Ethics & Responsibility

The LITPAM is dedicated to maintaining the credibility of its published works. The credibility of academic publishing is contingent upon the ethical behavior of all parties involved. The following points provide a general overview and should not be considered exhaustive. Our authors and editors are encouraged to refer to the resources provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for guidance on ethical matters. In case of uncertainty regarding a journal-related ethical issue, the COPE website offers a wealth of information. For any additional questions or concerns, the authors or editors can contact the Journal Editor or the LITPAM Publishing Editor or send an email to info@litpam.com.

LITPAM is committed to:

1. Preserving the autonomy of editorial boards in scientific journals.
2. Ensuring that journal editors conduct their operations in accordance with ethical principles and transparency.
3. Maintaining a precise and straightforward academic record through publication of corrections and retractions as required.
   

Authors. Authors should ensure that:

1. The authors’ contribution to the work is solely their own original creation and has not been previously published.
2. The work has been submitted only to the journal and has not been published elsewhere.
3. Proper citation of sources, including the authors’ own previous work, is provided, and necessary permissions have been obtained.
4. The work does not infringe on any rights, including privacy and intellectual property rights.
5. The data used in the work is truthful and has not been manipulated.
6. The authors have obtained permission to use data from other sources, or the data used is their own original creation.
7. Any real or potential conflicts of interest or competition must be clearly stated upon submission of the work, including funding support.
8. The authors comply with all ethical guidelines for research, particularly in regards to human or animal subjects.
9. Upon discovery of any errors, the authors will contact the Editor to rectify them, prior or subsequent to publication.
10. The authorship of the work is accurately represented, ensuring that all individuals credited as authors have participated and have given their consent for publication.

Transparency is of utmost importance for the authors. For instance, if an author is unsure whether the work constitutes duplicate publication, they should inform the editor of the journal. If the editor determines the work is suitable for publication, the paper should clearly state any potential overlap.

Reviewers. Reviewers must:

1. Ensure the preservation of the confidentiality of the review process.
2. Promptly notify the journal editor of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the objectivity of their review and, as necessary, decline to participate in the review process.
3. Adhere to impartial and equitable conduct.

It is recognized that academics may have affiliations with certain schools of thought and/or significant ties to certain interests. However, it is expected that reviewers make a concerted effort to act objectively. In the event of any uncertainty regarding the presence of a conflict of interest, the reviewer should exercise transparency and consult with the journal editor for guidance.

Editors. Editors should:

1. Journal editors must enforce and maintain consistent ethical policies to ensure the integrity of their publications.
2. The editors must oversee the enforcement of these policies in a fair and impartial manner.
3. Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the review process.
4. Editors must adhere to the highest standards of personal integrity in their editorial duties and recognize potential conflicts of interest.
5. The editors must collaborate with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Board to ensure understanding of the journal’s ethical policies and to ensure unbiased and timely stewardship of ethical matters.
   

Everyone including Editorial Boards

1. We should promote fairness and equality and oppose discrimination.
2. We should promote the transparency of and respect for the academic record.
3. We should respect the confidentiality of others.
4. We should be transparent about real or apparent competing interests. 

Publishers’ Responsibilities

LITPAM as publisher is committed to working with journal editors, defining clearly their relevant roles, in order to ensure appropriate decisions regarding publication procedures and maintaining the transparency of editorial decisions. LITPAM as a publisher also ensures the integrity of autonomy and the originality of each published article with respect to:

1. Publication and research fundings.
2. Publication ethics and rectitude.
3. Conflicts of interest.
4. Confidentiality.
5. Authorship.
6. Article modifications.
7. Timely publication of content.