Passion Scientific Refereed Journal for Human Studies is committed to the highest standards of publication ethics and promotes academic integrity, transparency, objectivity, and responsibility throughout all stages of the publication process.

The journal follows internationally recognized principles of publication ethics and relevant guidance issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), together with the journal’s approved editorial policies and procedures.

1. General Principles

The journal is committed to:

  • Promoting integrity and transparency in scholarly research and publishing.
  • Respecting the rights of all parties involved in the publication process.
  • Ensuring fairness, objectivity, and non-discrimination in editorial decisions.
  • Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related information throughout the review and publication process.
  • Treating allegations of research or publication misconduct seriously and objectively.

2. Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors are expected to:

  • Submit original work that has not been previously published and is not simultaneously under consideration elsewhere.
  • Ensure the accuracy and reliability of all data and findings and refrain from fabrication or falsification.
  • Provide accurate citations, references, and acknowledgments for all sources used.
  • Include as authors those who have made genuine scholarly contributions to the work and avoid unjustified authorship changes.
  • Obtain the approval of all co-authors before submission.
  • Disclose sources of funding or financial support, where applicable.
  • Declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
  • Disclose the use of generative artificial intelligence or automated tools in accordance with the journal’s Artificial Intelligence Policy.
  • Respond professionally and appropriately to reviewers’ and editors’ comments within the specified timeframe.
  • Notify the journal promptly if a significant error is identified in the manuscript after submission or publication.

3. Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding submitted manuscripts and review reports.
  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, fairly, and independently.
  • Provide clear and well-supported review reports that assist the editorial team and authors in evaluating and improving the manuscript.
  • Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe.
  • Disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest and decline the review where such a conflict may affect objectivity.
  • Refrain from using unpublished information or findings from submitted manuscripts for personal or professional purposes before publication.
  • Notify the Editorial Board of suspected plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or other ethical concerns.

4. Editorial Responsibilities

The Editorial Board is responsible for:

  • Making editorial decisions based on scholarly quality, originality, significance, and compliance with publication ethics.
  • Ensuring fairness, objectivity, and non-discrimination in the editorial process.
  • Maintaining the confidentiality of manuscripts, peer-review reports, and communications related to the evaluation process.
  • Selecting qualified, relevant, and independent reviewers where possible.
  • Handling complaints and appeals relating to the publication process fairly and confidentially.
  • Investigating cases of research or publication misconduct in accordance with the journal’s policies and procedures.
  • Publishing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when necessary to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

5. Publication Misconduct

The journal considers the following practices serious violations of research and publication ethics:

  • Plagiarism.
  • Duplicate or simultaneous publication.
  • Fabrication or falsification of data or findings.
  • Manipulation of references or citations.
  • Authorship manipulation or misrepresentation of contributions.
  • Failure to disclose conflicts of interest.
  • Any other practice that compromises academic integrity or the integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal may take appropriate editorial action based on the nature of the misconduct, the available evidence, and its applicable policies.

6. Plagiarism

All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism or similarity-detection tools and methods adopted by the journal before peer review.

Similarity results are assessed in context, taking into account legitimate similarities such as commonly used scientific terminology, references, and wording required by the nature of the research.

Where plagiarism, unacceptable similarity, or a serious ethical violation is identified, the Editorial Board may reject the manuscript or take appropriate action in accordance with the journal’s Plagiarism Policy and other relevant policies.

7. Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and Editorial Board members must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of peer review or editorial decision-making.

The journal takes appropriate measures to minimize the effect of conflicts of interest and to maintain the integrity of the evaluation and decision-making process.

8. Research Involving Human Participants

Where research involves human participants, personal data, or sensitive information, authors must comply with applicable ethical and legal standards, obtain the necessary approvals where required, and respect participants’ privacy and confidentiality.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that the ethical requirements applicable to the type of research submitted have been met.

9. Complaints and Appeals

The journal welcomes complaints and appeals relating to editorial procedures or publication ethics and considers them fairly, confidentially, and objectively.

The Editorial Board reviews complaints or appeals on the basis of the available information and evidence and takes appropriate action according to the journal’s policies and the circumstances of each case.

10. Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

Where a significant error or ethical issue is identified after publication that affects the accuracy, reliability, or integrity of the scholarly record, the journal may, depending on the circumstances, publish:

  • A Correction.
  • An Expression of Concern, where appropriate.
  • A Retraction, where warranted.

These measures are intended to correct the scholarly record and preserve the reliability of published content.

11. Related Policies

This Publication Ethics Policy should be read in conjunction with the journal’s other published policies, particularly:

  • Peer Review Policy.
  • Plagiarism Policy.
  • Updates and Retractions Policy.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Automated Tools Policy.
  • Open Access Policy.
  • Copyright & Licensing Policy.
  • Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 License Policy.

Last Updated: August 2026