientific rigor will be rejected. Manuscripts with significant errors, lack of clarity, or that do not adhere to submission guidelines may be returned for revision or rejected.

Example: An article that presents novel findings but lacks sufficient data analysis may be returned for major revisions rather than being immediately rejected.

The Process of Peer Review and Decision-Making Transparency
The journal employs a rigorous, double-blind peer-review process where both the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous to ensure objectivity. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, and the editors make the final decision based on the reviewers’ reports. Authors will be provided with constructive feedback and reasons for the editorial decision.

Example: After peer review, an author receives two reports from reviewers with specific suggestions for improving the manuscript. The editor summarizes these points and provides a decision of either revision or rejection based on this feedback.

 
 
 

Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the research and publication process. To this end, all participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—are required to disclose any conflicts of interest or competing interests that could influence the outcome of the publication process.

1. Definition of Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when an individual’s professional judgment regarding a primary interest (such as research integrity) could be influenced by a secondary interest (such as financial gain, personal relationships, or academic competition).

2. Authors

  • Disclosure Requirement: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission. This includes financial relationships, personal relationships, or affiliations that may influence or appear to influence the work.
  • Acknowledgment: If there are no conflicts of interest, authors should include a statement declaring, "The authors declare no conflicts of interest."
  • Funding Transparency: Authors must disclose all sources of funding for their research and any role the funders played in the research design, execution, or publication.

3. Reviewers

  • Reviewers must inform the editorial office if they have any conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to provide an unbiased review. Examples include personal relationships with the authors, competing research in the same area, or financial ties to the research topic.
  • If a conflict is identified, the reviewer will be recused from the review process for the relevant manuscript.

4. Editors

  • Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest, such as collaborations with the authors, financial interests in the work, or other relationships that could influence editorial decisions.
  • The journal will ensure that such manuscripts are reassigned to another editor with no conflicts of interest.

5. Publication Transparency

  • Any disclosed conflicts of interest will be published alongside the article. This ensures transparency and allows readers to evaluate the potential impact of any conflicts on the research findings.

6. Undisclosed Conflicts

If undisclosed conflicts of interest are identified after publication, the journal will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include publishing a correction, retraction, or expression of concern.

By adhering to these policies, Metafizika journal ensures the highest standards of ethical publishing and fosters trust within the academic community.

 

Peer Review

1 Double-Blind Peer Review Process

Double-Anonymized Peer Review Guidelines

Metafizika journal employs a double-anonymized peer review process to ensure that the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review. Authors are required to prepare their submissions in a manner that does not reveal their identities, either directly or indirectly, to the reviewers.

To facilitate this process, please ensure that the following elements are included in your submission and provided as separate files:

1. Title Page

The title page will remain separate from the manuscript during the peer review process and will not be shared with reviewers. It should include:

  • The manuscript title
  • Names and affiliations of all authors
  • Complete contact details of the corresponding author, including an email address
  • Acknowledgments (if any)
  • A conflict of interest statement

2. Anonymized Manuscript

The main manuscript file should not contain any information that could identify the authors. To ensure anonymity:

  • Remove all author names and affiliations from the manuscript text.
  • Use the third person when citing previous work by the authors (e.g., "Black and Hart (2015) demonstrated..." instead of "We previously demonstrated (Black & Hart, 2015)").
  • Ensure that figures and tables do not reference author affiliations.
  • Exclude acknowledgments and references to funding sources from the manuscript. These should instead be detailed on the title page.
  • Use non-identifiable file names, and ensure that the file properties are anonymized. For Microsoft Office 2007 and later, consider using the "Document Inspector Tool" to check for hidden identifying metadata.

Additional Precautions

Ensure that no identifying information is included in any files that will be shared with reviewers. This includes all files except the title page, cover letter, and LaTeX source files, which are not typically sent to reviewers.

By adhering to these guidelines, you help maintain the integrity of the double-anonymized peer review process, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation of your work.

1.1. Anonymity in the Review Process:

  • Metafizika uses a double-blind peer-review system to eliminate potential biases. In this process:
    • Authors remain anonymous to reviewers to prevent judgments influenced by the author’s identity, affiliations, or reputation.
    • Reviewers are similarly anonymized to ensure impartial critique, allowing reviewers to provide honest and objective feedback without concern about external pressures or repercussions.

1.2. Submission and Initial Assessment:

  • Once a manuscript is submitted, the editorial team conducts a preliminary check to ensure that the paper adheres to the journal’s focus, formatting requirements, and ethical standards.
  • Manuscripts that do not meet the basic criteria are returned to the authors with feedback or rejected outright.

1.3. Reviewer Selection:

  • Reviewers are carefully chosen based on their expertise in the relevant area of metaphysics or closely related fields.
  • The editorial board ensures diversity in the reviewer pool, selecting individuals from various institutions and geographical regions to maintain fairness and reduce potential biases.

1.4. Evaluation Criteria:

  • Manuscripts are evaluated for several key factors, including:
    • Originality: The novelty of the research question or perspective.
    • Relevance: The alignment of the topic with the core themes of metaphysics and interdisciplinary connections.
    • Methodology: Rigor and clarity in research methods and analysis.
    • Contribution: The potential impact on scholarly discourse in metaphysics or related disciplines.
  • Reviewers provide detailed comments on the paper’s strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for improvement.

1.5. Feedback to Authors:

  • Authors receive anonymized reviewer comments along with the editorial decision, which can fall under the following categories:
    • Accept without revisions
    • Minor revisions required
    • Major revisions required
    • Reject (with constructive feedback for future resubmission, where applicable)

1.6. Resubmission and Second Review:

  • If revisions are required, authors resubmit their updated manuscript along with a detailed response to the reviewers’ comments.
  • The revised submission may be sent back to the original reviewers for a second round of review or evaluated by the editorial team, depending on the extent of the changes.

1.7. Final Decision and Publication:

  • Once the manuscript meets all quality standards, the editorial board issues the final acceptance decision. The paper is then prepared for publication in the next available issue.

2. Transparency and Guidelines

  • Metafizika ensures that all details of the peer-review process are available on its website. The guidelines include:
    • Expectations from authors during submission, such as formatting and ethical declarations.
    • Reviewer responsibilities, such as providing timely and constructive feedback, maintaining confidentiality, and adhering to ethical standards.
    • Conflict of interest policies to ensure reviewers or editors with personal stakes in the paper refrain from involvement.

2.1 Educational Resources for Reviewers and Authors:

  • The journal provides resources on best practices in academic publishing, ensuring that contributors and reviewers are well-informed about ethical and methodological standards.

 

Data Sharing and Reproducibility Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to promoting transparency, reproducibility, and the highest standards of research integrity. To support these principles, authors are encouraged to share the data underlying their research and ensure that their methods and results are reproducible by others in the field.

1. Data Availability Statement

Authors are required to include a Data Availability Statement within their manuscript. This statement should specify whether the data supporting the findings of the study are:

  • Publicly available (with a link to the repository or dataset).
  • Available upon reasonable request.
  • Not available due to ethical, legal, or privacy restrictions.

2. Data Sharing Requirements

  • Publicly Accessible Data: Authors are encouraged to deposit their data in recognized public repositories relevant to their field. Examples include Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, or subject-specific repositories.
  • Repository Citation: Data shared in repositories should be cited in the reference list with a DOI or a persistent identifier.
  • Supplementary Files: If the data cannot be hosted in a repository, authors may provide it as supplementary material submitted alongside their manuscript.

3. Reproducibility of Methods

  • Methodological Transparency: Authors must describe their methods in sufficient detail to allow replication by other researchers. This includes details of experimental design, data collection, and statistical analyses.
  • Code Sharing: If custom code or software is used in the research, authors are encouraged to share the source code in an accessible repository or as supplementary material, with clear instructions for use.

4. Exceptions

  • Ethical and Privacy Considerations: Data involving sensitive personal information or subject to confidentiality agreements may be exempt from public sharing. Authors should provide a justification for such restrictions in their Data Availability Statement.
  • Proprietary Restrictions: In cases where data cannot be shared due to proprietary rights, authors must clearly outline the reasons and describe how interested researchers can request access.

5. Post-Publication Availability

Authors are expected to maintain the availability of their shared data for a reasonable period after publication to enable verification and further research.

6. Editorial Review of Data

During the review process, reviewers and editors may request access to the data to assess the validity and reliability of the research. Authors must be prepared to provide data and materials upon request.

7. Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with data sharing and reproducibility policies without adequate justification may result in rejection during the review process or post-publication corrective actions, such as issuing an editorial note or retraction.

By adhering to this policy, Metafizika journal seeks to advance scientific progress and foster a culture of openness, accountability, and reproducibility in research.

 

Ethical Oversight Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of the publication process. This policy outlines the journal’s commitment to ethical oversight to ensure that all research published adheres to principles of integrity, transparency, and respect for ethical guidelines.

1. Ethical Conduct of Research

  • Human and Animal Studies: Research involving human participants or animals must comply with relevant ethical guidelines, such as the Declaration of Helsinki for medical research or institutional guidelines for animal care and use. Authors must provide documentation of ethics committee approval or institutional review board (IRB) approval, where applicable.
  • Informed Consent: For studies involving human participants, authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained and that participants' privacy was protected.

2. Plagiarism and Misconduct

  • The journal employs plagiarism detection tools to ensure the originality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Any cases of suspected research misconduct, such as data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, will be investigated in line with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
  • Proven cases of misconduct may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, or other corrective actions.

3. Conflicts of Interest

All stakeholders in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—must disclose any conflicts of interest. See the Metafizika journal’s Conflicts of Interest Policy.

4. Authorship and Contributions

  • Authors must meet the criteria for authorship as defined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
  • Any disputes regarding authorship will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.

See the Metafizika journal’s Ethical Standards for Authors.

5. Handling of Ethical Concerns

  • Ethical concerns raised before or after publication will be reviewed by the editorial board and, if necessary, an external ethics committee.
  • The journal will address concerns such as:
    • Allegations of plagiarism or duplicate publication.
    • Issues related to authorship disputes.
    • Ethical concerns in research design or conduct.

6. Corrections and Retractions

  • If ethical issues are identified post-publication, the journal may issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern, depending on the severity and nature of the issue.
  • All corrective actions will follow COPE guidelines and will be documented to ensure transparency.

7. Editorial Responsibility

The editorial team is committed to maintaining ethical oversight throughout the publication process. This includes:

  • Ensuring that all submissions meet ethical standards.
  • Managing complaints and concerns in a fair, unbiased manner.
  • Providing guidance on ethical practices to authors and reviewers when necessary.

By implementing this ethical oversight policy, Metafizika journal ensures the integrity and trustworthiness of the research it publishes, fostering a culture of ethical scholarship.

 

Ownership and Management

The Metafizika journal operates under the ownership and management of the International Metafizika Center in collaboration with AcademyGate Publishing.

1. Ownership

  • The journal is owned by the International Metafizika Center, a recognized academic organization dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research across social, humanitarian, and scientific disciplines.

2. Management

  • The operational and publishing management of the journal is overseen by AcademyGate Publishing, an established publishing house known for its commitment to academic excellence and integrity.

3. Transparency

  • The journal ensures that its ownership and management information is transparent and accessible to authors, editors, and readers.
  • The names and affiliations of editorial board members, as well as the journal’s policies, are clearly stated on the journal's website to maintain clarity and trust.

 

Intellectual Property Policy

The Metafizika journal is dedicated to respecting and protecting the intellectual property rights of authors, reviewers, and all contributors involved in the publication process. This policy outlines the journal’s commitment to ensuring proper attribution and safeguarding intellectual property in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

1. Copyright and Ownership

  • Copyright Transfer: Upon acceptance of a manuscript for publication, authors are typically required to transfer copyright to Metafizika journal. This transfer allows the journal to publish, distribute, and make the work available online. Authors retain the right to use the work for non-commercial purposes, such as in future publications or teaching.
  • License to Publish: In cases where the copyright is not transferred, authors grant the journal a license to publish and distribute the work in all formats, including print and online, and to allow third-party access under specified conditions.
  • Attribution: Authors must ensure proper attribution of any third-party intellectual property (such as images, tables, or data) used within the manuscript. This includes providing appropriate citations and permissions for copyrighted material.

2. Author Rights

  • Authors may use the content of their published work for personal, academic, and non-commercial purposes, including sharing the work on personal websites, in academic repositories, or in books. Authors should acknowledge the original publication in Metafizika when doing so.
  • Authors are encouraged to share their work publicly through open-access platforms or institutional repositories, provided they adhere to any applicable licensing agreements or restrictions.

3. Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism

  • The journal employs plagiarism detection tools to ensure that manuscripts are free from unauthorized use of others’ work.
  • Self-Plagiarism: Authors should avoid self-plagiarism by not submitting previously published work, or substantial parts of it, as new and original content. When submitting follow-up research or related papers, authors must clearly reference prior works.

4. Third-Party Rights

  • Authors are responsible for obtaining permission from the copyright holders for any material used in their manuscript that is not their own (e.g., copyrighted images, text excerpts, data, etc.). Authors must provide appropriate citations and documentation of permissions for any third-party content used.
  • Any violations of third-party rights, such as unauthorized use of copyrighted material, may result in manuscript rejection or retraction of published work.

5. Data and Reproducibility

  • Authors are encouraged to share datasets, methodologies, and other materials that support the findings of their research. This promotes transparency and the protection of intellectual property by ensuring reproducibility.
  • Any proprietary data or software used in the research should be clearly identified, and proper permissions should be obtained to ensure compliance with intellectual property laws.

6. Ethical Handling of Intellectual Property

  • The journal ensures that all manuscripts undergo rigorous ethical review, including the proper handling of intellectual property issues.
  • Any allegations of intellectual property infringement, such as copyright violations or improper use of third-party content, will be investigated promptly.
  • The journal follows the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to address intellectual property disputes and violations.

By adhering to this intellectual property policy, Metafizika ensures the protection of authors' rights while maintaining the integrity of the scholarly publishing process. This policy fosters a responsible and ethical approach to intellectual property in academic research.

 

 

Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the research it publishes. This policy outlines the journal’s procedures for post-publication discussions, corrections, and actions to address errors or concerns after publication.

1. Post-Publication Discussions

  • Engagement with Authors: Readers and experts are encouraged to submit comments or questions regarding published articles. Authors may respond to these comments and clarifications may be provided if necessary.

2. Corrections and Clarifications

  • Errata or Corrections: If an error is identified in a published article (e.g., data, methodology, or results), a correction may be issued. This could be an erratum or corrigendum linked to the original article, indicating the correction.
  • Types of Corrections:
    • Erratum: For errors identified by the author(s).
    • Corrigendum: For errors identified by the journal.
    • Retraction: If significant errors or ethical violations are found, a retraction may be issued. The reason for retraction will be published.
    • Expression of Concern: When potential issues are identified but a retraction is not necessary, an expression of concern may be issued.

3. Retractions

  • When Retractions Are Issued: Retractions are issued for serious issues such as data falsification, plagiarism, or other ethical violations. The retraction will be clearly marked, and the reason for retraction will be explained.
  • Impact on Citations: The retracted article will be removed from citation lists, and a retraction note will be added to its DOI.

4. Ethical Violations

  • If ethical concerns arise, the journal will investigate in accordance with COPE guidelines and may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction based on the findings.

5. Publication of Corrections or Retractions

  • Visibility of Corrections: Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern will be made publicly available and linked to the original article, ensuring transparency in maintaining the scientific record.

By following these procedures, Metafizika ensures that any issues post-publication are addressed responsibly, maintaining the trust of the academic community.

 

Publication Frequency and Schedule

Quarterly Publication:

  • Metafizika adheres to a strict quarterly publication schedule, producing four issues annually—one for each quarter. The issues are typically released on consistent dates to maintain regularity, such as at the end of March, June, September, and December.
  • This predictable schedule ensures that contributors, readers, and indexers can rely on the journal for timely updates in the fields of metaphysics, social sciences, and related interdisciplinary studies.

Importance of Regularity:

  • A regular publication cycle is crucial for maintaining the journal's reputation as a reliable source of academic information.
  • It enhances the journal’s eligibility for indexing in international bibliographic databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, where consistency is a key criterion for inclusion.
  • Quarterly publication allows for timely dissemination of recent research findings while giving authors sufficient opportunities to submit throughout the year.

 

Access Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to providing access to high-quality scholarly content while maintaining transparency regarding its access model and any associated fees.

1. Access to Articles

  • Open Access: All articles published in Metafizika are freely available to readers without any subscription fees or pay-per-view charges. The journal supports the open-access model, ensuring that research is accessible to a global audience.
  • Full-Text Availability: Articles can be accessed directly from the journal's website in multiple formats (e.g., PDF, HTML) to accommodate reader preferences.

2. Archiving and Continued Access

  • Articles published in Metafizika are securely archived through PORTICO to ensure long-term accessibility, even in the event that the journal ceases publication.

3. No Hidden Fees

The journal does not impose additional fees for accessing articles, ensuring that scholarly work is disseminated without financial barriers to readers.

By adhering to this access policy, Metafizika ensures that its articles are widely available, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration across the global academic community.

 

Archival Practices

Digital Archive Availability:

  • Past issues of Metafizika are systematically archived on the journal's official website, providing unrestricted access to readers and researchers.
  • Each archived issue includes the full-text articles, along with metadata such as titles, abstracts, keywords, and author affiliations. This structured presentation ensures discoverability and usability.
  • The archives serve as a repository of knowledge, enabling longitudinal studies in the journal’s focus areas and showcasing its historical contribution to academia.

Preservation and Accessibility:

  • Metafizika leverages digital preservation standards to ensure that its archives remain accessible long-term. These measures may include the use of formats such as PDF/A for stability and compliance with global archiving initiatives.
  • The journal is also likely integrated with platforms such as CrossRef, which assigns Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to all articles, ensuring persistent access regardless of changes to the journal’s website infrastructure.

Benefits of Regularity and Archiving

1. Academic Reliability:

  • Regular publication signals the journal's commitment to its contributors and readers, ensuring the consistent availability of high-quality research.
  • Timely dissemination aligns with the needs of a dynamic academic community, which values up-to-date insights and findings.

2. Citation Growth:

  • Quarterly publication creates more opportunities for articles to be cited, which is critical for boosting the journal’s impact and visibility in academic circles.

3. Compliance with Indexing Requirements:

  • Indexing organizations like Scopus and Web of Science prioritize journals with consistent publication schedules and reliable archives, as these indicate operational stability and scholarly integrity.

4. Author Engagement:

  • A regular publishing schedule encourages continuous submissions, as authors feel confident that their work will be evaluated and published promptly if accepted.

5. Historical Record for Metaphysical Studies:

  • The archive of past issues serves as a critical resource for researchers tracing the evolution of ideas and trends in metaphysics, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.

 

Archiving Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to ensuring the long-term accessibility and preservation of its content. To safeguard against the potential disruption of access, the journal has established an archiving plan that ensures electronic backup and continued availability of its articles.

1. Long-Term Access and Preservation

The journal’s content is securely archived through trusted digital preservation services to guarantee continued access to the articles, even if the journal ceases publication in the future. This includes:

  • CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS): The journal’s content is deposited with CLOCKSS, a trusted service providing long-term archiving and guaranteed access to scholarly works.
  • PubMed Central: Where applicable, the journal may deposit content in PubMed Central to further ensure its preservation and accessibility in the medical and life sciences fields.
  • PORTICO: The Metafizika journal’s content is deposited with PORTICO, a leading digital preservation service, ensuring long-term access and availability of its scholarly content.

2. Backup Systems

Regular backups of the journal’s articles and metadata are maintained to ensure data integrity and to provide a reliable recovery system in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

3. Public Access

Access to archived content will remain open and available to readers, ensuring that published research continues to contribute to academic knowledge and is preserved for future generations of researchers and scholars.

By implementing this archiving policy, Metafizika ensures that its content is securely preserved and remains accessible even in the event that publication ceases, maintaining its contribution to the academic community.

 

Future Enhancements

  • As part of ongoing improvements, Metafizika could consider additional features like open-access repositories, indexing with specialized subject databases, and partnerships with global archiving platforms such as LOCKSS or Portico for enhanced digital preservation.
  • Expanding the search functionality within the archives, such as full-text and semantic search options, would further enhance accessibility.

Multilingual Publication

Languages Offered:

  • Metafizika publishes articles in six major languages:
    • English: For reaching a global scholarly audience.
    • Russian: Catering to a large academic community in Russia and post-Soviet regions.
    • Azerbaijani: As the journal originates from Azerbaijan, this supports local and regional scholarship.
    • Turkish: Engaging with the extensive Turkish-speaking academic world.
    • Persian: Reaching scholars in Iran and other Persian-speaking areas.
    • Arabic: Serving researchers and intellectuals in the Arab world.

This multilingual approach reflects the journal's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse scholarly community. It also aligns with its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural focus, particularly in the social sciences and humanities.

Ensuring Global Accessibility

English as the Common Language:

  • Regardless of the language of the article, all titles, abstracts, and keywords are translated into English. This ensures:
    • International readers can understand the core content of each article, even if the full text is in a different language.
    • Enhanced discoverability through indexing services like Scopus, where English metadata is often a requirement.

Benefits of English Metadata:

  • Facilitates citation and cross-referencing across diverse academic communities.
  • Makes the journal's contributions accessible to researchers in countries where English is the primary or secondary academic language.
  • Complies with the expectations of major indexing platforms and databases for standardized metadata.

Editorial and Translation Quality

1. Professional Translation and Editing Services:

  • The journal employs or collaborates with professional translators and language editors to ensure accuracy and consistency in translations.
  • Abstracts and keywords are translated with technical precision to reflect the nuances of the original work, particularly for complex metaphysical and interdisciplinary concepts.

2. Language Quality Checks:

  • Articles in English undergo rigorous language editing to meet international academic standards.
  • For non-English manuscripts, reviewers proficient in the specific language ensure linguistic and conceptual clarity.

Relevance to International Indexing

The multilingual publication strategy and the use of English abstracts and metadata enhance the journal's chances of inclusion in indexing databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and others. These platforms prioritize journals that demonstrate accessibility to a global audience.

Future Enhancements for Global Reach

  • Expanding the use of multilingual summaries for all articles to include brief translations in the six publishing languages, further aiding accessibility.
  • Leveraging machine translation tools for preliminary translations while ensuring human verification for accuracy.
  • Enhancing online search functionality by incorporating multilingual keyword indexing.

Ethical Practices and Comprehensive Ethics Statement

1. Authorship Standards:

  • Metafizika follows clear authorship guidelines to ensure that credit is given appropriately.
  • Authorship criteria: Only individuals who made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research are listed as authors.
  • Acknowledgment of contributors: Those who provided support but did not meet authorship criteria are acknowledged separately.

2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

  • All authors, reviewers, and editors are required to declare potential conflicts of interest that could influence their work.
  • The journal ensures transparency by publishing conflict-of-interest disclosures when necessary.

3. Plagiarism Prevention:

  • The journal has zero tolerance for plagiarism. Submitted manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection tools such as iThenticate or similar systems, ensuring the originality of content.
  • If plagiarism is detected before publication, the manuscript is rejected. If identified post-publication, the journal may retract the article and publish a retraction notice.

4. Handling Misconduct and Retractions:

  • In line with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, Metafizika has clear protocols for dealing with allegations of ethical breaches such as falsification, plagiarism, or duplicate submissions.
  • If misconduct is confirmed, the journal takes corrective actions, which may include retracting the article and notifying relevant databases or institutions.

Alignment with COPE Guidelines

1. Publication Ethics:

  • Metafizika is committed to upholding the best practices outlined by COPE, ensuring that all stakeholders—authors, reviewers, editors, and readers—adhere to high ethical standards.
  • Key Practices Include:
    • Investigating and resolving ethical complaints effectively and transparently.
    • Avoiding editorial conflicts of interest.
    • Ensuring fairness in manuscript handling and decision-making processes.

2. Retraction and Correction Policies:

  • Metafizika has a policy for retracting or correcting published content that does not meet ethical or scholarly standards. Retraction notices clearly state the reasons for retraction to maintain trust with the readership.

Plagiarism Detection Tools

  • Metafizika employs advanced tools like iThenticate, which checks submitted manuscripts against a comprehensive database of published academic content.
  • This ensures that the manuscripts are original and that proper citations are provided for referenced material.

Why iThenticate or Similar Tools Are Recommended:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Includes published journal articles, conference proceedings, books, and web content.
  • Accurate Reporting: Provides detailed similarity reports, helping authors and editors address flagged issues pre-publication.
  • Global Standard: Recognized as an industry-standard tool for academic and scientific integrity.

Transparency in Policies and Accessibility

1. Editorial Policies:

  • The journal makes its ethical policies openly accessible on its official website.
  • These policies include detailed guidelines for authors, reviewers, and editors, fostering trust and accountability in the publishing process.

2. Open-Access Format:

  • As an open-access journal, Metafizika provides free access to its content, promoting the democratization of knowledge.
  • The open-access format also ensures that ethical guidelines are not only available but also widely visible and enforceable.

Adherence to International Standards

1. Avoidance of Predatory Practices:

  • Metafizika complies with the standards required by respected indexing organizations like Scopus, Web of Science, and DOAJ.
  • The journal avoids practices associated with predatory publishers by maintaining a transparent peer-review process, publishing ethics statements, and charging fair fees (if applicable).

2. Compliance with Indexing Standards:

  • To align with indexing requirements, the journal:
    • Publishes regularly to demonstrate operational stability.
    • Provides detailed metadata for each article, including DOI registration through CrossRef.
    • Ensures the global accessibility of content by translating abstracts, titles, and keywords into English.

Future Enhancements

To further strengthen its ethical framework and integrity, Metafizika may consider:

  • Implementing ethics training sessions for authors and reviewers.
  • Adopting ORCID IDs to ensure accurate attribution and enhance transparency.
  • Partnering with global initiatives like COPE membership to deepen its commitment to publication ethics.

 

Revenue Sources Policy

The Metafizika journal is committed to transparency regarding its business model and revenue sources. All relevant information concerning the journal’s financial practices, including any associated fees and support mechanisms, is clearly stated on the journal’s website.

1. Revenue Sources

The journal's primary revenue sources may include, but are not limited to:

  • Author Fees: Fees charged to authors for publication or submission, if applicable.
  • Subscriptions: Revenue generated through subscriptions to the journal.
  • Advertising: Income from advertisements displayed in the journal or on its website.
  • Reprints: Income from requests for reprints of published articles.
  • Institutional and Organizational Support: Financial support from institutions, organizations, or academic societies that sponsor or support the journal.

2. Transparency of Financial Practices

All business models and revenue sources are clearly outlined on the journal’s website to ensure transparency. Authors and readers have access to information regarding any fees or charges associated with the journal, including author fees, subscription models, and the use of advertising.

3. Impact on Editorial Decision-Making

The journal maintains strict editorial independence. Publishing fees or waiver status, as well as any other financial aspects, will never influence editorial decisions. The editorial process remains solely focused on the quality, integrity, and academic merit of the submitted work.

By adhering to this policy, Metafizika ensures that its revenue sources are transparent and that the financial model does not impact the integrity of the journal’s editorial decisions.

 

Advertising Policy

The Metafizika journal has established the following advertising policy to ensure transparency and integrity in the publication process.

1. Types of Advertisements Considered

The journal may accept advertisements related to academic publishing, research tools, conferences, educational programs, and other scholarly products or services. Advertisements promoting unrelated or non-academic content will not be accepted.

2. Decision-Making Process

All decisions regarding the acceptance of advertisements are made by the editorial team in consultation with the journal's business management. The journal retains full control over its editorial content and ensures that advertising does not influence editorial decisions.

3. Advertising and Reader Behavior (Online Only)

Advertisements displayed online are not linked to the content of articles or the behavior of readers. They are displayed in a way that ensures they remain separate from the editorial content and are not influenced by individual reading patterns or user interactions.

4. Separation from Editorial Content

Advertisements are clearly distinguished from editorial content. They will not be placed in a manner that could be confused with the journal's academic or scholarly articles. Ads will be presented in designated sections of the website or journal layout, separate from the published research.

5. Ethical Standards

Advertisements will comply with ethical standards, ensuring that they are not misleading or deceptive. The journal reserves the right to reject any advertisement that conflicts with its values or professional standards.

By maintaining this policy, Metafizika ensures that advertisements are clearly separated from editorial content and that the integrity of the research published remains unaffected by external commercial interests.

 

 

Direct Marketing Policy

The Metafizika journal conducts all direct marketing activities with the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that all interactions with potential authors and readers are appropriate, well-targeted, and unobtrusive.

1. Targeted and Ethical Marketing

Any solicitation of manuscripts or other direct marketing activities on behalf of the journal will be carefully targeted to individuals who are likely to be interested in the journal's focus areas. The marketing efforts will be relevant to the academic and scholarly community, and will not intrude upon or disrupt their academic work.

2. Accuracy and Truthfulness

Information provided about the publisher or journal in marketing materials will be accurate, clear, and truthful. All promotional content will truthfully represent the scope, aims, and editorial standards of the journal, avoiding any misleading or exaggerated claims.

3. Non-Intrusive Approach

Direct marketing efforts will be conducted in a non-intrusive manner, with the aim of informing rather than overwhelming potential contributors or readers. Communications will be sent with respect for the recipient's time and privacy.

By following this policy, Metafizika ensures that all direct marketing efforts are conducted ethically and with integrity, fostering a respectful relationship with authors and readers.

  • Tarix:2022-01-27

About Journal

Ethics & Policies