Publication Ethics

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors should ensure that their work is original and has not been previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Authors should avoid any form of plagiarism and properly cite all sources used in their work.
Authors should ensure that all those who have made significant contributions to the work are acknowledged as authors.
Authors should declare any potential conflicts of interest that could be perceived as influencing the results or interpretation of their research.
Authors should ensure that their data and results are accurate, and that they have provided sufficient detail and references to enable others to replicate their work.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors should strive to be fair, objective and impartial in their decisions, without being influenced by personal biases or preferences.
Editors should ensure the confidentiality of all submissions and not disclose any information about the submission to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and editorial board members.
Editors should declare any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their editorial decisions, and recuse themselves from handling submissions where necessary.
Editors should ensure that all submissions are evaluated based on their scientific merit, regardless of the author's identity, affiliation or nationality.
Editors should provide clear instructions to authors and reviewers regarding the submission and review process, as well as the criteria for acceptance or rejection.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers should provide constructive and unbiased feedback to the author, without being influenced by personal biases or preferences.
Reviewers should maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and not share it with anyone else without permission from the editor.
Reviewers should declare any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their review, and decline to review submissions where necessary.
Reviewers should complete their reviews in a timely manner, and inform the editor if they are unable to meet the deadline.
Reviewers should evaluate the manuscript based on scientific merit, providing feedback that is clear, thorough, and helpful to the author and editor.

In addition to these guidelines, it is important for all parties to follow the ethical standards and guidelines set by their respective academic and professional organizations, and to report any suspected ethical violations to the appropriate authorities.

Authorship and Contribution

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences defines clear criteria for authorship and contributorship to ensure proper credit is given to those who have made substantial contributions to the research. Authorship should reflect substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, and interpretation of the research. To be considered an author, an individual must meet the following criteria: (1) significant involvement in the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the study; (2) substantial contributions to drafting or critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; (3) approval of the final version of the manuscript; and (4) agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring its accuracy and integrity. An "Author Contribution" section must be included in the manuscript, as outlined in the Author Guidelines. This section should clearly describe the specific contributions of each author to the research and manuscript preparation.

Contributors who do not meet these authorship criteria, but have supported the research in other ways, such as providing technical assistance, funding, or general supervision, should be acknowledged separately in the manuscript.

Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, no changes to authorship, including the addition, removal, or reordering of authors, will be allowed. Any changes requested prior to acceptance must be clearly justified and approved by all authors involved

Complaints and Appeals

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences has a structured process for handling complaints and appeals related to editorial decisions, ethical concerns, and publication disputes. All complaints are reviewed fairly and impartially to ensure transparency and accountability in the journal’s processes. If an author, reviewer, or any other stakeholder feels that a decision made by the journal is unjust, they have the right to submit a formal complaint or appeal.

Complaints regarding any aspect of the journal’s procedures, including the peer review process, editorial decisions, or ethical concerns, should be submitted in writing to the editorial office. The complaint should be detailed, clearly outlining the specific issue, along with any supporting evidence. Upon receiving a complaint, the editorial team will assess the matter and, if necessary, initiate a thorough investigation. The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to the complainant in a timely manner.

In the case of appeals related to editorial decisions, such as the rejection of a manuscript, authors may submit an appeal if they believe the decision was made in error or was unfair. The appeal should include a clear rationale for why the decision should be reconsidered, along with any relevant supporting information. Appeals will be reviewed by the editorial board, and, if appropriate, the manuscript may be reassessed by independent reviewers. The final decision will be communicated to the author, ensuring a transparent and professional process.

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences follows international ethical guidelines for publishing, including those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to ensure that all complaints and appeals are resolved in an objective and fair manner. We are committed to maintaining an open and ethical publishing environment and addressing any concerns that may arise during or after the publication process.

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest includes any personal, professional, or financial relationship that could influence the publishing process. Authors must disclose any potential conflicts as early as possible, ideally when submitting a manuscript. Authors should clearly state any financial affiliations or support received from organizations funding their research in the "Funding" section. Any conflicts of interest must be explicitly disclosed in the "Conflict of Interest" section, as outlined in the Author Guidelines. If no conflicts exist, authors must declare this as well.

Editors must avoid handling manuscripts involving colleagues from their institution, past or current research collaborators, co-authors, or direct competitors. In such cases, another editor without any conflicts of interest will be appointed to oversee the review process to ensure fairness and transparency. Similarly, reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest. If a potential conflict arises, they should immediately inform the responsible editor so the manuscript can be reassigned to an impartial reviewer.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences is committed to transparency and scientific integrity, encouraging authors to share the data and materials supporting their research findings to enhance reproducibility and facilitate further studies. Authors must include a data availability statement in their manuscript, specifying whether the data can be shared. If data cannot be shared due to privacy, ethical, or legal constraints, authors should clearly state the reasons and, if possible, describe how other researchers may access relevant materials.

Ethical Oversight

1. Ethical Approval for Research

Research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must receive prior approval from a recognized ethics committee or institutional review board. The manuscript must include a statement confirming ethical approval along with the approval number or reference.

2. Informed Consent

Authors must obtain informed consent from all human participants involved in their research. The manuscript must clearly state that consent was obtained. If obtaining consent was not possible, authors must provide a detailed explanation and describe the alternative ethical measures taken.

3. Research Involving Animals

All research involving animals must comply with established ethical guidelines to ensure humane treatment. Authors must describe the measures taken to minimize harm, distress, and suffering. The journal expects strict adherence to ethical principles in animal research.

4. Confidentiality and Privacy

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all personal data is anonymized and that participant confidentiality is maintained. Identifiable images or personal information must only be included if explicit permission has been obtained, and this must be clearly stated in the manuscript.

5. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the research, review, or editorial decision-making process. Full transparency is essential to maintain the credibility of the journal.

6. Ethical Integrity in Publishing

The journal has zero tolerance for plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, duplicate publication, or any form of research misconduct. All submissions undergo rigorous checks to ensure compliance with ethical publishing standards. The journal follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for addressing ethical concerns and research misconduct.

Third-Party Content and Permissions

If a manuscript submitted to Heca Journal of Applied Sciences includes third-party images, data, figures, or any other copyrighted content, authors are required to obtain the necessary permissions from the original rights holders and provide proper attribution in accordance with copyright laws and ethical publishing standards. Authors must ensure that all permissions are secured before submission, and the journal reserves the right to request supporting documentation prior to publication. Failure to obtain appropriate permissions may result in delays or rejection of the manuscript. Heca Journal of Applied Sciences takes intellectual property rights seriously and will thoroughly investigate any claims of copyright infringement or ethical misconduct. If a violation is confirmed, the journal may take corrective actions, including issuing corrections, retractions, or legal notifications, as deemed necessary. Any disputes regarding intellectual property will be handled in accordance with relevant copyright laws and international ethical guidelines for academic publishing.

Publication Misconduct and Consequences

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing. We take any form of publication misconduct seriously, including but not limited to plagiarism, falsification or fabrication of data, multiple submissions, duplicate publications, and any other unethical research practices. All authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to international ethical guidelines, including those set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record. In the case of suspected publication misconduct, Heca Journal of Applied Sciences will conduct a thorough investigation, which may involve contacting the authors, reviewers, and institutions involved. If the misconduct is confirmed, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include issuing a correction, retraction, or expression of concern, depending on the severity of the issue. In cases of serious misconduct, the journal may also report the matter to the relevant institutions or authorities. The journal follows a strict no-tolerance policy for publication misconduct. Authors found to be engaged in such practices may face consequences such as rejection of the manuscript, retraction of the published article, and a ban on submitting future manuscripts to the journal. The specific actions taken will be in line with best practices for maintaining scientific integrity and may involve cooperation with other journals or research institutions to address the issue appropriately.

Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections

Heca Journal of Applied Sciences recognizes the importance of ongoing scholarly dialogue and the need for transparency in academic publishing. We encourage post-publication discussions that contribute to the integrity, accuracy, and advancement of scientific research. Readers, authors, and researchers are welcome to submit comments, critiques, or additional insights related to published articles. These discussions may be presented as letters to the editor, author responses, or independent commentaries, all of which will undergo editorial review to ensure relevance, accuracy, and professionalism.

If errors, inaccuracies, or ethical concerns are identified in a published article, Heca Journal of Applied Sciences will carefully evaluate the matter and take appropriate corrective action. Minor errors that do not affect the study’s findings may be addressed through an editorial correction or an erratum, while substantial issues that impact the validity or integrity of the research may result in a formal retraction or an expression of concern. The journal adheres to international ethical publishing standards, including guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to ensure that all corrections and retractions are handled transparently and responsibly. Any post-publication changes will be clearly noted on the article’s webpage, with a detailed explanation provided to uphold the credibility of the scientific record.