Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Journal of Administration in the Global South (JAGS)

Journal of Administration in the Global South (JAGS) is firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity in scholarly publishing. The journal recognizes that ethical publishing is a shared responsibility among authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher. JAGS adopts and aligns its practices with the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), particularly the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/principles-transparency-and-best-practice-scholarly-publishing).

The journal maintains zero tolerance toward any form of academic misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, duplicate publication, and unethical authorship practices. Preventive and corrective measures are systematically implemented in accordance with COPE’s Ethics Toolkit for a Successful Editorial Office (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/ethics-toolkit-successful-editorial-office/develop-processes-help-identify-ethical-concerns ).

A. Publication and Authorship

All manuscripts submitted to JAGS undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, ensuring impartiality and academic objectivity. Editorial decisions are based on scholarly merit, including originality, methodological soundness, theoretical contribution, clarity of argument, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

Submitted works must be original and must not have been published, in whole or in part, in any language, nor be under consideration elsewhere. Redundant or overlapping publications are strictly prohibited. Acceptance of a manuscript is contingent upon compliance with legal and ethical standards, including copyright regulations and avoidance of defamatory content.

Authors may be invited to revise their manuscripts; however, resubmission does not guarantee acceptance. Rejected manuscripts will not be reconsidered unless under exceptional editorial circumstances.

B. Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors submitting to JAGS are expected to adhere to the following ethical responsibilities:

  • Ensure that the manuscript is an original work and accurately represents the conducted research
  • Confirm that the manuscript has not been previously published or submitted elsewhere
  • Provide truthful, transparent, and verifiable data; fabrication or manipulation is strictly prohibited
  • Properly acknowledge all sources, citations, and intellectual contributions
  • Ensure that all listed authors have made significant scholarly contributions to the work
  • Disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest
  • Participate actively and responsibly in the peer-review process
  • Promptly notify the editorial office of any significant errors discovered post-publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions

Any breach of these responsibilities may result in rejection, retraction, or further institutional notification.

C. Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers play a crucial role in safeguarding the quality and credibility of the journal. They are expected to:

  • Conduct reviews objectively, fairly, and constructively
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of all manuscript information
  • Provide clear, evidence-based evaluations and recommendations
  • Identify relevant literature that has not been cited
  • Alert editors to any suspected ethical issues, including plagiarism or substantial overlap
  • Decline review assignments where conflicts of interest exist

Reviewers must not use unpublished materials disclosed in submitted manuscripts for personal research or advantage.

D. Editors’ Responsibilities

Editors of JAGS are entrusted with ensuring the integrity, quality, and fairness of the publication process. Their responsibilities include:

  • Making editorial decisions based solely on academic merit and relevance
  • Ensuring a fair, unbiased, and timely peer-review process
  • Maintaining reviewer anonymity under the double-blind system
  • Safeguarding the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts
  • Identifying and addressing ethical concerns or misconduct in accordance with COPE guidelines
  • Issuing corrections, clarifications, or retractions when necessary, following COPE’s Retraction Guidelines (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/retraction-guidelines )
  • Preventing conflicts of interest among all parties involved in the publication process
  • Ensuring that published content adheres to internationally accepted ethical standards

Editors will take appropriate action when ethical concerns are raised, including investigation, author notification, and, if necessary, retraction or correction of published work.

E. Ethical Oversight and Misconduct Handling

JAGS actively develops and implements editorial procedures to identify and prevent ethical issues at all stages of the publication process, in line with COPE’s recommended practices (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/ethics-toolkit-successful-editorial-office/develop-processes-help-identify-ethical-concerns ).

In cases of suspected misconduct, the journal will:

  • Conduct a thorough and fair investigation
  • Provide authors with the opportunity to respond
  • Take proportionate actions, including rejection, correction, or retraction
  • Notify relevant institutions when necessary

F. Retraction, Correction, and Post-Publication Discussion

JAGS is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. When necessary, the journal will issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions in accordance with international best practices and COPE standards (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/retraction-guidelines ).

Closing Statement

By submitting to JAGS, all parties agree to uphold ethical publishing standards and contribute to a responsible, transparent, and globally inclusive academic environment. The journal serves not only as a platform for scholarly dissemination but also as a guardian of ethical and credible knowledge production in public administration and public policy.