Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts are initially evaluated by the Editorial Board and then reviewed by external experts.

IAPSS Politikon follows a rigorous and transparent double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality, validity, and integrity of published research. Reviewers are selected based on subject-matter expertise and provide impartial, constructive feedback. Reviewer identities are kept confidential unless voluntarily disclosed.

Editorial decisions are made independently and are based on the scholarly quality and significance of the research. Editors follow established ethical standards and are committed to fair and unbiased evaluations.

To maintain the double-blind review process, authors must submit two separate files:

• A blinded manuscript with no identifying information
• A cover page including the author's name, academic position, a brief biography, article title, and email address

Failure to maintain proper anonymity may result in delays during the review process.

Types of Submissions

IAPSS Politikon accepts submissions in the following categories:

• Original research articles
• Research notes
• Review essays
• Book reviews

The journal also welcomes contributions to its non-peer-reviewed section, Conversations, including interviews, pedagogical discussions, film commentaries, conference/workshop reports, and research project summaries.

Language and Fees

The journal publishes all content exclusively in English.

There are no submission or publication fees (article processing charges).

General Policies

Authorship and Contributorship

All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. Authorship changes after acceptance require justification and written agreement from all parties.

Handling Complaints and Appeals

Complaints or appeals should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor-in-Chief. The following steps are taken:

1. Receipt of complaint or appeal
2. Initial assessment
3. Investigation
4. Review by Editorial Board
5. Decision and communication
6. Follow-up actions
7. Documentation

Conflicts of Interest

All participants in the publication process must disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could affect objectivity. Identified conflicts will be managed appropriately to maintain integrity.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility

The journal encourages authors to share research data to promote transparency and reproducibility. Authors may be asked to provide supporting data or deposit it in a suitable repository.

Ethical Oversight

All research involving human or animal subjects must comply with relevant ethical standards. Authors must obtain ethical approval and disclose it. Ethical breaches will be investigated and addressed as needed.

Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections

The journal supports scholarly engagement through comments or letters to the editor. When necessary, corrections, clarifications, or retractions will be issued to ensure accurate and reliable content.

Authors

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure their work is original and unpublished. All sources must be properly cited. IAPSS Politikon strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form.

The journal adheres to the definition provided by Oxford University:

"Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional."

Plagiarism Screening

Editors and reviewers are asked to assess originality. Editorial Board members may use anti-plagiarism tools such as Turnitin when available through their institutions.

Authorship and Contributions

All authors must have made meaningful contributions and approve the final version before submission. The corresponding author is responsible for coordinating author consent.

Data Integrity

Authors must ensure the accuracy of their data and provide sufficient detail for reproducibility. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting is unethical and unacceptable.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect interpretation. These must be clearly stated in the manuscript.

Multiple Submissions and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal or publish substantially similar content in multiple outlets.

For further details, refer to the journal’s instructions for authors.

Reviewers

Role in the Peer Review Process

Reviewers ensure the scholarly quality of published content. They must respond promptly and provide objective, constructive feedback.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential and not shared without editor approval.

Expertise and Objectivity

Reviewers must have subject expertise and offer impartial assessments. Potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed, and reviewers should recuse themselves when appropriate.

Timeliness and Communication

Reviewers should adhere to deadlines and inform editors if delays arise. Feedback should be clear, respectful, and aimed at improving the manuscript.

Editors

Editorial Decision-Making

Editors make impartial decisions based on the manuscript’s quality, originality, and relevance. Discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, or affiliation is not tolerated.

Confidentiality and Integrity

Editors treat submissions confidentially and only share details with those involved in the review and publication process.

Conflict of Interest

If an editor has a conflict of interest regarding a submission, the manuscript will be reassigned to another editor.

Publication Ethics

Editors are responsible for upholding ethical practices, investigating misconduct, and taking appropriate actions, including issuing retractions or corrections when necessary.

Publisher

IAPSS Politikon maintains a clear division between editorial and publishing responsibilities to ensure editorial independence and freedom from commercial influence.

The publisher archives signed license agreements with authors and oversees the technical and administrative operation of the journal in collaboration with the IAPSS website team. The journal ensures open access to all published content.

In cases of proven scientific misconduct or plagiarism post-publication, the publisher, in cooperation with editors, will issue corrections or retractions as necessary to uphold academic integrity.

Last edited: 23 July 2025