PUBLICATION ETHICS CODE OF CONDUCT
This Code is based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines contained in the Code of Conduct for Journal Editors. COPE expects all of its members to follow the Code of Conduct for Journal Editors and disapproves of those who do not (see https://publicationethics.org/).
1.1. The Editorial Team assumes responsibility for the texts published in the journal. This means that the Editorial Team:
1.1.1. aims to meet the expectations of readers and authors.
1.1.2. strives to constantly improve the journal.
1.1.3. has procedures in place to ensure the quality of the material intended for publication.
1.1.4. respects the freedom of expression of thoughts.
1.1.5. ensures the integrity of the academic record.
1.1.6. rejects compromising for business needs at the expense of deviating from intellectual and ethical standards.
1.1.7. is willing – when necessary – to publish corrections, clarifications, withdraw from views, or apologize.
2.1. The Editorial Team makes sure that readers are informed about who financed the research or scientific work of the authors of texts (including their institutional affiliation) and whether the research funders had any role in carrying them out, and the subsequent publication of their results.
3.1. The Editorial Team's decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of texts are based on the substantive validity of the publication, their originality, methodological clarity and correctness, as well as their compliance with the journal's profile and its importance for the development of the scientific disciplines represented in the journal.
3.2. The Editorial Team does not decide to reject the submitted text until it has identified significant problems related to it.
3.3. The new Editorial Team does not amend the decision to publish a text that has been approved by the previous Editorial Team, unless significant new issues are identified.
3.4. The description of the review procedure is published on the journal's website. The Editorial Team may depart from the adopted rules only in particularly justified cases.
3.5. The Editorial Team allows the authors of texts to appeal against their decisions.
3.6. The Editorial Team has developed detailed guidelines for authors who want to publish in the journal. These guidelines are updated regularly and are in line with this code.
3.7. The editors have developed guidelines on the criteria for co-authoring texts and on who should be listed as making a significant contribution to the drafting of the text and carrying out the research.
4.1. The Editorial Team has developed detailed guidelines for reviewers regarding the expectations of their tasks, while maintaining the confidentiality principle regarding the materials provided to them. These guidelines are updated regularly and are in line with this code.
4.2. The Editorial Team – before submitting materials for review – examines whether there are any subjective or objective interests of competition on the part of potential reviewers regarding the conducted research.
4.3. The Editorial Team applies the principle of protecting the data of the reviewers.
5.1. The Editorial Team provides new editorial members with guidance on their specific tasks and keeps the entire team open to proposing new strategies and developing the journal.
6.1. The relationship of the Editorial Team with the superior entity (owner) of the journal and its publisher is based on the principle of editorial independence.
6.2. The Editorial Team makes decisions regarding the publication of texts, based on the assessment of their scientific quality and compliance with the journal's profile, without any influence on this decision on the part of the parent entity or the publisher.
7.1. The Editorial Team makes sure that the journal's review process is fair, free of bias, and on time.
7.2. The Editorial Team has a developed system to ensure the confidentiality of reviews sent to them.
8.1. The Editorial Team takes all possible steps to ensure the highest quality of materials published in the journal, recognizing that the journal's internal sections (articles, materials, reviews, discussions, reports) may have different goals and scientific standards.
9.1. The Editorial Team retains the right to protect personal data in force in the Republic of Poland. It also respects the confidentiality (professional secrecy) of information obtained in the course of conducting scientific research or professional relationships (e.g. between a doctor and a patient, a person and a spiritual director).
9.2. The Editorial Team requires a written consent for the publication of materials by persons who could be recognized in the results of the published research or could be identified in the published materials (e.g. in the case of the publication of photographs).
9.3. It is possible to publish individual information without prior consent if there are overriding reasons of public interest that outweigh individual reasons.
10.1. The Editorial Team takes every effort before publishing materials to make sure that the research presented in the publications was conducted in accordance with significant international regulations related to research ethics (e.g. Declaration of Helsinki for clinical trials, or AERA and BERA guidelines for educational research).
10.2. The Editorial Team requires assurance that all research presented in the publication has been approved by a competent authority (e.g. an ethics committee or review team). However, the Editorial Team believes that, in principle, such institutional approval does not automatically guarantee that the research was ethical.
11.1. The Editorial Team has a duty to act if misconduct is identified or an allegation of misconduct is brought to them. This obligation applies both to texts that have already been published and those that are yet to be published.
11.2. Not only do the editors suspend the publication of materials suspected of misconduct, but also take appropriate explanatory actions.
11.3. The Editorial Team first asks person suspected of misconduct for explanation. However, if the response received is not satisfactory, the Editorial Team requests the institution employing the author of the text to conduct an appropriate investigation.
11.4. The Editorial Team takes all possible steps to make sure that a proper investigation has been initiated and continued. If this is not the case, the Editorial Team undertakes a burdensome, but necessary, duty to finally clarify the situation.
11.5. The Editorial Team follows the rules contained in the COPE flowcharts.
12.1. The Editorial Team makes sure that any identified errors, inadequate or inappropriate statements are properly and adequately corrected.
12.2. As for the possibility of withdrawing from their views, the Editorial Team follows the COPE guidelines.
13.1. The Editorial Team observes the laws relating in their subject matter to intellectual property and, together with the publisher, observes laws and agreements that exclude all possible ways of misappropriating intellectual property.
14.1. The Editorial Team encourages readers to take a critical look at the materials published in the journal.
14.2. The Editorial Team gives the authors of the materials that have been criticized the right to defend their views and/or answer the allegations.
14.3. The Editorial Team does not hesitate to publish materials that discuss negative research results.
15.1. In line with the principle that delayed responses to complaints make these complaints even bigger, the Editorial Team tries to respond to critical remarks as soon as possible.
15.2. The Editorial Team follows the COPE flowchart on complaints in this respect.
16.1. As a part of its strategy, the journal uses a system that protects against purely commercial pressure on publishing decisions (e.g. the advertising department should operate independently of the publishing department).
16.2. The Editorial Team declares an advertising policy and a policy of additional sponsored materials (so-called inserts) in accordance with the journal's profile.
16.3. When deciding to reprint, the Editorial Team undertakes to introduce corrections of defects or errors noticed in the first edition.
17.1. The Editorial Team uses its own management system in the event of a conflict of interest that affects the editorial board itself, cooperation with the publisher, authors of texts, reviewers or editors.
17.2. The editors declare no bias as to the course of the review process.
18.1. The Editorial Team does not make publishing decisions based on the source of the text, i.e. it is not influenced by factors such as nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, race or religion. Decisions regarding the edition and publication of the submitted texts are not determined by the policy of the government or other entities, but are solely the decision of the Editorial Team.
Vol. 57 No. 2 (2024)
Published: 2025-06-28
English
Język Polski