Overview

Ethical publishing protects authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. WJAPS expects every participant in the publication process to uphold honesty, transparency, and accountability at all stages — from submission through peer review to final publication.

01. Duties of Editors

Fair Play

Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic merit, without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or other personal factors.

Confidentiality

Editors must not disclose details of manuscripts except to reviewers, authors, or necessary editorial staff.

Conflict of Interest

Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists.

Publication Decisions

Editors decide which manuscripts are suitable for publication, guided by journal policies and legal regulations.

02. Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviews assist editors in decision-making and help authors improve manuscripts.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review are confidential and must not be shared.

Objectivity

Reviews should be unbiased, constructive, and supported by clear reasoning.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should ensure proper citation of prior work and alert editors to potential plagiarism or duplicate content.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers should avoid evaluating manuscripts where personal or financial conflicts exist.

03. Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

Authors must present accurate, original research and sufficient details to allow reproducibility.

Originality and Plagiarism

Manuscripts must be original; all borrowed work must be properly cited.

Multiple Submissions

Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is prohibited.

Authorship

Only those who contributed significantly should be listed as authors; all co-authors must approve the manuscript.

Ethical Compliance

Authors must disclose conflicts of interest, obtain necessary approvals, and follow ethical standards in research involving humans or animals.

Data Access and Correction

Authors must provide raw data if requested and promptly correct or retract published errors.

04. Duties of the Publisher

Handling Misconduct

Publishers collaborate with editors to address plagiarism, fraud, or unethical practices, issuing corrections or retractions as needed.

Access and Fair Play

Ensure permanent accessibility of research and maintain non-discriminatory publishing practices.

05. Copyright and Licensing

Original Submission

Submission implies the manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

Publishing License

Authors grant the journal a license to publish and identify it as the original publisher.

Creative Commons

Copyright remains with the authors under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, allowing free use by third parties with proper citation.

Special Cases

Variations may apply for authors who cannot hold copyright (e.g., government employees), and must be informed at submission.

Report Ethical Concerns

All reports are handled confidentially and investigated promptly by the editorial office.