Transparency Principles
| Post date: 2025/05/5 |
Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences: Transparency Principles
1. Website
2. Journal Name and Abbreviation
3. Ownership and Management
4. Editorial Board
5. Peer Review Process
6. Copyright and License
7. Authors and Author Responsibilities
8. Fees
9. Publication Schedule
10. Archival Policy
11. Revenue Sources
12. Advertising
13. Direct Marketing
14. Publishing Ethics
15. Publisher Principles: Codes of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines
1. Website
Users can access the journal website at https://jms.Thums.ac.ir.
2. Name and Abbreviation of the Journal
The journal's name is "Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences," and its abbreviation is "JTHUMS."
3. Ownership and Management
The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences is owned, managed, and published by Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
4. Editorial Board
A list of editorial board members, their organizational affiliations, and contact information is available on the journal's page under "Editorial Board."
5. Peer Review Process
As the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) statement recommended, the journal uses a double-blind peer review process. The peer review process is available on the journal's page under "Peer Review Policies."
6. Copyright and Licensing
Considering that making research freely available to the public promotes the exchange of knowledge across cultures, the journal offers open access to all of its content. Each article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits non-commercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided that the original author(s) and the reference(s) are properly cited.
In spite of copyright, authors grant the publisher exclusive rights to their articles; however, the ability to create and approve commercial uses is included in this agreement. Authors retain the following rights:
Authors have the right to:
• Share their article following their "Personal Use Rights," provided that they include an end-user license and a DOI link to the version currently registered in this journal.
• Retain intellectual property rights (including research data).
• Provide appropriate credit and attribution for the published work.
Examples of acceptable academic and non-commercial uses of authors' articles include::
• Use in the author's classroom instruction (including distribution of copies, whether paper or electronic).
• Providing copies to reputable research colleagues for personal use (including via email).
• Inclusion in a thesis or dissertation.
• Inclusion in a subsequent collection of the author's works.
• Converting the article into a work, such as a book.
• Creating other derivative works (but not for commercial use).
• Reusing portions or excerpts of the work in other contexts
7. Authors and Authorship Responsibilities
The corresponding author typically ensures that all administrative requirements of the journal are appropriately fulfilled, including ethics committee approval, providing authorship details, collecting conflict of interest statements, and clinical trial registration documentation. The corresponding author assumes primary responsibility for communication with the journal throughout the submission, peer review, and publication processes. The corresponding author should promptly address reviewer inquiries during the peer review and submission phases and assist the journal with any requests following publication.
After formal acceptance of the article, the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences does not permit the addition of new authors or the modification of the first or corresponding authors. Should any author wish to remove their name from the authorship list, a letter expressing the author's intent to withdraw must be submitted and signed by both the author and the other authors. Any changes to the order of names in the byline necessitate a letter signed by all authors indicating their consent to the alteration.
The corresponding author is primarily responsible for communication with the journal throughout the submission, peer review, and publication processes and is typically responsible for ensuring that all journal administrative requirements, such as providing authorship details, ethics committee approval, clinical trial registration documentation, and compiling conflict of interest statements, are systematically completed. The corresponding author must respond to reviewer inquiries during both the submission and peer review phases and cooperate with any journal requests after publication. Manuscripts submitted to the journal must be original and must not have been published elsewhere. This policy extends to contributions that are under review with other publications. All authors must resolve copyright issues before citing figures or tables from other journals.
8. Fees
Article Processing Charge (APC) and other printing costs in the journal are free for authors. The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences covers most printing costs, and this publication has no APC fee.
9. Publication Schedule
The journal has been active and has published articles quarterly since 2013.
10. Archival Policy
The journal is currently archived electronically in domestic and international repositories as follows:
• Google Scholar
• Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Database
• Scientific Information Database (SID)
• Magiran
In addition to database indexing, the journal uses digital archiving through the Eprint repository to ensure long-term digital preservation and retrieval.
11. Revenue Sources
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences supports the publication costs of the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, the APC or any other printing costs in the journal are free for authors.
12. Advertising
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, as the owner of the Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences Journal, expressly disclaims any advertising.
13. Direct Marketing
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences Journal has no direct marketing activities.
14. Publication Ethics
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Code of Conduct is designed to establish a set of minimum standards for journal editors, with all COPE members expected to adhere to these principles. The guidelines are widely recognized and were developed in response to requests from editors seeking guidance on a broad and increasingly complex range of ethical issues. Although the COPE Guidelines remain recommendations and are voluntary, all members are anticipated to comply with them. This adherence fosters a safe environment for research, and the resultant sense of trust creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all scholars wishing to further their work in this domain. The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences also complies with COPE’s Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines.. The Journal's Publication Ethics Policies are accessible on the Journal's website under "Publication Ethics. "
15. Publisher Principles: Codes of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines
The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences is committed to upholding the publisher's rules and principles of conduct, which are fundamentally based on the " Principles of Transparency and Best Practices in Scholarly Publishing " as published and updated by the COPE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).
1- Chapter 1: Objectives and Definitions
2- Chapter 2: Authorship
3- Chapter 3: Fraud
4- Chapter 4: Overlapping Publications
5- Chapter 5: Conflict of Interest
6- Chapter 6: Privacy and Confidentiality
7- Chapter 7: Duties of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board
8- Chapter 8: Duties of Reviewers
9- Chapter 9: Retraction
10- Chapter 10: Article Withdrawal
Chapter 1: Goals and Definitions
1-1 The goals of this guideline include the following:
1-1-1 Safeguarding and protecting intellectual property rights and respecting the material rights of researchers and authors associated with the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
1-1-2 Honoring the principles of scientific ethics and adhering to them within the scientific community related to the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
1-1-3 Preventing the erosion of the country's scientific reputation.
1-2 Definitions in this guideline
1-2-1 Research misconduct: Research misconduct in this guideline refers to any misuse of scientific products and the provision of inaccurate information.
1-2-2 Ministry: In this guideline, the Ministry refers to the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education of Iran.
1-2-3 Institution: In this guideline, the term "institution" encompasses the bases, groups, and other units affiliated with the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
Chapter 2: Authorship
2.1 An individual is considered an author (one of the authors) of an article if he or she meets all four of the following criteria:
2.1.1 Has made a significant contribution to at least one of the following activities:
a) Presenting a research idea or designing a study
b) Collecting data
c) Analyzing and interpreting data
2.1.2 Has contributed to writing a draft of the article or to its critical review, leading to the revision of the scientific content of the article.
2.1.3 Has read and approved the final version of the article.
2.1.4 Accepts responsibility for all aspects of the article, including the accuracy and validity of the material presented in it.
Note: Legal entities and research groups are also subject to the criteria outlined in this article.
2.2 The names of all individuals who meet the criteria for authorship of the article (in accordance with Article 1, Chapter 2 of this guideline) must be listed as authors in the authors' section of the article, even if their collaboration with that center or research group has been terminated for any reason.
2.3 In large-scale research conducted by a research group, if the authors' roles in creating the article are highly specialized, the contribution and responsibility of each author may be limited to their area of expertise. In such cases, the principal researcher or researchers will determine who is responsible for the entirety of the article.
2.4 The order of names in the authors' section of the article is determined based on the level of participation of each individual and by their collective agreement. The individual who has made the most significant contribution to the study and writing of the manuscript will be listed as the first author.
Note: The scientific position or rank of the authors will not influence the order of names.
2.5 Any disagreement between authors regarding the order of their names in the article, after the article has been submitted to the journal can only be pursued through the corresponding author. The decision regarding this matter rests with the journal editor.
2-6 The removal of an author(s) name after submission to the journal can only be pursued through a request from the corresponding author. Obtaining the consent of all authors in this regard is mandatory, and the final decision rests with the journal editor.
2-7 Any conflict among authors must be reported to the journal editor in writing after submission. Until the conflict is resolved, the article evaluation process will be suspended, and the author(s) will not have the right to submit the article to another journal. If a conflict is substantiated, the editor will investigate the matter following Chapter 3 (Fraud).
2-8 Adding, removing, or altering the order of the authors' names after submission to the journal is considered a conflict of interest and, if not explained with a clear rationale, will be addressed based on Chapter 3 (Fraud).
2-9 The names of all individuals who have contributed significantly to the study or writing of the article but do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the authors' section must be included in the acknowledgments section, specifying the nature of their contribution.
2-10 If the journal suspects ghost authorship exists, requesting relevant documents from the authors is mandatory. If it is confirmed that the name of an author who contributed to the article is missing, the corresponding author must inform the journal by resubmitting a request for changes to the authorship list. This issue can be followed up according to the flowchart of the International Organization for Publication Ethics.
2-11 The corresponding author is one of the authors of the manuscript who, due to his or her scientific position and role in the study (for example, the principal investigator or the first thesis supervisor), is responsible for correspondence and responding to any ambiguities and objections raised by the other authors regarding the manuscript or article. The corresponding author is also tasked with communicating important comments and correspondence to other authors and regulating interactions among the authors.
2-12 It is inappropriate to falsely attribute an institution, center, or department that has no role in the original research or the individual author's professional activities. This issue can be monitored according to the flowchart provided by the COPE.
2.13 Authors should present an accurate account of their work and make an unbiased assessment of its significance. Essential data should be presented appropriately in the article. The article must contain sufficient detail and references so that others can cite it effectively. Deliberate deception and inappropriate statements are considered publication misconduct and are unacceptable. This issue can be followed up according to the flowchart provided by the International Organization for Publication Ethics.
2.14 Data Access and Storage: Authors may be required to submit their article data to the journal. Authors should be prepared to make the data accessible and to store it for several years following publication.
2.15 Risks and Human and Animal Samples
2.15.1 If the research involves chemicals, processes, or devices that may pose unusual risks, the author must clearly indicate them.
2.15.2 If the research involves human or animal samples, the author must include a statement indicating that all procedures were carried out following the relevant laws and guidelines and have been approved by the appropriate organizations. The author must also state in the manuscript that written consent has been obtained from participants for experiments involving humans. Human privacy rights must be respected.
2.16 Fundamental Errors
2.16.1 When an author discovers a significant error in their published article, they are responsible for informing the editor or publisher and cooperating with the journal to withdraw, correct, or retract the article.
2.16.2 If a third party notifies the editor or publisher of such an issue, it is the author's responsibility to cooperate with the editor and provide the journal with the necessary information.
2.17 Imperfect Images
Enhancing, blurring, moving, deleting, or adding parts to images is prohibited. Adjusting brightness, sharpness, and color levels is acceptable if it does not distort or remove parts and information from the original image. Manipulating images to improve quality is permissible; however, doing so for any other purpose is considered publishing misconduct, and appropriate actions will be taken against such fraud.
2.18 Authors must notify the journal's administrators of any errors or inaccuracies in their articles and attempt to correct them or withdraw the articles with the journal's approval. If the journal identifies any publication errors before the authors, those will be addressed following Chapter 3.
2.19 Authors are required to refrain from unethical publishing and research behaviors. If any of these instances are found to have occurred during any stage of submitting, reviewing, editing, or publishing an article in the journal or thereafter, it is considered unethical research behavior, and the journal reserves the right to take legal action based on Chapter 3.
Chapter 3: Fraud
3-1 Fraud is any violation of accepted ethical principles in writing and publishing scientific research works or deviation from them, which includes the following:
3-1-1 Fabricating (falsifying) data or results: This refers to the fabrication of data or results that are not based on actual research. Data falsification involves reporting false material and presenting fictitious data or results as legitimate laboratory results, experimental studies, or personal findings. Unrealistic documentation of events that did not occur or the misrepresentation of results from different studies are examples of this violation.
3-1-2 Manipulation of research data and intentional interference: Data falsification means the manipulation of materials, tools, and research processes or the alteration and deletion of data in a manner that causes the research results to differ from the actual results. It also encompasses any action that leads to a change in the impartial results of a test or the writing of an article. If such actions result in a modification of the results or the method of work or do not alter the results, it must be reported clearly.
3-1.3 Plagiarism: This item refers to the use of all or part of the published or unpublished materials or ideas of another person or persons without appropriately citing the source or without obtaining permission in necessary cases.
3-1.4 False attribution or scientific leasing: This involves falsely attributing the author(s) to an institution, center, educational, or research group that did not contribute to the original research. It also refers to situations where the author(s) hire another individual to conduct the research and subsequently publish it under their own name with minimal involvement without acknowledging the researchers as authors.
3-2 Using the original or translation of a text published by others in a manuscript must adhere to the following criteria:
3-2-1 If a figure, table, questionnaire, or a significant part of the text is utilized or translated as an exact copy of the original text, in addition to placing the text in quotation marks and citing the source, written permission must be obtained from the copyright owner of the original text.
3-2-2 The source must be acknowledged if the text or its translation is used as a quotation, summary, conclusion, or idea.
Note: The contents of this article also apply to previously published materials by the author(s) of the manuscript.
3.3 All researchers are required to report any instances of fraud to the research sponsoring institution, the director, or the person in charge of the author's/authors' workplace or educational institution, as appropriate, in a confidential manner if they have a reasonable certainty that fraud has occurred.
3.4 The editor-in-chief may investigate potential fraud in received manuscripts; however, if the editor-in-chief becomes aware of a possibility of fraud, they are required to report the concern to the research sponsoring institution, the director, or the person in charge of the author's/authors' workplace or educational institution, as appropriate, in a confidential manner. This allows for the fraud to be confirmed or refuted through an investigation. The investigation will be conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
Note: Until fraud is confirmed, unrelated individuals should not be informed of the possibility of fraud or the ongoing investigations.
3.5 If the editor-in-chief determines that fraud has occurred, they must take one or more of the following actions, depending on the severity of the fraud:
3.5.1 Refusing to publish the manuscript (if the manuscript has not yet been published).
3.5.2 Retracting and flagging the article if it has been published and including a notice on the article page.
3.5.3 Publishing a correction or disclaimer in a future issue of the journal (if it has been published).
3.5.4 Refusing to accept future articles from the author(s) for a specified period.
3.5.5 Deleting previous articles authored by the author(s) from the journal's website or database.
3.5.6 Informing the journal publisher about the fraud.
3.5.7 Sending documentation to the Vice-Chancellor for Research of the universities of the author(s) who committed the fraud.
3.5.8 Informing the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry.
3.5.9 Sending documentation to the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry and following up on the matter through the committee.
Chapter 4: Overlapping Publications
4-1 If a print or electronic journal has already published a manuscript or is considering it for publication, it is improper to submit the same manuscript to another journal or republish it.
Note: If the author(s) of a manuscript that is under consideration for publication in a journal decide to submit the manuscript to another journal for any reason, they must first notify the first journal of their withdrawal from publication in writing and obtain the approval of the first journal. This is possible no later than before the manuscript is accepted for publication in the first journal and only with the approval of the first journal.
4-2 When submitting a manuscript that contains a significant amount of an article under consideration or published for consideration and publication as a scientific research article, the author(s) must inform the editor of this in a letter.
Note: It is permissible to repeat parts of the "Materials and Methods" section in subsequent articles by the same author(s) if necessary, but the reference must be cited in any case.
4-3 If an article has previously been published in print or electronic form or is under review for publication, it is permissible to submit a translation of the same article into another language for review and publication in another journal, provided that the editors of both journals agree and that readers are informed.
Chapter 5: Conflict of Interest
5.1 Conflict of interest is the existence of any financial or non-financial interest that may influence the author, reviewer, or editor to express their honest opinion. The existence of a conflict of interest is not considered an ethical objection to the manuscript.
5.2 The author(s) of the manuscript must clearly declare any conflict of interest that is hidden from the audience in the text or at the bottom of the manuscript.
Note: The contract between the researchers and the research sponsor should not include any prohibition on declaring a conflict of interest in the manuscript.
5.3 The author(s) must clearly identify the sources of funding for the research and writing of the article.
Chapter 6: Privacy and Confidentiality
6-1 Personal identification of information of subjects, research staff, or any other individuals other than the authors of the manuscript and those who are acknowledged must not be included in the text of the manuscript, photographs, genealogies, or any other part, unless the individual in question or their legal representative has provided written informed consent for the publication of that information.
Note 1: In the case of photographs of individuals, any covering must be such that it does not lead to the identification of the individual. Covering the eyes alone is insufficient unless written informed consent has been obtained.
Note 2: If it is not possible to publish the manuscript without maintaining complete confidentiality of all identifying information or data that could lead to the identification of the individuals mentioned above, and if obtaining informed consent is not feasible, the Regional Ethics Committee will be responsible for examining the merits of the claim regarding lack of access to the individuals mentioned and the necessity of publishing the information, ultimately deciding on its publication.
Note 3: The publication of information that has already been made publicly available in a proper manner does not require informed consent.
6-2 The editor-in-chief, editorial board, and reviewers must keep all details of the review and evaluation process of the article registered in the system confidential. Except in cases where the evaluation is conducted in an open manner, all stages of the evaluation process must remain anonymous, and the names of the reviewers must not be disclosed. Reviewers are also required to keep all information pertaining to the articles confidential.
Chapter 7: Duties of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board
7.1 Publication Decisions
The editor-in-chief of a peer-reviewed journal is responsible for selecting the articles to be published in each issue of the journal. At the request and guidance of the editorial board or the journal's sponsoring organization, the editor-in-chief may adhere to specific policies and take action on issues such as negligence, copyright, and plagiarism. In such cases, the editor-in-chief may consult with editorial board members or the sponsoring organization's officers to make a decision. The final decision must be mutually agreed upon by the sponsoring organization and the publisher.
7.2 Peer Review
7.2.1 The editor-in-chief must assure the audience that the journal's review process will be fair, impartial, and timely. Research articles must be reviewed by at least two independent external reviewers, and the editor-in-chief may seek the opinion of additional experts if necessary.
7.2.2 The editor-in-chief or scientific secretary should select a reviewer who is specialized in the article's subject and should strive to avoid selecting non-specialist reviewers. The editor-in-chief must examine any potential conflicts of interest and carefully consider the issues raised by the reviewers to ensure the impartiality of the review process.
7.2.3 The responsibility for initial acceptance and compliance with ethical publication standards lies with the editor-in-chief. If articles are accepted outside the designated channel and sent to the technical unit, the legal responsibility will rest with the editor-in-chief. The publisher will only review articles submitted through the website of the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
7.3 Fairness in Work
The editor-in-chief should review manuscripts without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, citizenship, or political affiliation.
7.4 Confidentiality
The editor-in-chief and specialist editors must keep any information regarding the manuscript, the corresponding author, the reviewers, and potential reviewers confidential.
7.5 Conflict of Interest
7.5.1 Any conflict of interest involving the editor-in-chief and members of the editorial board must be disclosed to the publisher. The publisher may, if necessary, publish details of the conflict of interest.
7.5.2 The editor-in-chief or a member of the editorial board must not treat an article written by themselves, their family members, or colleagues any differently. Such articles must be treated in the same manner as any other submission.
7.5.3 The editor-in-chief must respect the interests of the publisher or the sponsoring organization. The editor-in-chief is responsible for any damages arising from actions that harm the interests of the publisher or the sponsoring organization in any way. The determination of the amount of damages shall be the responsibility of the party that has suffered due to the actions of the editor-in-chief.
7.6 Review and Investigation
The editor-in-chief should take reasonable steps when a complaint regarding publication ethics is raised. These steps generally include contacting the corresponding author and, if necessary, the institutions and researchers who contributed to the article. If the complaint is substantiated, the editor-in-chief should take one of the following actions:
7.6.1 Correction
7.6.2 Withdrawal
7.6.3 Expression of concern or any other relevant note
7.6.4 Any publication failure, even if a considerable amount of time has passed, should be investigated.
7.7 Care of Published Material
The editor-in-chief should protect the articles published in the journal by reviewing and investigating reports of publication misconduct (in research, printing, reviewing, and editorial board performance) in consultation with the publisher or sponsoring organization.
Chapter 8: Duties of Reviewers
8.1 Contribution to the Editorial Board's Decision
Peer review assists the editor in making decisions and the author in improving the article. It is a fundamental component of scientific communication and lies at its core.
8.2 Competence
If any reviewer feels that they do not possess the expertise to review the article assigned to them, they must inform the editor and declare their withdrawal from reviewing that article.
8.3 Confidentiality
8.3.1 Any manuscript sent to the reviewers must remain confidential and not be shared with anyone else unless permitted by the editor-in-chief.
8.3.2 If a violation of confidentiality is established, the editor-in-chief must notify the Research Ethics Committee of the situation and take one or more of the following actions based on the violation:
8.3.2.1 Refrain from publishing the reviewer's other manuscripts (if the manuscript has not yet been published).
8.3.2.2 Write a note and remove the reviewer from the journal's list of reviewers.
8.3.2.3 Publish a correction or disclaimer in a future issue of the journal (if the article has been published).
8.3.2.4 Refrain from accepting future articles from the author(s) for a specified period.
8.3.2.5 Remove previous articles by the author(s) from the journal's website or database.
8.3.2.6 Inform the journal publisher of the violation.
8.3.2.7 Submit documentation to the Vice-Chancellor for Research of the university of the author(s) who committed the violation.
8.3.2.8 Inform the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry.
8.3.2.9 Submit documentation to the Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry and follow up on the matter through the committee.
8.4 Standards of Impartiality
Reviews must be conducted impartially. Criticism of the author is not acceptable. Reviewers must express their opinions clearly and with justifications. Any insult directed at the author(s) is considered a violation and may be referred to the Research Ethics Committee. The editor may also implement any of the actions outlined in Section 5 of Chapter 3 of this guide.
8.5 Review of References
Reviewers must identify related materials that are not mentioned in the text of the article; they must also assess any similarities and overlaps between the manuscript and previously published articles and report them to the editor if observed.
8.6 Conflict of Interest
Unpublished materials from a manuscript should not be used in the reviewer's own article without the author's consent. Information and ideas obtained during the review must be kept confidential and not used for personal gain.
Chapter 9: Retraction
9.1 Since the retraction of an article is registered in the database, it can damage the reputation of the researcher or the journal in the long term. For this reason, the reasons for retraction must be very clear and verifiable; in particular, a distinction must be made between human error and intentional scientific misconduct. The journal can only retract an article after the error of the author(s) is proven.
9.1.1 Human error: Errors in data collection or classification, unreliable statistical analysis, and similar matters not questioned in the review are considered human error.
9.1.2 Intentional scientific misconduct: Submitting an article to multiple journals simultaneously, conflicting goals, data fabrication or manipulation, non-compliance with research rules, and data falsification, including image manipulation and plagiarism, are examples of these misconducts.
Note: Until the violation is proven, all correspondence between the journal and the author(s) is considered confidential.
9-2 An article is retracted by providing reasons to the author(s). If the author(s) does not respond to the journal within the specified time or if their violation is proven, the article is retracted.
9-3 In the event of human error, when it is possible to reproduce the results of the article, the article is published with a clear statement of correction, the problem is resolved, and there is no need for retraction.
9-4 In the event of an intentional violation, the article is retracted.
9-5 If the article is published electronically, the editor may take one or more of the following actions after writing the reason(s) clearly on the journal website and at the beginning of the article:
9-5-1 Mentioning the phrase "Retracted" at the beginning and end of the article title and a clear explanation of the reason for retraction in the article abstract section. Removing the full text of the article along with its abstract.
9-5-2 Mentioning the phrase "Retracted" at the beginning and end of the article title and a clear explanation of the reason for retraction in the article abstract section. Removing the full text of the article but not its abstract.
9-5-3 Using a watermark in the text of all pages of the article and mentioning "Retracted" in the text if the original article is not removed.
9-5-4 Informing and sending documents to the university's research ethics committee.
9-5-5 Informing and sending documents to the research ethics committee of the university of the corresponding author.
9-5-6 Informing and sending documents to the relevant ministry's research ethics committee.
9-5-7 Informing and sending documents to the publisher.
9-5-8 Refusing to accept future articles by the author(s) for a certain period of time.
Chapter 10: Article Withdrawal
10.1 Before the journal makes a final decision on the article, the corresponding author may withdraw the article.
10.2 In this case, a clear explanation from the author(s) to the journal is required.
10.3 The editor-in-chief is free to return the article to the author.
10.4 If the author clearly states the following after submitting the article and before making the final decision, the article will be returned with the editor-in-chief's consent.
10.4.1 Declaration of a defect in the ethics codes
10.4.2 Declaration of a discrepancy in the data with a reason
10.4.3 Declaration of an error in the method or results with a reason
10.5 The editor-in-chief may return the article before publication in the following cases. The return of the article after the official announcement of acceptance for the following reasons is possible at the editor-in-chief's decision.
10.5.1 Detection of errors in data or methodology
10.5.2 Detection of fraud according to Chapter 3
10.5.3 Failure to comply with the rules of Chapter 2 regarding authorship by the author(s)
10.5.4 Detection of plagiarism
10.5.5 Detection of any publication error
10.6 If the article is included in the list of accepted articles, the journal publishes it with a clear reason. In this case, the editor can act according to the following paragraph.
10.6.1 PDF and HTML of the article are not published, and only the title and abstract of the article are included, along with a reason. This article does not have a page number and does not belong to any issue; it should be categorized in the "Articles Ready for Publication" section. The editor-in-chief simply announces that the article has been withdrawn following the publisher's or copyright holder's policy, with a reference to this guideline.
10.7 In the event of a court order, and under special circumstances such as the risk of publication, the potential misrepresentation of scientific information, the disclosure of confidential information, or any risks associated with the data being at risk, the article may be removed entirely. In this case, only the title of the article and the names of the author(s) will remain, while all other information will be removed from the database. This action can only be undertaken by order of the journal's editor-in-chief.
1. Website
2. Journal Name and Abbreviation
3. Ownership and Management
4. Editorial Board
5. Peer Review Process
6. Copyright and License
7. Authors and Author Responsibilities
8. Fees
9. Publication Schedule
10. Archival Policy
11. Revenue Sources
12. Advertising
13. Direct Marketing
14. Publishing Ethics
15. Publisher Principles: Codes of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines
1. Website
Users can access the journal website at https://jms.Thums.ac.ir.
2. Name and Abbreviation of the Journal
The journal's name is "Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences," and its abbreviation is "JTHUMS."
3. Ownership and Management
The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences is owned, managed, and published by Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
4. Editorial Board
A list of editorial board members, their organizational affiliations, and contact information is available on the journal's page under "Editorial Board."
5. Peer Review Process
As the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) statement recommended, the journal uses a double-blind peer review process. The peer review process is available on the journal's page under "Peer Review Policies."
6. Copyright and Licensing
Considering that making research freely available to the public promotes the exchange of knowledge across cultures, the journal offers open access to all of its content. Each article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits non-commercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided that the original author(s) and the reference(s) are properly cited.
In spite of copyright, authors grant the publisher exclusive rights to their articles; however, the ability to create and approve commercial uses is included in this agreement. Authors retain the following rights:
Authors have the right to:
• Share their article following their "Personal Use Rights," provided that they include an end-user license and a DOI link to the version currently registered in this journal.
• Retain intellectual property rights (including research data).
• Provide appropriate credit and attribution for the published work.
Examples of acceptable academic and non-commercial uses of authors' articles include::
• Use in the author's classroom instruction (including distribution of copies, whether paper or electronic).
• Providing copies to reputable research colleagues for personal use (including via email).
• Inclusion in a thesis or dissertation.
• Inclusion in a subsequent collection of the author's works.
• Converting the article into a work, such as a book.
• Creating other derivative works (but not for commercial use).
• Reusing portions or excerpts of the work in other contexts
7. Authors and Authorship Responsibilities
The corresponding author typically ensures that all administrative requirements of the journal are appropriately fulfilled, including ethics committee approval, providing authorship details, collecting conflict of interest statements, and clinical trial registration documentation. The corresponding author assumes primary responsibility for communication with the journal throughout the submission, peer review, and publication processes. The corresponding author should promptly address reviewer inquiries during the peer review and submission phases and assist the journal with any requests following publication.
After formal acceptance of the article, the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences does not permit the addition of new authors or the modification of the first or corresponding authors. Should any author wish to remove their name from the authorship list, a letter expressing the author's intent to withdraw must be submitted and signed by both the author and the other authors. Any changes to the order of names in the byline necessitate a letter signed by all authors indicating their consent to the alteration.
The corresponding author is primarily responsible for communication with the journal throughout the submission, peer review, and publication processes and is typically responsible for ensuring that all journal administrative requirements, such as providing authorship details, ethics committee approval, clinical trial registration documentation, and compiling conflict of interest statements, are systematically completed. The corresponding author must respond to reviewer inquiries during both the submission and peer review phases and cooperate with any journal requests after publication. Manuscripts submitted to the journal must be original and must not have been published elsewhere. This policy extends to contributions that are under review with other publications. All authors must resolve copyright issues before citing figures or tables from other journals.
8. Fees
Article Processing Charge (APC) and other printing costs in the journal are free for authors. The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences covers most printing costs, and this publication has no APC fee.
9. Publication Schedule
The journal has been active and has published articles quarterly since 2013.
10. Archival Policy
The journal is currently archived electronically in domestic and international repositories as follows:
• Google Scholar
• Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Database
• Scientific Information Database (SID)
• Magiran
In addition to database indexing, the journal uses digital archiving through the Eprint repository to ensure long-term digital preservation and retrieval.
11. Revenue Sources
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences supports the publication costs of the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, the APC or any other printing costs in the journal are free for authors.
12. Advertising
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, as the owner of the Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences Journal, expressly disclaims any advertising.
13. Direct Marketing
Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences Journal has no direct marketing activities.
14. Publication Ethics
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Code of Conduct is designed to establish a set of minimum standards for journal editors, with all COPE members expected to adhere to these principles. The guidelines are widely recognized and were developed in response to requests from editors seeking guidance on a broad and increasingly complex range of ethical issues. Although the COPE Guidelines remain recommendations and are voluntary, all members are anticipated to comply with them. This adherence fosters a safe environment for research, and the resultant sense of trust creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all scholars wishing to further their work in this domain. The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences also complies with COPE’s Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines.. The Journal's Publication Ethics Policies are accessible on the Journal's website under "Publication Ethics. "
15. Publisher Principles: Codes of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines
The Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences is committed to upholding the publisher's rules and principles of conduct, which are fundamentally based on the " Principles of Transparency and Best Practices in Scholarly Publishing " as published and updated by the COPE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).
1- Chapter 1: Objectives and Definitions
2- Chapter 2: Authorship
3- Chapter 3: Fraud
4- Chapter 4: Overlapping Publications
5- Chapter 5: Conflict of Interest
6- Chapter 6: Privacy and Confidentiality
7- Chapter 7: Duties of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board
8- Chapter 8: Duties of Reviewers
9- Chapter 9: Retraction
10- Chapter 10: Article Withdrawal
Chapter 1: Goals and Definitions
1-1 The goals of this guideline include the following:
1-1-1 Safeguarding and protecting intellectual property rights and respecting the material rights of researchers and authors associated with the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
1-1-2 Honoring the principles of scientific ethics and adhering to them within the scientific community related to the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
1-1-3 Preventing the erosion of the country's scientific reputation.
1-2 Definitions in this guideline
1-2-1 Research misconduct: Research misconduct in this guideline refers to any misuse of scientific products and the provision of inaccurate information.
1-2-2 Ministry: In this guideline, the Ministry refers to the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education of Iran.
1-2-3 Institution: In this guideline, the term "institution" encompasses the bases, groups, and other units affiliated with the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
Chapter 2: Authorship
2.1 An individual is considered an author (one of the authors) of an article if he or she meets all four of the following criteria:
2.1.1 Has made a significant contribution to at least one of the following activities:
a) Presenting a research idea or designing a study
b) Collecting data
c) Analyzing and interpreting data
2.1.2 Has contributed to writing a draft of the article or to its critical review, leading to the revision of the scientific content of the article.
2.1.3 Has read and approved the final version of the article.
2.1.4 Accepts responsibility for all aspects of the article, including the accuracy and validity of the material presented in it.
Note: Legal entities and research groups are also subject to the criteria outlined in this article.
2.2 The names of all individuals who meet the criteria for authorship of the article (in accordance with Article 1, Chapter 2 of this guideline) must be listed as authors in the authors' section of the article, even if their collaboration with that center or research group has been terminated for any reason.
2.3 In large-scale research conducted by a research group, if the authors' roles in creating the article are highly specialized, the contribution and responsibility of each author may be limited to their area of expertise. In such cases, the principal researcher or researchers will determine who is responsible for the entirety of the article.
2.4 The order of names in the authors' section of the article is determined based on the level of participation of each individual and by their collective agreement. The individual who has made the most significant contribution to the study and writing of the manuscript will be listed as the first author.
Note: The scientific position or rank of the authors will not influence the order of names.
2.5 Any disagreement between authors regarding the order of their names in the article, after the article has been submitted to the journal can only be pursued through the corresponding author. The decision regarding this matter rests with the journal editor.
2-6 The removal of an author(s) name after submission to the journal can only be pursued through a request from the corresponding author. Obtaining the consent of all authors in this regard is mandatory, and the final decision rests with the journal editor.
2-7 Any conflict among authors must be reported to the journal editor in writing after submission. Until the conflict is resolved, the article evaluation process will be suspended, and the author(s) will not have the right to submit the article to another journal. If a conflict is substantiated, the editor will investigate the matter following Chapter 3 (Fraud).
2-8 Adding, removing, or altering the order of the authors' names after submission to the journal is considered a conflict of interest and, if not explained with a clear rationale, will be addressed based on Chapter 3 (Fraud).
2-9 The names of all individuals who have contributed significantly to the study or writing of the article but do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the authors' section must be included in the acknowledgments section, specifying the nature of their contribution.
2-10 If the journal suspects ghost authorship exists, requesting relevant documents from the authors is mandatory. If it is confirmed that the name of an author who contributed to the article is missing, the corresponding author must inform the journal by resubmitting a request for changes to the authorship list. This issue can be followed up according to the flowchart of the International Organization for Publication Ethics.
2-11 The corresponding author is one of the authors of the manuscript who, due to his or her scientific position and role in the study (for example, the principal investigator or the first thesis supervisor), is responsible for correspondence and responding to any ambiguities and objections raised by the other authors regarding the manuscript or article. The corresponding author is also tasked with communicating important comments and correspondence to other authors and regulating interactions among the authors.
2-12 It is inappropriate to falsely attribute an institution, center, or department that has no role in the original research or the individual author's professional activities. This issue can be monitored according to the flowchart provided by the COPE.
2.13 Authors should present an accurate account of their work and make an unbiased assessment of its significance. Essential data should be presented appropriately in the article. The article must contain sufficient detail and references so that others can cite it effectively. Deliberate deception and inappropriate statements are considered publication misconduct and are unacceptable. This issue can be followed up according to the flowchart provided by the International Organization for Publication Ethics.
2.14 Data Access and Storage: Authors may be required to submit their article data to the journal. Authors should be prepared to make the data accessible and to store it for several years following publication.
2.15 Risks and Human and Animal Samples
2.15.1 If the research involves chemicals, processes, or devices that may pose unusual risks, the author must clearly indicate them.
2.15.2 If the research involves human or animal samples, the author must include a statement indicating that all procedures were carried out following the relevant laws and guidelines and have been approved by the appropriate organizations. The author must also state in the manuscript that written consent has been obtained from participants for experiments involving humans. Human privacy rights must be respected.
2.16 Fundamental Errors
2.16.1 When an author discovers a significant error in their published article, they are responsible for informing the editor or publisher and cooperating with the journal to withdraw, correct, or retract the article.
2.16.2 If a third party notifies the editor or publisher of such an issue, it is the author's responsibility to cooperate with the editor and provide the journal with the necessary information.
2.17 Imperfect Images
Enhancing, blurring, moving, deleting, or adding parts to images is prohibited. Adjusting brightness, sharpness, and color levels is acceptable if it does not distort or remove parts and information from the original image. Manipulating images to improve quality is permissible; however, doing so for any other purpose is considered publishing misconduct, and appropriate actions will be taken against such fraud.
2.18 Authors must notify the journal's administrators of any errors or inaccuracies in their articles and attempt to correct them or withdraw the articles with the journal's approval. If the journal identifies any publication errors before the authors, those will be addressed following Chapter 3.
2.19 Authors are required to refrain from unethical publishing and research behaviors. If any of these instances are found to have occurred during any stage of submitting, reviewing, editing, or publishing an article in the journal or thereafter, it is considered unethical research behavior, and the journal reserves the right to take legal action based on Chapter 3.
Chapter 3: Fraud
3-1 Fraud is any violation of accepted ethical principles in writing and publishing scientific research works or deviation from them, which includes the following:
3-1-1 Fabricating (falsifying) data or results: This refers to the fabrication of data or results that are not based on actual research. Data falsification involves reporting false material and presenting fictitious data or results as legitimate laboratory results, experimental studies, or personal findings. Unrealistic documentation of events that did not occur or the misrepresentation of results from different studies are examples of this violation.
3-1-2 Manipulation of research data and intentional interference: Data falsification means the manipulation of materials, tools, and research processes or the alteration and deletion of data in a manner that causes the research results to differ from the actual results. It also encompasses any action that leads to a change in the impartial results of a test or the writing of an article. If such actions result in a modification of the results or the method of work or do not alter the results, it must be reported clearly.
3-1.3 Plagiarism: This item refers to the use of all or part of the published or unpublished materials or ideas of another person or persons without appropriately citing the source or without obtaining permission in necessary cases.
3-1.4 False attribution or scientific leasing: This involves falsely attributing the author(s) to an institution, center, educational, or research group that did not contribute to the original research. It also refers to situations where the author(s) hire another individual to conduct the research and subsequently publish it under their own name with minimal involvement without acknowledging the researchers as authors.
3-2 Using the original or translation of a text published by others in a manuscript must adhere to the following criteria:
3-2-1 If a figure, table, questionnaire, or a significant part of the text is utilized or translated as an exact copy of the original text, in addition to placing the text in quotation marks and citing the source, written permission must be obtained from the copyright owner of the original text.
3-2-2 The source must be acknowledged if the text or its translation is used as a quotation, summary, conclusion, or idea.
Note: The contents of this article also apply to previously published materials by the author(s) of the manuscript.
3.3 All researchers are required to report any instances of fraud to the research sponsoring institution, the director, or the person in charge of the author's/authors' workplace or educational institution, as appropriate, in a confidential manner if they have a reasonable certainty that fraud has occurred.
3.4 The editor-in-chief may investigate potential fraud in received manuscripts; however, if the editor-in-chief becomes aware of a possibility of fraud, they are required to report the concern to the research sponsoring institution, the director, or the person in charge of the author's/authors' workplace or educational institution, as appropriate, in a confidential manner. This allows for the fraud to be confirmed or refuted through an investigation. The investigation will be conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
Note: Until fraud is confirmed, unrelated individuals should not be informed of the possibility of fraud or the ongoing investigations.
3.5 If the editor-in-chief determines that fraud has occurred, they must take one or more of the following actions, depending on the severity of the fraud:
3.5.1 Refusing to publish the manuscript (if the manuscript has not yet been published).
3.5.2 Retracting and flagging the article if it has been published and including a notice on the article page.
3.5.3 Publishing a correction or disclaimer in a future issue of the journal (if it has been published).
3.5.4 Refusing to accept future articles from the author(s) for a specified period.
3.5.5 Deleting previous articles authored by the author(s) from the journal's website or database.
3.5.6 Informing the journal publisher about the fraud.
3.5.7 Sending documentation to the Vice-Chancellor for Research of the universities of the author(s) who committed the fraud.
3.5.8 Informing the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry.
3.5.9 Sending documentation to the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry and following up on the matter through the committee.
Chapter 4: Overlapping Publications
4-1 If a print or electronic journal has already published a manuscript or is considering it for publication, it is improper to submit the same manuscript to another journal or republish it.
Note: If the author(s) of a manuscript that is under consideration for publication in a journal decide to submit the manuscript to another journal for any reason, they must first notify the first journal of their withdrawal from publication in writing and obtain the approval of the first journal. This is possible no later than before the manuscript is accepted for publication in the first journal and only with the approval of the first journal.
4-2 When submitting a manuscript that contains a significant amount of an article under consideration or published for consideration and publication as a scientific research article, the author(s) must inform the editor of this in a letter.
Note: It is permissible to repeat parts of the "Materials and Methods" section in subsequent articles by the same author(s) if necessary, but the reference must be cited in any case.
4-3 If an article has previously been published in print or electronic form or is under review for publication, it is permissible to submit a translation of the same article into another language for review and publication in another journal, provided that the editors of both journals agree and that readers are informed.
Chapter 5: Conflict of Interest
5.1 Conflict of interest is the existence of any financial or non-financial interest that may influence the author, reviewer, or editor to express their honest opinion. The existence of a conflict of interest is not considered an ethical objection to the manuscript.
5.2 The author(s) of the manuscript must clearly declare any conflict of interest that is hidden from the audience in the text or at the bottom of the manuscript.
Note: The contract between the researchers and the research sponsor should not include any prohibition on declaring a conflict of interest in the manuscript.
5.3 The author(s) must clearly identify the sources of funding for the research and writing of the article.
Chapter 6: Privacy and Confidentiality
6-1 Personal identification of information of subjects, research staff, or any other individuals other than the authors of the manuscript and those who are acknowledged must not be included in the text of the manuscript, photographs, genealogies, or any other part, unless the individual in question or their legal representative has provided written informed consent for the publication of that information.
Note 1: In the case of photographs of individuals, any covering must be such that it does not lead to the identification of the individual. Covering the eyes alone is insufficient unless written informed consent has been obtained.
Note 2: If it is not possible to publish the manuscript without maintaining complete confidentiality of all identifying information or data that could lead to the identification of the individuals mentioned above, and if obtaining informed consent is not feasible, the Regional Ethics Committee will be responsible for examining the merits of the claim regarding lack of access to the individuals mentioned and the necessity of publishing the information, ultimately deciding on its publication.
Note 3: The publication of information that has already been made publicly available in a proper manner does not require informed consent.
6-2 The editor-in-chief, editorial board, and reviewers must keep all details of the review and evaluation process of the article registered in the system confidential. Except in cases where the evaluation is conducted in an open manner, all stages of the evaluation process must remain anonymous, and the names of the reviewers must not be disclosed. Reviewers are also required to keep all information pertaining to the articles confidential.
Chapter 7: Duties of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board
7.1 Publication Decisions
The editor-in-chief of a peer-reviewed journal is responsible for selecting the articles to be published in each issue of the journal. At the request and guidance of the editorial board or the journal's sponsoring organization, the editor-in-chief may adhere to specific policies and take action on issues such as negligence, copyright, and plagiarism. In such cases, the editor-in-chief may consult with editorial board members or the sponsoring organization's officers to make a decision. The final decision must be mutually agreed upon by the sponsoring organization and the publisher.
7.2 Peer Review
7.2.1 The editor-in-chief must assure the audience that the journal's review process will be fair, impartial, and timely. Research articles must be reviewed by at least two independent external reviewers, and the editor-in-chief may seek the opinion of additional experts if necessary.
7.2.2 The editor-in-chief or scientific secretary should select a reviewer who is specialized in the article's subject and should strive to avoid selecting non-specialist reviewers. The editor-in-chief must examine any potential conflicts of interest and carefully consider the issues raised by the reviewers to ensure the impartiality of the review process.
7.2.3 The responsibility for initial acceptance and compliance with ethical publication standards lies with the editor-in-chief. If articles are accepted outside the designated channel and sent to the technical unit, the legal responsibility will rest with the editor-in-chief. The publisher will only review articles submitted through the website of the Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences.
7.3 Fairness in Work
The editor-in-chief should review manuscripts without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, citizenship, or political affiliation.
7.4 Confidentiality
The editor-in-chief and specialist editors must keep any information regarding the manuscript, the corresponding author, the reviewers, and potential reviewers confidential.
7.5 Conflict of Interest
7.5.1 Any conflict of interest involving the editor-in-chief and members of the editorial board must be disclosed to the publisher. The publisher may, if necessary, publish details of the conflict of interest.
7.5.2 The editor-in-chief or a member of the editorial board must not treat an article written by themselves, their family members, or colleagues any differently. Such articles must be treated in the same manner as any other submission.
7.5.3 The editor-in-chief must respect the interests of the publisher or the sponsoring organization. The editor-in-chief is responsible for any damages arising from actions that harm the interests of the publisher or the sponsoring organization in any way. The determination of the amount of damages shall be the responsibility of the party that has suffered due to the actions of the editor-in-chief.
7.6 Review and Investigation
The editor-in-chief should take reasonable steps when a complaint regarding publication ethics is raised. These steps generally include contacting the corresponding author and, if necessary, the institutions and researchers who contributed to the article. If the complaint is substantiated, the editor-in-chief should take one of the following actions:
7.6.1 Correction
7.6.2 Withdrawal
7.6.3 Expression of concern or any other relevant note
7.6.4 Any publication failure, even if a considerable amount of time has passed, should be investigated.
7.7 Care of Published Material
The editor-in-chief should protect the articles published in the journal by reviewing and investigating reports of publication misconduct (in research, printing, reviewing, and editorial board performance) in consultation with the publisher or sponsoring organization.
Chapter 8: Duties of Reviewers
8.1 Contribution to the Editorial Board's Decision
Peer review assists the editor in making decisions and the author in improving the article. It is a fundamental component of scientific communication and lies at its core.
8.2 Competence
If any reviewer feels that they do not possess the expertise to review the article assigned to them, they must inform the editor and declare their withdrawal from reviewing that article.
8.3 Confidentiality
8.3.1 Any manuscript sent to the reviewers must remain confidential and not be shared with anyone else unless permitted by the editor-in-chief.
8.3.2 If a violation of confidentiality is established, the editor-in-chief must notify the Research Ethics Committee of the situation and take one or more of the following actions based on the violation:
8.3.2.1 Refrain from publishing the reviewer's other manuscripts (if the manuscript has not yet been published).
8.3.2.2 Write a note and remove the reviewer from the journal's list of reviewers.
8.3.2.3 Publish a correction or disclaimer in a future issue of the journal (if the article has been published).
8.3.2.4 Refrain from accepting future articles from the author(s) for a specified period.
8.3.2.5 Remove previous articles by the author(s) from the journal's website or database.
8.3.2.6 Inform the journal publisher of the violation.
8.3.2.7 Submit documentation to the Vice-Chancellor for Research of the university of the author(s) who committed the violation.
8.3.2.8 Inform the Research Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry.
8.3.2.9 Submit documentation to the Ethics Committee of the relevant ministry and follow up on the matter through the committee.
8.4 Standards of Impartiality
Reviews must be conducted impartially. Criticism of the author is not acceptable. Reviewers must express their opinions clearly and with justifications. Any insult directed at the author(s) is considered a violation and may be referred to the Research Ethics Committee. The editor may also implement any of the actions outlined in Section 5 of Chapter 3 of this guide.
8.5 Review of References
Reviewers must identify related materials that are not mentioned in the text of the article; they must also assess any similarities and overlaps between the manuscript and previously published articles and report them to the editor if observed.
8.6 Conflict of Interest
Unpublished materials from a manuscript should not be used in the reviewer's own article without the author's consent. Information and ideas obtained during the review must be kept confidential and not used for personal gain.
Chapter 9: Retraction
9.1 Since the retraction of an article is registered in the database, it can damage the reputation of the researcher or the journal in the long term. For this reason, the reasons for retraction must be very clear and verifiable; in particular, a distinction must be made between human error and intentional scientific misconduct. The journal can only retract an article after the error of the author(s) is proven.
9.1.1 Human error: Errors in data collection or classification, unreliable statistical analysis, and similar matters not questioned in the review are considered human error.
9.1.2 Intentional scientific misconduct: Submitting an article to multiple journals simultaneously, conflicting goals, data fabrication or manipulation, non-compliance with research rules, and data falsification, including image manipulation and plagiarism, are examples of these misconducts.
Note: Until the violation is proven, all correspondence between the journal and the author(s) is considered confidential.
9-2 An article is retracted by providing reasons to the author(s). If the author(s) does not respond to the journal within the specified time or if their violation is proven, the article is retracted.
9-3 In the event of human error, when it is possible to reproduce the results of the article, the article is published with a clear statement of correction, the problem is resolved, and there is no need for retraction.
9-4 In the event of an intentional violation, the article is retracted.
9-5 If the article is published electronically, the editor may take one or more of the following actions after writing the reason(s) clearly on the journal website and at the beginning of the article:
9-5-1 Mentioning the phrase "Retracted" at the beginning and end of the article title and a clear explanation of the reason for retraction in the article abstract section. Removing the full text of the article along with its abstract.
9-5-2 Mentioning the phrase "Retracted" at the beginning and end of the article title and a clear explanation of the reason for retraction in the article abstract section. Removing the full text of the article but not its abstract.
9-5-3 Using a watermark in the text of all pages of the article and mentioning "Retracted" in the text if the original article is not removed.
9-5-4 Informing and sending documents to the university's research ethics committee.
9-5-5 Informing and sending documents to the research ethics committee of the university of the corresponding author.
9-5-6 Informing and sending documents to the relevant ministry's research ethics committee.
9-5-7 Informing and sending documents to the publisher.
9-5-8 Refusing to accept future articles by the author(s) for a certain period of time.
Chapter 10: Article Withdrawal
10.1 Before the journal makes a final decision on the article, the corresponding author may withdraw the article.
10.2 In this case, a clear explanation from the author(s) to the journal is required.
10.3 The editor-in-chief is free to return the article to the author.
10.4 If the author clearly states the following after submitting the article and before making the final decision, the article will be returned with the editor-in-chief's consent.
10.4.1 Declaration of a defect in the ethics codes
10.4.2 Declaration of a discrepancy in the data with a reason
10.4.3 Declaration of an error in the method or results with a reason
10.5 The editor-in-chief may return the article before publication in the following cases. The return of the article after the official announcement of acceptance for the following reasons is possible at the editor-in-chief's decision.
10.5.1 Detection of errors in data or methodology
10.5.2 Detection of fraud according to Chapter 3
10.5.3 Failure to comply with the rules of Chapter 2 regarding authorship by the author(s)
10.5.4 Detection of plagiarism
10.5.5 Detection of any publication error
10.6 If the article is included in the list of accepted articles, the journal publishes it with a clear reason. In this case, the editor can act according to the following paragraph.
10.6.1 PDF and HTML of the article are not published, and only the title and abstract of the article are included, along with a reason. This article does not have a page number and does not belong to any issue; it should be categorized in the "Articles Ready for Publication" section. The editor-in-chief simply announces that the article has been withdrawn following the publisher's or copyright holder's policy, with a reference to this guideline.
10.7 In the event of a court order, and under special circumstances such as the risk of publication, the potential misrepresentation of scientific information, the disclosure of confidential information, or any risks associated with the data being at risk, the article may be removed entirely. In this case, only the title of the article and the names of the author(s) will remain, while all other information will be removed from the database. This action can only be undertaken by order of the journal's editor-in-chief.
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