Publication Ethics
Publication Ethics:
The Syrian National Library Journal adheres to the highest standards of scientific and ethical integrity in publishing heritage and contemporary knowledge, starting from its responsibility to preserve and enrich the intellectual output. This framework represents the guiding principles governing our relationship with authors, reviewers, and readers, with the aim of ensuring the originality of content, its reliability, and the fairness of the publication process.
Article One: Confidentiality of Information and Fairness of peer review
The Editorial Board and reviewers are committed to complete confidentiality regarding:
1. The identities of authors and reviewers and all correspondence during the peer view process, which is conducted under a “double-blind” system.
2. The content of submitted research and the opinions of reviewers; none of these shall be used for personal purposes.
3. Confidentiality is guaranteed except in cases of detected misconduct (such as plagiarism), where the necessary legal and scholarly measures shall be taken.
Article Two: Criteria for Evaluating and Accepting Papers
1. Every submitted paper is subject to an initial review by the Editor-in-Chief to ensure its alignment with the journal’s objectives and its basic quality.
2. Eligible papers are sent to three specialized reviewers to provide detailed reports on their suitability for publication (acceptance without revisions, acceptance with revisions, or rejection).
3. Publication decisions are made based solely on objective criteria: significance, originality, clarity, and consistency with the journal’s specialization, without any personal or ideological considerations regarding the author.
4. Peer review results are communicated to authors in writing within a maximum period of one month, and the journal endeavors to publish the accepted papers within four months.
Article Three: Authors’ Obligations and Academic Integrity
1. Authors undertake to submit original and previously unpublished work, with clear acknowledgment of others’ contributions and proper citation in accordance with scholarly standards.
2. Refraining from submitting the same paper to more than one journal at the same time.
3. Full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest, and accurate and honest presentation of data and references.
4. Full compliance with authorship standards and submission requirements published by the journal, and completion of the required forms (such as declarations of the accuracy of information and obtaining the consent of all participants).
5. Constructive cooperation with reviewers’ comments and implementation of the required revisions.
Article Four: Editorial Board Obligations and Conflict of Interest Procedures
1. The Editorial Board is committed to neutrality and objectivity and refrains from using any idea or information from papers under review for personal benefit without written permission.
2. In the event that any member of the Editorial Board or their students wishes to publish research in the journal, the entire peer review process shall be delegated to the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editor to ensure complete impartiality.
Article Five: Disciplinary Procedures and Handling of Violations
1. Any allegations of misconduct (such as plagiarism, fabrication, or duplicate submission) are treated with confidentiality and seriousness, and investigations are opened immediately even if they arise after publication.
2. The accused party is granted a full opportunity to present their viewpoint and defend their work.
3. The journal reserves the right to take appropriate measures according to the severity of the violation, ranging from correction or internal withdrawal of the paper, to notifying the relevant authorities, and banning future publication.
4. If a breach of publication ethics is proven, the Journal’s Director, in coordination with the Editor-in-Chief, shall notify the researcher or researchers concerned to provide them with the opportunity to respond to complaints or allegations. If the misconduct is minor, the Journal’s Director shall resolve the matter internally without the need to take legal action in accordance with the adopted procedures. If the misconduct is serious, the Journal’s Director, in cooperation with the Editor-in-Chief, shall conduct further investigation to assess the gravity of the misconduct and take appropriate legal measures.
