Research and Publication Ethics

ATSK Publishers

ATSK Publishers is committed to ensuring the highest standards of ethics in scientific publishing. We adhere to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The following principles govern our approach to ethical publishing for authors, editors, and reviewers.

📘 1. Publication Ethics Statement

To ensure the publication of high-quality, trustworthy scientific research, ATSK Publishers maintains a rigorous peer-review process and upholds the integrity of the scholarly record. We are committed to investigating and addressing issues such as:

  • Plagiarism
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Image manipulation
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Misconduct in authorship or peer review

In cases of confirmed ethical violations, we will take appropriate corrective actions, including editorial corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.

✍️ 2. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting to ATSK Journals must:

  1. Present Original Work
    • Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
    • Republishing content in another language is also not permitted without proper disclosure.
  2. Ensure Accurate Reporting
    • Data and findings must be presented truthfully and transparently.
    • Results should not be fabricated, falsified, or selectively omitted.
  3. Disclose Conflicts of Interest
    • Authors must disclose any potential financial or personal relationships that could influence their research.
  4. Detail Methods and Data
    • Methods should be described in enough detail to allow replication.
    • Authors are encouraged to make raw data publicly available unless restricted (e.g., patient confidentiality).
  5. Avoid Multiple Submissions
    • Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is not permitted.
  6. Acknowledge Prior Work
    • All sources must be appropriately cited.
    • Permission must be obtained to reuse previously published content.
  7. Correct the Record When Needed
    • If significant errors or inaccuracies are found after publication, authors must promptly inform the editorial office so corrections can be issued.
  8. Follow Local and International Ethical Standards
    • Authors must comply with local laws and institutional guidelines governing research and publishing ethics.

👥 3. Authorship and Contributor Responsibilities

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

  • Substantial contributions to the conception/design, data acquisition, or analysis
  • Drafting or critically revising the manuscript
  • Final approval of the version to be published
  • Accountability for all aspects of the work

Additional guidelines:

  • Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged separately.
  • Any changes to the author list after submission must be approved by all authors.
  • The corresponding author is responsible for managing communication with the journal and ensuring all co-authors agree to the manuscript’s content and submission.

🔍 4. Human and Animal Research Ethics

For studies involving humans or animals:

  • A statement of approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee must be included.
  • Research involving human participants must confirm that informed consent was obtained.
  • Studies must comply with ethical standards such as the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant national/institutional guidelines.

📷 5. Plagiarism, Data Fabrication, and Image Manipulation

Plagiarism

ATSK Publishers has a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. This includes:

  • Copying content without attribution, including self-plagiarism
  • Failing to cite prior work that influenced the study design, language, or methodology
  • Reuse of text, figures, or ideas without proper quotation or permission

Detected plagiarism may result in rejection during review or retraction post-publication.

Data Fabrication and Falsification

  • The invention or manipulation of research data is strictly prohibited.
  • All results must reflect actual observations or findings.

Image Manipulation

  • Image files may not be altered to misrepresent data.
  • The following are considered unethical:
    • Adding/removing elements from an image
    • Combining images from unrelated experiments without clear separation
    • Adjusting brightness/contrast to obscure or exaggerate findings

Submissions with inappropriate image modifications may be rejected or retracted.

🔎 6. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers

Editors

  • Ensure a fair, unbiased, and timely peer-review process
  • Address all ethical concerns promptly and transparently
  • Maintain confidentiality of submissions

Reviewers

  • Provide objective, constructive feedback
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Disclose conflicts of interest
  • Refrain from using unpublished material for personal advantage

🛡️ 7. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

When ethical concerns are raised:

  1. The editorial team will conduct a preliminary assessment.
  2. Authors may be contacted for clarification or explanation.
  3. If misconduct is confirmed, actions may include:
    • Rejection of the manuscript
    • Retraction or correction of a published article
    • Notification of the author’s institution or funding body

ATSK Publishers will follow COPE flowcharts and best practices for resolving such cases.

📢 8. Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or raise complaints about the review process. Appeals must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed by a senior editorial panel. All appeals are considered carefully and independently.