Journal Policies

Journal of the Best Available Evidence in Medicine's editorial policies covering peer review, publication ethics, authorship, conflicts of interest, and article processing charges.

1. General Principles

  • JBAEM is an international, peer-reviewed, open access medical journal, fully open access since 2025.
  • The journal follows:
    • COPE Core Practices and flowcharts for handling ethical issues.
    • ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
    • Appropriate reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE, ARRIVE, etc.).
  • All editors, reviewers, authors, and readers are expected to uphold these standards.
  • Where institutional, national, or international regulations are stricter than these policies, those stricter standards prevail.

2. Editorial & Peer Review Policy

2.1. Overview

  • JBAEM applies rigorous peer review to all original research, reviews, case reports, and other scholarly content.
  • Editorial decisions are based on:
    • Scientific quality
    • Ethical soundness
    • Methodological robustness
    • Relevance to the journal's scope and readership

2.2. Peer Review Model and Workflow

Peer-review model:

JBAEM generally uses double-blind peer review, in which:

  • Reviewers do not know the authors' identities.
  • Authors do not know the reviewers' identities.

Number of reviewers:

  • Typically at least two independent expert reviewers are invited per manuscript.
  • Additional reviewers or statistical reviewers may be invited when needed.

Standard workflow:

  1. 1. Initial editorial screening

    The Editor-in-Chief or an assigned editor screens all submissions for:

    • Fit with the scope of the journal
    • Basic scientific quality and clarity
    • Compliance with ethical and reporting requirements
    • Completeness of required declarations and forms
    • Plagiarism or duplicate submission

    Manuscripts may be desk-rejected at this stage if clearly unsuitable.

  2. 2. Technical checks

    • Verification of metadata, required declarations, and formatting.
    • Plagiarism and AI-generated content screening using PlagiarismCheck.org.
    • Verification of clinical trial registration (where applicable).

  3. 3. External peer review

    • Suitable manuscripts are sent to external expert reviewers.
    • Reviewers are selected based on expertise, track record, and absence of conflicts of interest.
    • Reviewers are asked to assess: Originality and importance, Methodological rigor, Clarity and completeness of reporting, Ethical conduct and data integrity as well as relevance to JBAEM's readership.

  4. 4. Decision and revisions

    Based on reviewers' reports and their own assessment, editors may:

    • Accept the manuscript
    • Request minor or major revisions
    • Invite resubmission as a new manuscript
    • Reject the manuscript

    For revised manuscripts, editors may make a decision based on authors' responses or seek further peer review as needed.

  5. 5. Final acceptance and production

    • Once accepted, manuscripts move into copyediting, typesetting, and proof production.
    • Authors are given an opportunity to review and correct proofs before publication.

Conflicting reviews:

When reviews are strongly divergent, the editor may seek an additional independent review, and/or make a decision balancing the arguments and evidence provided.

Timelines:

JBAEM aims to provide timely decisions while maintaining rigorous review. The average time between submission and final acceptance or rejection rarely exceed 12 weeks. Target timelines for initial decisions and revisions are communicated on the journal website and may vary by article type.

Confidentiality:

All manuscripts under review are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers and editors must not share or use unpublished data.

2.3. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors must:

  • Ensure fair and unbiased review.
  • Base decisions solely on importance, originality, and scientific integrity.
  • Maintain confidentiality of submissions.
  • Declare and appropriately manage conflicts of interest.
  • Correct the scholarly record when necessary (e.g., through corrections, clarifications, retractions).
  • Treat all authors, reviewers, and complainants respectfully and fairly.

2.4. Peer Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscripts and related correspondence.
  • Provide objective, evidence-based, and constructive critique.
  • Identify relevant published work that has not been cited.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that may bias their review.
  • Refrain from using unpublished material in a submitted manuscript for personal advantage.

2.5. Appeals of Editorial Decisions

Authors may appeal editorial decisions under specific circumstances.

Who may appeal:

The corresponding author, on behalf of all co-authors, may submit an appeal.

What decisions may be appealed:

  • Decisions made after external peer review (e.g., reject after review).
  • Desk rejections are generally not subject to appeal unless clear errors are identified.

Time limit:

Appeals must usually be submitted within 1 month of the decision notification.

Content of an appeal:

A clear, detailed letter explaining:

  • Why the authors believe the decision should be reconsidered.
  • Specific points of disagreement with reviewers or editors.
  • Supporting evidence (e.g., additional analyses, clarifications, or corrections).

Grounds that do not justify an appeal:

  • Mere disagreement with the journal's assessment of novelty, interest, or scope.
  • Requests to override reviewers' or editors' scientific judgment without new substantive evidence.

Process:

  • Appeals are handled by an editor who was not primarily responsible for the original decision, where possible.
  • Additional expert advice may be sought.
  • The outcome may be: Upholding the original decision, or Reconsidering the manuscript (with or without further peer review).

Limits:

  • Only one appeal per manuscript is permitted.
  • Reconsideration of a manuscript does not guarantee eventual acceptance.

2.6. Use of AI in Editorial Processes

JBAEM may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with editorial processes without manipulating the scientific contents. These tools are used to enhance efficiency and quality while maintaining human oversight of all decisions.

AI-Assisted Processes:

  • Plagiarism Detection: All submitted manuscripts are screened using PlagiarismCheck.org to identify potential textual overlap with existing publications and unpublished works.
  • AI-Generated Content Detection: JBAEM uses PlagiarismCheck.org to detect AI-generated text in submitted manuscripts. This helps ensure the authenticity and integrity of scholarly work by identifying content that may have been produced by large language models or other AI writing tools.
  • Image and Figure Screening: AI tools may be used to detect potential image manipulation, duplication, or deepfake content in submitted figures.
  • Reviewer Matching: AI may assist in identifying suitable reviewers based on expertise and availability.
  • Language and Quality Checks: AI tools may be used to assist with language editing and manuscript quality assessment.

Human Oversight:

  • All AI-generated outputs are reviewed by human editors before any action is taken.
  • Final decisions on manuscript acceptance, rejection, or revision are made by human editors.
  • AI tools do not have access to confidential reviewer identities or comments.

Transparency:

Authors will be informed if AI tools identify concerns that require their attention. The journal is committed to transparency about its use of AI in editorial processes.

3. Ethics & Research Integrity

3.1. Ethical Standards and COPE Compliance

  • JBAEM is committed to the highest standards of publication ethics and research integrity.
  • The journal adheres to:
    • COPE Core Practices and flowcharts for handling ethical issues.
    • ICMJE recommendations regarding authorship, conflicts of interest, clinical trial registration, and data reporting.
  • All authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to:
    • Avoid plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and other forms of misconduct.
    • Cooperate with investigations of alleged ethical breaches.
    • Support transparent, reproducible research.

3.2. Authorship and Contributorship

To qualify as an author, individuals must meet all four ICMJE criteria:

  1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
  2. Drafting the work or critically revising it for important intellectual content.
  3. Final approval of the version to be published.
  4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part are appropriately investigated and resolved.
  • Those who meet all four criteria should be listed as authors.
  • Contributions should be described using a CRediT-like contributorship taxonomy (e.g., conceptualization, methodology, data curation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing, supervision).
  • Guest, ghost, or purchased authorship is strictly prohibited.
  • Individuals who contributed significantly but do not meet all authorship criteria should be acknowledged (with their permission) rather than listed as authors.

3.3. Authorship Changes and Disputes

  • Changes in authorship (addition, removal, or re-ordering of authors) after submission or acceptance are handled carefully:
    • Requests must be made in writing by the corresponding author.
    • The request must include the reason for the change and written confirmation from all authors (including any being added or removed) that they agree to the change.
  • The editorial office may request additional documentation or verification.
  • The journal does not adjudicate complex authorship disputes; in such cases, the matter may be referred to the authors' institutions or other appropriate bodies.
  • Authorship changes after publication may require publication of a correction.

3.4. Conflicts of Interest

  • All authors must submit a complete conflict of interest (COI) declaration at the time of submission and update it if relevant circumstances change.
  • COIs may include:
    • Financial relationships (employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony).
    • Personal, academic, political, or institutional relationships.
    • Any condition that could be perceived to influence the work.
  • Editors and reviewers must:
    • Declare any potential conflicts related to a manuscript (e.g., prior co-authorship with the authors, shared grants, institutional ties).
    • Decline handling or reviewing a manuscript where there is a significant COI.
  • Relevant conflicts are disclosed in the published article under a dedicated COI statement.

3.5. Research Misconduct and Complaints

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication or falsification of data, images, or results.
  • Plagiarism and misappropriation of others' ideas or work.
  • Manipulation of peer review or editorial processes.
  • Sale of authorship or improper attribution of authorship.
  • Failure to obtain required ethical approvals or consent.

Raising concerns:

  • Concerns about possible misconduct may be raised by readers, reviewers, readers, institutions, or others.
  • Complaints should be submitted to the editorial office with as much supporting information as possible.

Handling allegations:

  • The editors will conduct a preliminary assessment. If evidence of misconduct appears credible, the editors may contact the authors and/or their institutions.
  • COPE flowcharts and guidance are followed when investigating and resolving cases.
  • The journal may request original data, images, or documentation; initiate corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions; inform relevant institutions, funders, or regulatory bodies.

Complainants will be treated fairly and confidentially, to the extent possible.

3.6. Plagiarism and Text Recycling

Plagiarism & AI Detection Service

JBAEM uses PlagiarismCheck.org as its official plagiarism and AI content detection service. All submitted manuscripts are automatically screened for:

  • Plagiarism: Textual similarity with published and unpublished works, including proper citation verification.
  • AI-Generated Content: Detection of text that may have been produced by large language models (LLMs) or other AI writing tools, ensuring the authenticity of scholarly work.
  • All submissions are expected to be original and properly referenced.
  • Unacceptable practices include:
    • Copying text, data, or images from other sources without proper citation.
    • Submitting work that substantially overlaps with previously published work (including the author's own) without disclosure and without appropriate referencing.
    • Duplicate submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals at the same time.
  • Text recycling/self-plagiarism:
    • Limited reuse of text (e.g., in methods sections) may be acceptable if it is appropriately cited and does not mislead readers.
    • Substantial reuse of previously published work without clear citation or without justification is not acceptable.
  • Detected plagiarism may lead to:
    • Rejection of the manuscript.
    • Retraction of a published article.
    • Notification of authors' institutions or funders.

3.7. Data Sharing and Data Availability

3.7.1. General Data Availability
  • JBAEM strongly supports transparency and reproducibility of research.
  • All research articles must include a Data Availability Statement that explains:
    • Where the data supporting the findings can be found (with persistent identifiers if applicable), or
    • That data are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author, or
    • That data cannot be shared due to legal, ethical, or privacy restrictions (with a brief explanation).
  • Authors are encouraged to:
    • Deposit datasets in reputable subject-specific or general repositories.
    • Provide clear documentation, code, and metadata to facilitate reuse.
3.7.2. Data Sharing for Clinical Trials

For clinical trials and similar interventional studies:

  • Authors are encouraged to make de-identified individual participant data (IPD) and related documentation (study protocol, statistical analysis plan, etc.) accessible where feasible and ethically permissible.
  • A data-sharing statement should specify:
    • What data will be shared.
    • When and for how long data will be available.
    • Under what conditions data may be accessed (e.g., data-use agreements).

3.8. Clinical Trial Registration

  • All clinical trials must be registered in a WHO–ICTRP-approved registry prior to enrollment of the first participant (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov or equivalent).
  • The trial registration number must be included in:
    • The methods section of the manuscript.
    • The abstract, where appropriate.
  • Manuscripts reporting unregistered or retrospectively registered trials may be:
    • Rejected, or
    • Considered only with a clear explanation and at the editor's discretion.

3.9. Duplicate / Overlapping Publication and Preprints

  • Redundant publication (publishing substantially the same data or article in more than one journal without full cross-reference and justification) is not allowed.
  • Overlapping publication includes:
    • Republishing data without disclosure.
    • Segmenting ("salami slicing") data into multiple overlapping publications without clear scientific justification.
  • Authors must disclose:
    • Any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere.
    • Previous postings of the work as a preprint.
3.9.1. Preprint Policy
  • JBAEM allows submission of manuscripts that have been previously posted as preprints on recognized, non-commercial preprint servers.
  • Preprints:
    • Should be clearly cited in the manuscript (with DOI or stable identifier).
    • Do not constitute prior publication.
  • After acceptance, authors should update the preprint record to include the citation and DOI of the published article.
  • Authors must ensure that the version submitted to JBAEM is consistent with the preprint or transparently describes substantive changes.

3.10. Reporting Guidelines

Authors must follow accepted reporting standards appropriate to their study design, for example:

  • CONSORT – randomized controlled trials
  • STROBE – observational studies
  • PRISMA – systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • CARE – case reports
  • ARRIVE – animal research

Where applicable, authors should submit completed checklists and flow diagrams as supplementary files.

3.11. Human Subjects, Ethical Approval, and Consent

3.11.1. Ethical Approval
  • For any research involving human participants, authors must provide:
    • Name of the ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB).
    • Approval number/reference where available.
    • Confirmation that the study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant local regulations.
  • If an ethics committee determines that formal approval is not required, authors must provide a statement from the committee or explain why ethical approval was not needed.
3.11.2. Informed Consent
  • Authors must ensure that participants (or their legal representatives) have provided an informed consent for participation and, where relevant, for publication.
  • Manuscripts should include a clear ethical statement confirming:
    • That informed consent was obtained.
    • The nature of the consent (e.g., written, verbal) and any special procedures for vulnerable populations.
3.11.3. Patient Consent for Case Reports and Identifiable Information
  • For case reports, clinical images, or any content where individuals may be identifiable:
    • Written, explicit, and fully informed patient consent for publication is required.
    • The consent form should cover: the nature and purpose of publication; the types of information and images to be shared; the potential for wide dissemination and future use.
  • Even when direct identifiers are removed, there remains a risk of re-identification; consent is usually still required.
  • For deceased individuals, consent should be obtained from a legal representative where possible.
3.11.4. Handling Consent Documents and Privacy
  • Authors must retain original signed consent forms securely, in accordance with legal and institutional requirements.
  • Authors must provide a blank template or anonymized example of the consent form to the journal on request.
  • The journal generally does not store or publish signed consent forms to protect privacy and comply with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR).
  • Editors may request evidence that appropriate consent has been obtained, but will avoid unnecessary collection of sensitive personal data.
3.11.5. Vulnerable Patients and Special Considerations
  • Additional protections are required for:
    • Children and adolescents.
    • Adults lacking capacity to consent.
    • Other vulnerable groups (e.g., refugees, prisoners, marginalized communities).
  • Manuscripts must describe:
    • How consent or assent was obtained.
    • How vulnerability and potential coercion were addressed.
  • When authors cannot contact a patient or representative (e.g., in some historical or emergency contexts), ethical publication may still be possible, but only following ethics committee approval, after rigorous de-identification, and at the editor's discretion.

3.12. Education and Transparency

  • The journal promotes ethical awareness by aligning with COPE and ICMJE recommendations.
  • Providing resources and links to guidelines for authors and reviewers.
  • Regularly reviewing and updating policies as best practices evolve.

3.13. Use of AI in Submitted Manuscripts (Author Use)

The journal maintains strict standards regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scholarly work.

3.13.1. AI-generated or AI-fabricated Data Are Strictly Prohibited
  • JBAEM does not allow submission of any article that includes:
    • AI-generated or AI-fabricated data, results, images, statistics, or research participants.
    • AI-generated citations or references that are not verifiable.
  • Any use of AI tools that creates, manipulates, or fabricates research data or analyses constitutes a serious breach of research integrity and may result in:
    • Rejection of the manuscript.
    • Retraction of a published article.
    • Notification of institutions or funders.
3.13.2. Allowed Author Use of AI (Text-Level Only)

Authors may use AI tools only for:

  • Language editing and grammar improvement.
  • Stylistic refinement and clarity of expression.
  • Translation support.

Conditions:

  • Authors remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and integrity of the manuscript.
  • Use of AI tools must be transparently declared in the manuscript (e.g., in the Methods or Acknowledgments), specifying the tool(s) used and the purpose and scope of use.
3.13.3. Use of AI in Research About AI Systems
  • For research that evaluates or develops AI systems (e.g., diagnostic algorithms, predictive models), AI may be integral to the study.
  • Authors must:
    • Clearly describe the AI methods and tools used.
    • Provide sufficient detail and, where possible, code or model availability to enable reproducibility.
    • Avoid presenting AI outputs as if they were human-derived data.
3.13.4. Prohibited Author Use of AI

Authors may not use AI tools for:

  • Generating or modifying actual research data, results, images, or analyses as if they were empirically obtained.
  • Fabricating or altering citations and references.
  • Drafting entire manuscripts or substantial sections in a way that obscures accountability for the work.

4. Copyright, Licensing, and Open Access

4.1. Copyright Ownership

  • By submitting a manuscript, authors grant the journal (and its publisher) a non-exclusive license to:
    • Publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the work in all forms and media now known or developed in the future.
    • Prepare derivative works such as translations and adaptations in any language for the full term of copyright.

4.2. License for Reuse (CC BY-NC)

  • Since 2025, all published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) license, ensuring immediate and permanent open access.
  • Under this license:
    • Others may copy, distribute, and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes.
    • Users must give appropriate credit to the original authors and the journal, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
    • No additional legal or technological restrictions may be imposed by users beyond those in the license.

4.3. Authors' Rights Under CC BY-NC

Authors may:

  • Use their article in whole or in part in future works (e.g., books, theses, lectures, presentations).
  • Deposit the published Version of Record in non-commercial repositories or personal/institutional websites, provided proper citation of the journal and article, inclusion of the DOI and a link to the journal's website.
  • Use figures, tables, and excerpts in teaching, conference presentations, and professional materials.

4.4. Third-Party Content and Commercial Permissions

  • Authors are responsible for ensuring that any third-party material (e.g., images, tables, figures) included in the manuscript either falls under a compatible license, or has been used with express permission from the copyright holder.
  • Requests for commercial reuse of JBAEM content (beyond CC BY-NC) should be directed to the author or editorial office.

4.5. Self-Archiving, Repositories, and Preprints

  • Authors may:
    • Post preprints of their manuscript on recognized preprint servers before or during submission.
    • Archive preprint versions, Accepted manuscripts (Author Accepted Manuscript, AAM), and Published Versions of Record (VoR) in non-commercial institutional or subject repositories.
  • Conditions:
    • The version archived should be clearly labeled (preprint, AAM, or VoR).
    • Once published, authors should update preprint and repository records with the citation of the final article, the DOI and link to the journal's website.

4.6. Moral Rights

  • Authors retain their moral rights, including:
    • The right to be properly credited.
    • The right to object to derogatory treatment of their work.
  • Users must not remove or alter author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, or copyright notices post-publication.

4.7. Infringement and Enforcement (Reuse of Published Content)

  • The journal and publisher take plagiarism, copyright infringement, and misuse of published content seriously.
  • Misuse of content beyond the scope of CC BY-NC (e.g., unauthorized commercial use) may lead to takedown requests and legal or administrative action where appropriate.

4.8. Licensing Changes, Exceptions, and Special Cases

  • The publisher reserves the right to update or change licensing policies.
  • Any changes affecting authors' rights or reuse of content will be applied prospectively, not retroactively, and be clearly communicated on the journal's website.
  • In certain cases (e.g., specific third-party content in an article), different licensing terms may apply and will be clearly indicated in the article.

5. Corrections, Retractions, and Post-Publication Issues

5.1. Corrections (Errata)

  • If an error is identified after publication that does not affect the scientific validity or conclusions of the work, a correction notice (erratum) will be published.
  • The correction will be linked to the original article and will clearly describe the nature of the error and the corrected information.
  • The original article will be updated or annotated to indicate that a correction has been issued.

5.2. Expressions of Concern

  • An expression of concern may be published when:
    • There is inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct.
    • An investigation is ongoing and a final decision has not yet been reached.
    • There are concerns about the reliability of the findings that warrant alerting readers.
  • The expression of concern will be linked to the original article and will explain the nature of the concern.
  • If the investigation concludes, the expression of concern may be replaced by a correction, retraction, or removal of the notice.

5.3. Retractions

  • A retraction will be issued when:
    • There is clear evidence of misconduct (e.g., fabrication, falsification, plagiarism).
    • The findings are unreliable due to major errors or flawed methodology.
    • The work has been published elsewhere without proper disclosure (redundant publication).
    • Ethical violations are confirmed (e.g., lack of required approvals or consent).
  • Retractions follow COPE guidelines and will clearly state the reason(s) for retraction and who initiated it.
  • The retracted article will remain accessible online, clearly marked as retracted, and linked to the retraction notice.

5.4. Removal of Articles

  • In rare cases, an article may be removed from the journal's website if:
    • The content is defamatory, infringes legal rights, or poses a serious risk to public health or safety.
    • A court order or legal requirement mandates removal.
  • If an article is removed, a notice will be published explaining the reason, and the article's metadata will be retained for the scholarly record.

5.5. Post-Publication Discussions and Comments

  • Readers, authors, and other stakeholders may submit letters to the editor or comments on published articles.
  • Such correspondence is subject to editorial review and may be published alongside the original article.
  • Authors of the original article will be given the opportunity to respond.
  • The journal reserves the right to decline publication of comments that are not constructive, are defamatory, or do not meet ethical standards.

6. Advertising, Sponsorship, and Commercial Considerations

6.1. Advertising Policy

  • JBAEM may accept advertising, but all advertisements are clearly distinguished from editorial content.
  • Advertising does not influence editorial decisions or the content of published articles.
  • The journal reserves the right to reject advertisements that are misleading, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the journal's values.

6.2. Sponsorship and Supplements

  • Sponsored content (e.g., supplements, special issues) is subject to the same peer review and editorial standards as regular content.
  • Sponsorship is disclosed prominently in the publication.
  • Sponsors have no influence over editorial decisions, peer review, or the content of articles.

6.3. Commercial Interests and Editorial Independence

  • The journal maintains strict separation between commercial activities and editorial processes.
  • No commercial consideration will influence the acceptance, rejection, or content of any manuscript.
  • Editors and staff are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to commercial relationships.

7. Archiving and Preservation

7.1. Digital Preservation

  • JBAEM is committed to the long-term preservation and accessibility of all published content.
  • The journal uses digital preservation services and/or partners with recognized archiving organizations to ensure that content remains accessible even if the journal ceases publication.
  • JBAEM content is archived in the British Library, Internet Archive, CLOCKSS, and DSpace repositories to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.
  • All articles are assigned persistent unique identifiers (DOIs) to ensure permanent discoverability.

7.2. Access to Archived Content

  • All published articles remain freely accessible online in perpetuity.
  • In the event of journal discontinuation, arrangements will be made to transfer content to an appropriate archive or successor publication.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

8.1. Personal Data

  • JBAEM collects and processes personal data (e.g., author names, affiliations, contact information) only as necessary for the publication process.
  • Personal data is handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws (e.g., GDPR).
  • Data is not shared with third parties except as required for publication, indexing, or legal compliance.

8.2. Confidentiality

  • Submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.
  • Editors, reviewers, and staff are required to maintain confidentiality and not disclose information about submissions to unauthorized parties.
  • Reviewer identities are kept confidential.

8.3. Data Retention

  • Personal data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
  • Authors may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data, subject to legal and archival requirements.

9. Contact and Complaints

9.1. Editorial Contact

9.2. Complaints and Appeals

  • Authors, reviewers, or readers who wish to raise a complaint about the journal's processes, decisions, or conduct should submit their concerns in writing to the editorial office.
  • Complaints will be acknowledged promptly and investigated fairly.
  • If a complaint cannot be resolved internally, the matter may be referred to COPE or equivalent.
  • Appeals against editorial decisions should be submitted in writing, with a clear explanation of the grounds for appeal and any supporting evidence.

9.3. Reporting Misconduct

  • Concerns about possible research or publication misconduct may be reported to the editorial office at any time.
  • Reports will be handled confidentially and in accordance with COPE guidelines.
  • Whistleblowers will be protected from retaliation to the extent possible.

10. Author Charges Policy (APC)

Diamond Open Access – No Author Fees

This journal is fully open access and operates under the Diamond Open Access model, meaning there are no fees for authors and no fees for readers. We believe that publishing high-quality research should not depend on an author's financial resources. Therefore, the journal does not charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) and does not charge fees at any stage of the publication process.

10.1. No Article Processing Charges (APCs)

  • The journal does not levy any APCs.
  • All submissions and published content are available openly to the public.
  • All services required for publication are provided free of charge to authors, including:
    • Submission handling
    • Peer review
    • Editorial processing
    • Production
    • Online publication and hosting
    • DOI assignment
    • Archiving/preservation

10.2. No Submission or Publication Fees

The journal does not charge fees at any stage, including (but not limited to):

  • Submission fees
  • Review or editorial processing fees
  • Acceptance or publication fees
  • Page charges
  • Color figure or image charges
  • Fees for enhanced formatting or typesetting

Authors can submit, revise, and publish their work entirely without financial obligation.

Clarification on third-party services: Authors are never required to purchase any external services. If an author voluntarily chooses optional third-party services (e.g., language editing, translation, or figure preparation), those arrangements are made independently by the author and are not part of the journal's fees. Choosing (or not choosing) such services does not influence editorial decisions.

10.3. Open Access License (CC BY-NC 4.0)

All published articles are made freely available under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. This ensures:

  • Free access for readers (no paywalls)
  • Free publication for authors (no APCs or other journal fees)
  • Permission for non-commercial reuse, sharing, and adaptation with appropriate attribution
  • Transparent reuse conditions under a recognized open license

The journal uses CC BY-NC 4.0 to support broad educational and research reuse while restricting commercial exploitation without permission.

10.4. Editorial Independence and Ethical Standards

The absence of fees does not influence editorial decisions.

  • All manuscripts undergo impartial peer review and editorial assessment.
  • Acceptance is based solely on academic merit, relevance, and research quality.
  • Editors and reviewers serve voluntarily or through institutional support.

The journal adheres to best practices in publishing ethics and integrity.

10.5. Funding and Sustainability

To keep the journal free for both authors and readers, operational costs are covered through:

  • Libyan International University institutional or organizational sponsorship
  • Grants or supporting partners
  • Volunteer scholarly contributions
  • In-kind services (e.g., hosting infrastructure, editorial time, technical support)

Authors are never asked to contribute financially to the publication process.

10.6. Transparency Commitment

The journal is committed to complete transparency. We guarantee that:

  • There are no hidden charges
  • No fees will be introduced after acceptance
  • This policy remains publicly accessible and will be maintained on the journal website

Authors are welcome to contact the editorial office with any questions regarding financial or administrative matters.

These policies are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect best practices in scholarly publishing. Last updated: July 2026. For the most current version, please visit this page or contact the editorial office.