Publication Ethics

The International Journal of Cyber Threats and Protection upholds the highest standards of publication ethics to ensure the integrity, quality, and credibility of the research published in the journal. Our publication ethics are in line with best practices in academic publishing and are guided by the principles outlined by international organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Ethical Guidelines for Authors

  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original and not plagiarized. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. Authors should properly attribute all sources of information, including ideas, quotations, and data, to their original sources.

  • Data Integrity: Authors must ensure that the data presented in their manuscripts is accurate and reliable. Any manipulation or falsification of data is considered unethical. Authors are encouraged to provide access to raw data if requested by the journal or reviewers for verification purposes.

  • Acknowledging Sources: Authors must appropriately acknowledge all sources of funding and disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may have influenced their research. All individuals or organizations that contributed to the research or manuscript preparation should be properly credited.

  • Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical. Authors must ensure that their manuscript is not under review elsewhere before submitting to International Journal of Cyber Threats and Protection.

  • Redundant Publication: Authors should not submit manuscripts that overlap significantly with their previous publications unless there is a substantial new contribution. All previous publications must be cited appropriately.

2. Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not disclose, discuss, or use any part of the manuscript for personal or professional gain before it is published.

  • Objectivity: Reviews should be based on the scientific merit of the manuscript. Reviewers are expected to provide objective, unbiased, and constructive feedback. Personal bias, discrimination, or conflicts of interest should not influence the review process.

  • Acknowledging Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest (e.g., personal, professional, or financial ties) with the manuscript or its authors. If a conflict of interest exists, reviewers should decline to review the manuscript.

  • Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete the review within the agreed time frame. If they are unable to meet the deadline, they should inform the Editorial Board in advance.

3. Ethical Guidelines for Editors

  • Impartiality: Editors should make editorial decisions based on the scientific quality of the manuscript and its relevance to the journal’s scope. Editors should not allow personal relationships, conflicts of interest, or professional bias to influence their decisions.

  • Confidentiality: Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential. Manuscripts should not be disclosed or discussed with unauthorized individuals before publication.

  • Timeliness: Editors must ensure that the review and publication process is completed in a timely manner, keeping authors informed of the progress of their submissions.

  • Fairness: Editors are responsible for ensuring that all authors are treated fairly and equitably throughout the publication process. They must ensure that there is no discrimination based on race, gender, religious belief, or professional affiliation.

4. Ethical Guidelines for the Publisher

  • Transparency: The publisher must ensure transparency in the editorial and publication processes, including any financial arrangements, conflicts of interest, and policies on peer review.

  • Handling Misconduct: If there are allegations of research or publication misconduct, the publisher will take appropriate steps in line with COPE guidelines. This may include investigating potential issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or duplicate publication.

  • Corrections and Retractions: If errors or misconduct are identified after publication, the publisher will work with the Editorial Board to issue corrections, retractions, or clarifications as needed to ensure the integrity of the published content.

5. Ethical Guidelines for Publishers and Authors Regarding Open Access

  • Open Access Policy: The International Journal of Cyber Threats and Protection operates under a fully open-access publishing model, making articles freely accessible to readers worldwide. Authors retain copyright of their work but grant the journal a license to publish.

  • Publication Fees: Authors are informed of the Article Processing Charges (APC) before submission. Any fees must be paid transparently, and authors must ensure that they have the necessary funds or support to cover these charges.

  • Access to Data: Authors are encouraged to provide access to raw data and supplementary materials that support their findings. The journal encourages transparency in research and ensures that data and methods are clearly presented in the published work.

6. Addressing Allegations of Misconduct

The International Journal of Cyber Threats and Protection adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for handling ethical issues and allegations of misconduct. This includes:

  • Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism: Allegations of plagiarism will be thoroughly investigated. If a manuscript is found to contain plagiarized material, it will be rejected, and the authors may be barred from submitting future manuscripts.

  • Data Falsification or Fabrication: Any instances of data falsification or fabrication will lead to immediate rejection of the manuscript. The authors may be asked to provide supporting evidence, and the issue may be reported to the authors' institution.

  • Duplicate Publication: If it is found that a manuscript has been submitted to multiple journals concurrently, or if previously published material is re-submitted without proper citation, the manuscript will be rejected.

  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or professional relationships, that could influence their work. Failure to disclose such conflicts may lead to the rejection of the manuscript.

7. Ongoing Commitment to Ethical Standards

The International Journal of Cyber Threats and Protection is committed to ensuring the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its publishing process. The Editorial Board regularly reviews and updates its ethical guidelines in accordance with evolving standards of academic publishing. We encourage authors, reviewers, and editors to report any ethical concerns or violations to the Editorial Board to ensure that the integrity of the publication process is maintained.