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Editorial Policies

Editorial Policies

Content

The journal follows the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). By submitting a manuscript, all authors confirm that they have carefully reviewed and agreed to its content, and that the work complies with the journal's policies.

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The journal does not accept adverts from third parties.

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Affiliations

The institutions or organizations that authorized, funded, and/or carried out the study or academic activity must be acknowledged by the authors through a comprehensive list of affiliations.

  • Authors should disclose their present institutional affiliation in non-research articles.
  • The affiliation where the research was done and the author's present affiliation should be noted if the author relocated to a different institution before the article was published.
  • Authors should explicitly declare their independence if they do not currently have an institutional affiliation.

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Appeals and Complaints

The journal complies with the Committee on Publication Ethics' (COPE) rules regarding complaints regarding a journal's editorial handling of the peer review process and appeals to editor decisions. Sincere appeals to editor decisions are encouraged. However, you will have to respond to the editor's and reviewers' remarks with compelling evidence or fresh data/information.

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Acknowledgment

It is important to acknowledge those who helped create a work but do not fit the requirements for authorship. The efforts of organizations that have provided funding and/or other important resources must be acknowledged.

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Authorship

Including authors' names in an article is essential for recognizing those who have significantly contributed to the research. It also ensures transparency for those responsible for maintaining the content's integrity. To be listed as an author on an article, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  1. They must have made a significant contribution to various aspects of the research project, including conceptualization, study design, implementation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  2. They should have participated in drafting or revising the manuscript, or have critically evaluated the work.
  3. The journal to which the article will be submitted must have been chosen.
  4. The article should have undergone a comprehensive review process, with all versions reviewed and approved before submission, including careful scrutiny of the final accepted version during proofreading.

Authors must agree to take responsibility for the article's content and collaborate in addressing any questions about the accuracy or integrity of the published work.

To change the authorship of a publication, either before or after its release, unanimous consent must be obtained from all authors, including those being added or removed. The corresponding author is responsible for confirming this agreement from all co-authors and justifying the need for the change. If adjustments to authorship are needed after publication, they will be addressed through a post-publication notification. All changes must comply with the established authorship standards. Requests for significant changes to the authorship list after acceptance may be denied unless compelling justifications and evidence of contributions from the authors are provided.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship credit should be based exclusively on significant contributions to the three key components outlined earlier. The first component includes the study's conceptualization and design, along with data collection and analysis. The second component involves either the initial writing of the article or its critical revision to incorporate substantial intellectual contributions. The third component requires granting final approval for the article's publication in its current form.

Simply participating in funding acquisition or data collection does not justify authorship. Additionally, providing general oversight of a research team does not meet the authorship criteria. It is essential that every individual involved in the project has made meaningful contributions to justify their accountability for the relevant sections of the document.

The order of authorship should reflect the contributions of each individual to the research and writing processes. Once submitted, this order is fixed unless all authors explicitly agree to any changes. The maximum number of authors allowed for a paper is set by the journal, taking into account factors such as the manuscript type, its scope, and the number of institutions involved. If the number of authors exceeds the established limits, an explanation should be provided.

Contribution Details

Individuals participating in the project are required to provide a detailed account of their specific contributions to the document. These contributions should be categorized appropriately into areas such as concept development, study design, defining intellectual content, conducting literature reviews, clinical studies, experimental studies, data collection, data analysis, statistical analysis, manuscript writing, editing, and reviewing. The contributions of the authors will be acknowledged in the publication of the article. Additionally, one or more authors will be designated as "guarantors," responsible for ensuring the integrity of the work from its inception through to publication.

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Citations

To support claims made in both research and non-research articles, it is essential to include appropriate citations to relevant, current, and credible literature, prioritizing peer-reviewed sources. Authors should avoid excessive or inappropriate self-citation, as well as any collusion among author groups to inappropriately cite each other’s work. Such actions constitute misconduct known as citation manipulation; it is important to familiarize yourself with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding this issue.

For authors contributing to non-research articles, such as reviews or opinion pieces, it is crucial to ensure that the references used are relevant and provide an impartial, thorough overview of existing research or scholarly work on the topic. References should demonstrate fairness and avoid any bias towards a particular research group, organization, or journal.

If there is any doubt about the necessity of citing a source, it is advisable to consult with the journal's editorial office for guidance.

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Conflicts of Interest/Competing Interests

Authors of papers must fully disclose any conflicts of interest related to the publication of their manuscript, including any affiliations with institutions or products mentioned in the work that could potentially affect the study's findings. Additionally, authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest concerning products that compete with those discussed in their manuscript.

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Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

Occasionally, it may be necessary to make modifications to the final edited version of a published article. The Editor will oversee this process in collaboration with the journal team, ensuring that any changes comply with the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any changes made will be accompanied by a permanent post-publication notification linked to the original article to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record. The types of corrections to an academic publication may include a Correction notice (Corrigendum or Erratum), an Expression of Concern, a Retraction, or, in exceptional circumstances, a Removal.

The primary aim of these corrections is to ensure transparent and permanent modifications to uphold the integrity of the published record.

Correction Notice: A Correction notice will be issued when it is necessary to amend an error or omission that could affect the interpretation of the article, while maintaining the article's scholarly integrity. Errors can include misidentifications of graphical representations, omissions of details regarding funding, or undisclosed conflicts of interest. There are two types of correction notices:

  • Corrigendum: Used for errors introduced by the authors.
  • Erratum: Used for errors introduced by the publisher.

Retraction Notice: A retraction will be issued when a significant error, such as flaws in analysis or methodology, invalidates the article’s conclusions. Retractions will also occur in cases of research or publication misconduct, including conducting research without necessary ethical approvals, fabricating data, manipulating images, plagiarism, or publishing duplicate content. The decision to retract an article will adhere to COPE guidelines. Authors and institutions can request a retraction if they provide reasons aligned with the established grounds. All retractions will follow these guidelines:

  • The retraction and the original article will be linked in both directions.
  • The retracted article will be clearly marked as such.
  • The original HTML version will be retained, with both the HTML and PDF versions marked as 'Retracted'.
  • A detailed explanation for the retraction will be provided.
  • The individuals responsible for requesting the retraction, including authors and/or the Editor, will be clearly identified.

The goal of a retraction is to correct the scholarly literature and uphold the published record's integrity, not to punish authors. Typically, authorship disputes are not resolved through retractions. In such cases, issuing a corrigendum is recommended, and changes in authorship can be justified with support from the authors' institutions. To mitigate the consequences of inaccurate or misleading publications, efforts will be made to promptly issue retractions when necessary.

Expression of Concern: This notification may be issued when there are significant concerns, such as serious research or publication misconduct. It is usually issued when investigations are inconclusive or lengthy. Following the investigation, a Correction or Retraction notice may follow the Expression of Concern, and both will remain in the public record alongside the original article.

Removal Notice: In exceptional cases, a Removal notice may be issued when issues cannot be resolved through Retraction or Correction notices. This may occur if the article's content is deemed defamatory, violates legal rights, or is subject to a court order. If an article is withdrawn online, a notification of removal will be published in its place.

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To include specific information or visuals pertaining to an individual in a manuscript, it is essential to obtain written informed consent from that individual. For minors under the age of 18, consent must be obtained from their parent or legal guardian. If the individual’s details are to be published under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, explicit authorization is required to ensure their information will be publicly accessible on the internet. In cases where an individual has passed away, approval must be sought from their closest living relative prior to publication. Furthermore, the manuscript must include a declaration confirming that written informed consent for publication was obtained.

Authors have the option to use their own consent form or a consent form provided by their institution, ensuring it meets the necessary criteria. The consent form should clearly state that the specific information and photographs will be made available on the internet without restrictions, allowing public access. Authors must submit the consent form to the Editor upon request, and it will be treated confidentially.

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Confidentiality

A submitted manuscript is considered confidential. Academic journals implement strict confidentiality protocols to protect the privacy of submitted papers. Access to the manuscript is limited to individuals involved in its processing and preparation for potential publication, including the editorial team, corresponding authors, potential reviewers, actual reviewers, and editors.

In instances where misconduct is suspected, it is permissible for the manuscript to be shared with ethical committees of academic journals and relevant institutions for the purpose of investigating the alleged misconduct. In such cases, journals are expected to adhere to applicable guidelines, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) flowcharts.

Regarding copyright policy, it is important to note that authors typically retain certain rights even after publication. Authors may need to transfer copyright to the journal, depending on the journal’s policies. This transfer allows the journal to manage the publication process, while authors can often retain rights to use their work in certain ways, such as in teaching or future research. Authors should carefully review the copyright agreement provided by the journal to understand their rights and obligations fully.

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Who is eligible to submit? Individuals have the opportunity to submit an authentic manuscript for potential publishing in the Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University Journal of Legal Studies on the condition that they possess the copyright to the submitted work or have obtained authorization from the copyright owner(s) to do so.

User Rights

The Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University Journal of Legal Studies is an open-access journal. Users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles under the following conditions: CC BY 4.0 Deed - Attribution 4.0 International - Creative Commons. Copyright statement stated here and embedded in each published article.

Open Access Policy

The journal is an Open Access journal. Users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles under the following conditions: CC BY 4.0 Deed - Attribution 4.0 International - Creative Commons. This license allows readers to copy, distribute, and transmit, to alter, transform, or build upon the Contribution, and to use the article for commercial purposes as long as it is attributed back to the author and the source, i.e., the original author(s) and the source is given appropriate credit.

Author Rights

Authors will retain copyright alongside scholarly usage rights, and the Publisher will be granted publishing and distribution rights.

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Data Falsification/Fabrication

Instances of intentional data manipulation or fabrication are considered serious academic misconduct. Such actions are specifically designed to deceive others and undermine the integrity of the scholarly body of knowledge, leading to significant and lasting consequences for both the individuals involved and the academic community at large. To uphold the integrity of the research process, authors must ensure the accuracy and fidelity of all data presented in their submissions. This includes verifying that the data authentically represents their research findings.

Furthermore, authors are required to retain all original data included in their manuscripts. This retention is vital for the transparency and reproducibility of research, facilitating the journal's evaluation process. If authors are unable to provide the primary data upon request, it may lead to the refusal of manuscript acceptance or the retraction of published work. This policy reinforces the commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in research and publication.

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Duplicate Submission/Publication

Authors are required to disclose during the submission process that their manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The identification of a duplicate submission or publication is typically viewed as a deliberate act, including cases where articles have been previously published in another language.

In accordance with the guidelines established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), authors must obtain permission from the publisher and copyright holder of the original article before submitting or publishing a secondary version, such as a translation into English.

Moreover, authors have the responsibility to inform the editor of the journal receiving the manuscript about the origin of the original article. It is crucial to clearly indicate to readers that the submitted work is a translated version, and it should include a proper citation that references the original source. This practice ensures transparency, maintains academic integrity, and respects the rights of original authors and publishers.

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Funding

Authors are required by the journal to disclose all sources of funding and any financial support received for their work. This includes a detailed description of the role of any sponsors throughout various stages of the research process, from the study design to the submission of the manuscript for publication.

It is essential to include a clear statement indicating whether the sponsor(s) had any involvement in the research. If they did not participate in any aspect of the study or manuscript preparation, this should be explicitly stated.

Authors should ensure that the information provided is precise and consistent with the guidelines established by their funding organizations. Accurately disclosing funding sources and sponsorship involvement promotes transparency and integrity within the research community.

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Images and Figures

To include photographs, videos, or audio recordings that may reveal the identities of patients or research participants, it is essential to obtain Consent to Publish from the individuals involved. This consent must be secured from the participants themselves, their next of kin in the case of deceased participants, or from parents or guardians if the participants are minors or classified as vulnerable. Authors must be mindful of cultural sensitivities regarding the inclusion of photographs in their manuscripts. In some cultural contexts, the depiction of human remains or deceased individuals may be restricted. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to ethical protocols by considering the viewpoints and approval processes of the relevant communities.

When using experimental photographs, especially those obtained through microscopy, the authors should strive to accurately represent the original image. If any alterations or enhancements are made to images, a detailed explanation must be provided in the manuscript and figure legend to avoid misleading readers about the depicted content. Authors should be prepared to supply the editorial office with the original, unaltered, unannotated, and unprocessed photographs upon request. Any modifications to images should be limited in scope and uniformly applied throughout the entire image. Authors are required to provide comprehensive information regarding image acquisition methods, any alterations made, including specific software used and its version number. Alterations that could change the scientific interpretation of the image are strictly prohibited.

When utilizing images or figures from previously published materials, authors must obtain proper authorization from the copyright holder for reuse. A statement confirming this authorization must be included in the figure legend. Additionally, proper citation of the original source of an image is required, whether the image is copyrighted or is available for reuse under a suitable license.

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Misconduct

The journal considers all forms of misconduct to be serious violations and is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. In alignment with the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the journal will take all necessary actions to address and resolve any instances of misconduct. This includes investigating allegations thoroughly and implementing appropriate measures to uphold ethical standards in research and publication. Ensuring transparency and accountability is paramount to fostering trust within the academic community.

Examples of misconduct include (but are not limited to):

  • Affiliation misrepresentation
  • Breaches in copyright/use of third-party material without appropriate permissions
  • Citation manipulation
  • Duplicate submission/publication
  • “Ethics dumping”
  • Image or data manipulation/fabrication
  • Peer review manipulation
  • Plagiarism
  • Text-recycling/self-plagiarism
  • Undisclosed competing interests
  • Unethical research

Duplicate Submission

Manuscripts that are found to have been previously published or are currently under review elsewhere will face penalties related to duplicate submission and publication. If authors wish to incorporate their own previously published work or works that are undergoing review into a submitted paper, they are required to properly acknowledge and cite those works.

Additionally, authors must explicitly articulate the unique contributions of their submitted manuscript, detailing how it extends beyond the findings of the previous work. This clarification is essential to demonstrate the novelty and significance of the new submission and to uphold the standards of originality and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing.

Citation Manipulation

Manuscripts that are found to contain citations that are primarily aimed at artificially inflating the citation count of an author's work or papers published in a specific journal will face penalties for citation manipulation. Such actions compromise the integrity of the academic publishing process and distort the true impact of scholarly research. The journal is committed to ensuring ethical citation practices and will take appropriate actions against authors who engage in this form of misconduct. This includes the potential rejection of the manuscript and reporting the issue to relevant academic and ethical bodies.

Data Fabrication and Falsification

Manuscripts that are found to contain fabricated or falsified experimental results, including the alteration of photographs, will face serious sanctions for data fabrication and falsification. Such unethical practices undermine the credibility of scientific research and violate the principles of integrity and honesty that are essential in academic publishing. The journal is committed to investigating any allegations of misconduct rigorously and will take appropriate actions, which may include the rejection of the manuscript, retraction of published work, and reporting the issue to relevant scientific and ethical authorities. Maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record is of utmost importance.

Improper Author Contribution or Attribution

It is essential that all authors listed in the publication have made substantial scientific contributions to the research and have given their approval for all claims made within the document. To ensure that key contributions are fully acknowledged, it is important to include all individuals involved in the research process, such as students and laboratory personnel, who have played a significant role in the study. This practice fosters transparency and accountability and helps to uphold the ethical standards of authorship in scholarly publishing. Proper acknowledgment of all contributors ensures that everyone’s efforts are recognized and that the integrity of the publication is maintained.

Redundant Publications

Redundant publications involve the inappropriate division of study outcomes into several articles.

Image Manipulation

Misconduct encompasses actions that violate the editorial policies, journal guidelines, publishing ethics, or any relevant rules established by organizations such as COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), WAME (World Association of Medical Editors), ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors), and STM (International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers). Additionally, any activities that jeopardize or compromise the integrity of the research and publication process may also be categorized as potential misconduct. Alleged instances of wrongdoing will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with established protocols. These investigations will adhere to the guidelines set forth by COPE to ensure a fair and transparent process for addressing allegations of misconduct. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing and will take appropriate actions in response to confirmed cases of misconduct to protect the integrity of the academic record.

Publication Ethics

The journal and its editorial board fully adhere to and comply with the policies and principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Duties of Editors

Publication Decisions

The responsibility for determining which papers will be published in the journal rests with the editorial board. The decision-making process of the board involves careful consideration and consultation of reviewer recommendations, while also adhering to legal obligations related to libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. It is important to note that the origins of a manuscript—including the nationality, ethnicity, political opinions, race, or religion of the authors—do not influence the editorial judgments. The editorial board is committed to making decisions based solely on the quality, originality, and relevance of the research presented in the manuscripts, ensuring a fair and impartial review process that upholds the integrity of scholarly publishing.

Confidentiality, Disclosure, and Conflicts of Interest

During the article review process, it is crucial for editors to uphold strict confidentiality by not disclosing any information related to the submitted manuscript, except to the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and other editorial advisors. This confidentiality is essential for maintaining the integrity of the review process. Furthermore, the use of unpublished materials presented in a submitted manuscript by an editor, reviewer, or any other reader is strictly prohibited unless explicit written permission has been obtained from the author. This policy helps to protect the intellectual property and rights of the authors. Additionally, it is imperative to provide readers with detailed information regarding the funding sources for the research or scholarly work. This includes disclosing any potential involvement of the funders in the study process and publishing, as transparency about funding sources is essential to maintain trust and accountability in the research community.

Author Relations

The editors strive to ensure that the peer review process at the journal is characterized by fairness, impartiality, and timeliness. To promote an unbiased review, the journal has established specific protocols for managing submissions from members of the editorial board, ensuring that such submissions undergo a fair and objective review process distinct from other submissions. Additionally, the guidelines outlined in the author’s instructions provide clear direction on the criteria that determine authorship. These guidelines are designed to ensure that all contributors who meet the necessary criteria for authorship are appropriately recognized, thereby upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing. The journal is committed to maintaining high standards throughout the review and publication processes.

Reviewer Relations

The journal strongly encourages reviewers to provide feedback regarding ethical concerns and potential misconduct that may arise from submitted manuscripts. This includes identifying issues such as unethical research design, inappropriate manipulation of data, repetitive publication, and plagiarism. Reviewers play a vital role in upholding the integrity of the research process, and their vigilance is essential in maintaining high ethical standards.

Complete reviewers' comments are generally communicated to the authors, unless they contain offensive or defamatory statements. This practice promotes transparency and constructive feedback, facilitating the improvement of manuscripts.

The journal is committed to recognizing the valuable contributions of reviewers and will discontinue the use of reviewers who consistently provide evaluations that are discourteous, of poor quality, or submitted after the designated deadline. This policy helps to ensure that the peer review process remains respectful and efficient, reinforcing the journal's dedication to academic integrity and scholarly excellence.

Quality Assurance

It is essential for editors to take appropriate measures to uphold the quality of the content they publish, recognizing that different sections of the journal may have distinct objectives and criteria. Editors must ensure that any study published has received approval from a relevant governing authority, such as a research ethics committee or institutional review board, when applicable. Additionally, editors should remain vigilant regarding intellectual property issues and work closely with their publishers to effectively address any potential violations of legal and ethical standards. It is also imperative for editors to promptly rectify any errors, inaccuracies, or misleading statements in published work, ensuring that such corrections are appropriately highlighted. This commitment to accuracy and ethical standards is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the journal and fostering trust within the academic community.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers play a crucial role in assisting the editorial board in making informed editorial decisions. The review process should adhere to principles of objectivity, ensuring that feedback is expressed clearly and supported by well-reasoned arguments. This constructive approach allows authors to utilize the feedback to improve the quality of their articles effectively.

Personal criticism of the author is deemed unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of peer review. Reviewers are expected to focus on the content and quality of the manuscript rather than making personal judgments about the authors themselves. This commitment to fairness and professionalism is essential for fostering a respectful and constructive dialogue between reviewers and authors, ultimately enhancing the scholarly publishing process.

Qualification of Reviewers

If a selected reviewer believes they are inadequately equipped to assess the research presented in a submission or anticipates being unable to conduct a timely review, they are expected to inform the editor and withdraw from the review process. This proactive communication helps maintain the integrity and efficiency of the peer review system. Additionally, it is imperative that reviewers refrain from evaluating manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest. This includes any competing interests, collaborative relationships, or other affiliations with the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the respective articles. By avoiding conflicts of interest, reviewers can ensure that their evaluations remain objective and fair, thereby upholding the standards of scholarly integrity in the review process.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted for evaluation must be treated as confidential materials. It is imperative to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information or ideas obtained through the peer review process, and reviewers, editors, and involved parties must refrain from using this information for personal gain. Upholding confidentiality is essential to protect authors' intellectual property and to maintain the integrity of the scholarly publishing process. This commitment to confidentiality fosters trust among authors, reviewers, and editors, ensuring an ethical and respectful review environment.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers have the important responsibility of identifying relevant scholarly literature that may have been omitted by the authors in their manuscript. Providing appropriate citations when referencing concepts or ideas from other individuals is essential to uphold academic integrity and give proper credit.

Furthermore, it is crucial for reviewers to notify the editor of any significant resemblance or duplication between the manuscript being evaluated and any other previously published work that they are aware of. This vigilance helps to prevent issues of plagiarism and ensures that the publication process maintains high ethical standards. Together, these practices contribute to a thorough and responsible review process, ultimately enhancing the quality and credibility of the scholarly work.

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Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

It is expected of research report writers to accurately describe the work that was done and to objectively assess its significance. Making sure the piece accurately depicts the underlying data is crucial. It is anticipated that authors will be willing to make unprocessed data related to a scientific paper publicly available and will preserve such data for at least two years after publication. Making false or intentionally misleading claims is regarded as unethical and is classified as undesirable behavior.

Originality, Plagiarism, and Concurrent Publication

It is essential that authors ensure that their work is entirely unique and that they have properly attributed any terms or works that they have borrowed. Plagiarism in all its forms is considered reprehensible and is a form of unethical behavior in the publishing industry. Multiple submissions of the same manuscript to different journals at the same time is unethical and unprofessional in the publishing industry.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Any financial or substantive conflicts of interest should be fully disclosed by authors in their publication since they may affect the results or interpretation of their contributions. Each and every source of funding for the project must be disclosed.

Authorship of the Paper

The corresponding author is in charge of making sure that all eligible co-authors are included in the manuscript and that any that are not are left out. The corresponding author is also responsible for making sure that all co-authors have read the final draft of the work, approved it, and consented to its publication. Those who have contributed significantly must be recognized and listed as co-authors in order to be included. Contributions from those who have actively engaged in some significant aspects of the research project must be acknowledged or included.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works

It is the responsibility of the author to promptly inform the journal editor of any substantial errors or inaccuracies in the published work and to collaborate with the editor to retract or rectify the manuscript.

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Peer Review Process

An editorial review is the first step in the process. In order to ascertain whether the paper aligns with our particular focus and scope and to identify any notable methodological shortcomings, the evaluation will be conducted within the office. A minimum of two anonymous reviewers will assess the paper as part of the Single Blind Review procedure. The reviewers' comments are then sent to the manuscript's author, who is expected to respond appropriately and take the necessary steps. An editorial board meeting will be held to assess the suggested option. The author, who is in charge of the related submission, will thereafter receive the final decision from the editor.

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Plagiarism

The magazine has a strict anti-plagiarism policy, which states explicitly that using someone else's ideas, words, or work without giving due credit is unacceptable. Submissions that contain self-plagiarism in the same or a different language, duplicate and repetitive publications, or plagiarism in whole or in part will not be accepted. There will be no perception of the Preprint repository as a duplicate publication. The primary author is permitted to act on behalf of all co-authors and takes ownership of the work during the review and publication phases. All submitted manuscripts are examined using professional plagiarism-checking tools. Plagiarism-related manuscripts with an unacceptable similarity index are immediately rejected.

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Preprints Policy

Preprints can be shared by authors at any time and from any location. We encourage writers to use the preprint's Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to connect to their official article if it is accepted for publication. With their accepted manuscript, authors can update their preprints on arXiv, RePEc, etc.

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Protection of Patients' Rights to Privacy

Generally speaking, unless it is required for scientific reasons and the patient (or their parent or guardian, if applicable) has given their informed consent for publication, identifying information such as textual descriptions, images, sonograms, CT scans, and pedigrees should not be published. It is advised that authors do not include patient names in figures unless they have obtained the patients' express informed consent. It is the duty of authors, not journals or publishers, to obtain patient consent forms before publishing and to properly preserve these forms in order to maintain ethical publication practices. It is not appropriate to send the consent forms to the editorial or publishing offices via email or include them in the cover letter. A statement confirming that informed consent was acquired from the patient must be included in the work if the manuscript contains patient images that make anonymity impossible or a description that makes the patient's identity obvious.

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Research ethics and consent

Studies in Humans, Animals, and Plants

All research publications including investigations involving biological materials, animals, plants, human subjects, or protected or non-public databases, collections, or places must include a written statement inside an Ethics Approval section in order to comply with ethical standards. The following components ought to be included in this statement:

  • We ask for the names of the institutional review board or ethics committee(s) involved in the study.
  • The code or identification number linked to the ethics approval or approvals.

By guaranteeing that human subjects have given their informed consent before participating in the study, the research complies with ethical standards. Ethics governing the welfare and care of animals must be followed when conducting research on them. All research publications that use animals must meet institutional, national, and international standards for the humane and ethical treatment of animals.

Obtain endorsement from the ethics review committee affiliated with the institution or establishment where the research was carried out, and furnish comprehensive information regarding the approval procedure, identities of the ethics committee(s) or institutional review board(s) involved, and the corresponding ethics approval number or identification in the Ethics Approval section.

Offer a rationale for the utilization of animals and the specific species chosen. This report aims to present comprehensive details regarding housing, feeding, and environmental enrichment practices, as well as the measures implemented to mitigate suffering. Please include information regarding the mode of anesthetic and euthanasia.

Any research that fails to comply with the specified criteria on ethical approval and animal care will be declined.

Research Involving Humans

When the research involves human subjects, the author must ensure that the study has been carried out in accordance with the ethical standards set forth in The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) concerning human experimentation. The Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals should be followed by the paper. As recommended by the above principles, it should also aim to include varied human populations that are representative in terms of age, sex, and ethnicity. The terms "sex" and "gender" must be used appropriately.

All protocols have to be approved by the author's institutional ethics committee or another relevant ethics commission (such as an Institutional Review Board, or IRB) to ensure adherence to national and international standards. When an article is submitted, certain information about the approval procedure must be included, including the name of the institution, the designation of the review board, and the appropriate authorization number or numbers. Ethics approval must be obtained before the study is carried out because it is usually impossible to obtain it after the fact, which could make it more difficult to publish the results.

It is essential that writers include a statement in the publication confirming that informed consent was obtained before using human participants in investigations. Maintaining privacy must be a constant priority.

Research Involving Animals

When research involves human subjects, the author must ensure that the study has been carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association's Code of Ethics (described in the Declaration of Helsinki) for research involving humans. The requirements for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals should be followed by the paper. According to the previously mentioned standards, it should also aim to include a variety of human populations, such as people of various sexes, ages, and nationalities. The terms "sex" and "gender" must be used appropriately.

All protocols used in the study must have been approved by the authors' institutional or other relevant ethical committee, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB), in order to ensure conformity with national and international standards. When an article is submitted, certain information about the approval procedure must be included, including the institution's name, the designation of the review board, and the authorization number(s). Obtaining ethics permission is essential before starting the study project. Most of the time, it is not possible to get retrospective approval, which could make it more difficult to publish the study results.

It is imperative for authors to incorporate a declaration inside the publication affirming that informed permission was gained prior to conducting experiments involving human subjects. It is imperative to consistently uphold the privacy rights of human subjects.

All animal experiments must follow the ARRIVE guidelines and be carried out in compliance with the National Research Council's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments, and the U.K. Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, 1986 and its related guidelines. Furthermore, writers must clearly indicate in their article that they have complied with these rules. It is essential to identify the gender of the animals being studied and, if applicable, to note how gender affects or correlates with study results.

Vertebrate or regulated invertebrate experiments must adhere to the ethical standards set by the authors' organization as well as any relevant national or international laws. A statement confirming the issuance of ethics authorization or animal licensing must be included where relevant. In each case, it is necessary to state that all possible steps were taken to alleviate the suffering of the animals, and to provide a detailed description of the methods used to achieve this.

Research Involving Plants

Guidelines set by the authors' institution and any applicable national or international regulations should be followed when doing research on plants. It is advisable to include a declaration outlining the rights provided or licenses obtained when appropriate. Authors must follow the rules established by the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Special Issues

The Journal of Legal Studies is issued by the College of Law; the editorial team chooses the subjects for Special Issues. Submissions for special issues adhere to the same author criteria and procedure as regular issue submissions. It is advised that prospective authors read over all submission requirements and adhere to the specified procedure. The editorial team chooses the topics for special issues, and the current year's special issue release usually includes a call for submissions.

Appointment of Guest Editors

Special issue guest editors are chosen based on their qualifications, standing in academia, and prior editorial experience. The journal's editorial board, current editors, or self-nomination are all options for potential guest editors. The journal's editorial board reviews and the editor-in-chief approves nominations. Guest editors are in charge of establishing the parameters of the special issue, creating the call for papers, tracking manuscript submissions, supervising the peer review procedure, guaranteeing originality and quality, and ultimately deciding whether to accept a manuscript after consulting with the editor-in-chief.

Setup of Special Issues

A thorough proposal that includes the theme, goals, target audience, possible guest editors, and a timeframe is required in order to launch a special issue. The Editor-in-Chief and the journal's editorial board examine and accept the proposal. Following approval, a call for papers is publicized and advertised via a number of platforms. To make sure the special issue coincides with the journal's regular publishing schedule, a precise deadline for paper submission, peer review, and publication is set.

Editorial and Review Process

The Guest Editors first review manuscripts for special issues to make sure they match the journal's scope and adhere to fundamental quality requirements. Submissions are made online. After that, the manuscripts go through a double-blind peer review procedure, where reviewers are chosen according to their level of experience. Authors edit their work in accordance with the review process and publication timing.

Submissions to The Journal of Legal Studies are issued by the College of Law are accepted on an ongoing basis and should follow the requested submission types and adhere to the full author guidelines outlined here. The Journal of Legal Studies is issued by the College of Law publishes 2 times annually with general issues in June and December. Submissions are considered for publication in a pending issue once deemed ready for publication, not necessarily based on date of submission. All issues of The Journal of Legal Studies, including the special issues, follow the same editorial and review process and adhere to the guidelines included here. We encourage and welcome your submission.

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Standards of reporting

We urge writers to give thorough explanations of their study justification, protocol, methodology, and analysis because research should be presented in a form that facilitates verification and reproducibility.

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Use of third-party material

In order to use third-party content in your academic work, you must obtain the necessary authorization. Text, drawings, photos, tables, data, audio recordings, video footage, film stills, screenshots, and musical notation are just a few examples of the types of materials that fall under this category. Brief passages of text and other types of information may be used, subject to certain limitations, for the purposes of criticism and assessment without requiring official permission. If you plan to include any content in your work that is not covered by your copyright and is not covered by this informal agreement, you must obtain written permission from the copyright holder before submitting this content.

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Use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in writing

Please note the policy only refers to the writing process, and not to the use of AI tools to analyze and draw insights from data as part of the research process. Instead of replacing crucial authoring tasks like producing scientific, pedagogic, or medical insights, drawing scientific conclusions, or making clinical recommendations, authors who integrate AI and AI-assisted technologies into their writing process should do so with the goal of improving readability and language. All work should be carefully reviewed and edited, and the use of this technology should always be supervised and controlled by humans. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to generate content that appears authoritative but could be biased, inaccurate, or incomplete. In the end, writers are in charge of and accountable for the material they create. A statement to this effect will be included in the published work. Authors are required to fully declare in their articles how they employ AI and AI-assisted technologies. This kind of openness guarantees adherence to the conditions of use for the pertinent tools or technologies and promotes trust among authors, readers, reviewers, editors, and contributors. AI should not be listed as a co-author or given authorship by authors. Being an author involves duties and obligations that are only possible for people to do. Each author is in charge of responding to questions about the integrity or correctness of any portion of the work, as well as approving the completed version and giving their approval for submission. It is also the authors' responsibility to guarantee the work's uniqueness.

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Use of AI in peer review

The changing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in many facets of scholarly publishing is acknowledged by our journal. Nonetheless, we believe that the duties associated with evaluating a scientific study call for human judgment, evaluation, and critical thinking. Therefore, the following policy governs the usage of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies during the peer-review process:

  • Human Responsibility: Generative AI systems cannot match the critical thinking and nuanced evaluation required by the peer-review process. Therefore, only human reviewers and editors are responsible for reviewing scientific manuscripts.
  • Confidentiality: The manuscript or any portion of it cannot be uploaded by reviewers or editors to a generative AI tool. Unauthorized access, storage, or misuse of the manuscript's content may result from these tools' inability to ensure the contents' privacy, security, or confidentiality. The terms of use of the AI tool as well as the authors' confidentiality, proprietary, and data privacy rights may be violated by such actions.
  • Peer Review Report: The peer review report and all associated correspondence, such as notification or decision letters, are subject to the secrecy obligation. It is not advisable to upload these documents to a generative AI tool for any reason, including readability or language improvement, as they may contain sensitive information about the authors and the text.
  • AI in Decision-Making: It is not appropriate to use generative AI to help with article review, appraisal, or decision-making. Qualified human reviewers and editors must make the final decision about the quality, validity, and impact of a submitted work.
  • Ethical AI Use: As long as AI tools follow ethical guidelines, our publication welcomes their use to assist with the editorial process. These tools can be used for preliminary screening procedures including finding possible reviewers, checking for plagiarism, and verifying completeness. These AI tools need to adhere to identity-protected technologies and respect each party's right to data privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary rights.

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