Editorial Policies

1. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently by the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial board, free from influence by publishers, sponsors, or advertisers. All editors are required to declare any potential conflicts of interest prior to handling a manuscript.

ABSE maintains full editorial freedom to accept, reject, or request revisions based solely on the scientific merit, originality, and relevance of submissions.

2. Peer Review Integrity

ABSE employs a double-blind peer review process where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. Each submission is evaluated by at least two independent experts in the relevant field. The process ensures fairness, impartiality, and confidentiality.

• Reviewers are selected based on expertise, previous publication record, and neutrality.
• Authors may suggest or exclude specific reviewers during submission, but final reviewer selection rests with the editorial board.
• Review reports must provide constructive criticism and professional tone.

All peer review communications are confidential, and reviewer identities are never disclosed without consent.

3. Authorship and Contributions

Authorship must be based on substantial intellectual contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. Each listed author should:

• Contribute significantly to the research.
• Approve the final version of the manuscript.
• Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Honorary or guest authorship is strictly prohibited. Any changes in authorship after submission require approval from all co-authors and the Editor-in-Chief.

4. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any relationships, financial interests, or personal circumstances that could bias their judgment or interpretation of research. ABSE follows COPE’s Conflict of Interest guidelines.

Disclosures are published within articles when relevant, ensuring transparency for readers.

5. Data Availability and Research Transparency

Authors are encouraged to deposit data, software, and other relevant materials in public repositories whenever possible. Each submission must include a clear statement of data availability, referencing datasets or code repositories where applicable.

“ABSE supports the FAIR Data Principles—ensuring all published research is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.”

6. Plagiarism and Ethical Compliance

All submitted manuscripts are screened using iThenticate or equivalent similarity detection tools. Manuscripts with significant overlap or duplication are subject to editorial review and possible rejection.

ABSE does not tolerate data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation. Cases of misconduct are handled following COPE flowcharts and procedures.

7. Editorial Decision Process

The editorial workflow follows these stages:

1. Initial editorial screening for scope, format, and ethical compliance.
2. Assignment to associate editor or section editor.
3. Reviewer selection and double-blind evaluation.
4. Decision based on reviewers’ reports and editorial assessment.
5. Final proofreading and copyediting for publication.

Editors may recommend minor or major revisions. Final acceptance is granted only after all reviewer concerns are addressed satisfactorily.

8. Editorial Accountability

Editors are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the scientific record and must respond promptly to concerns regarding errors, ethical issues, or disputes. In cases of confirmed error or misconduct, corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are issued promptly.

9. Appeal and Complaint Procedures

Authors who wish to appeal a decision may submit a formal request to the Editor-in-Chief with clear justification. Appeals are reviewed by an independent editorial committee. Complaints regarding editorial conduct, review fairness, or publication ethics are handled transparently according to COPE guidelines.

10. Diversity and Inclusion Policy

ABSE values diversity among its editors, reviewers, and authors. The journal promotes equitable representation regardless of gender, geography, or institutional background. Editors strive to ensure inclusive citation practices and fair consideration of research from developing regions.

11. Advertising and Sponsorship

ABSE does not allow advertisements or commercial sponsorships to influence editorial decisions. Sponsored content is clearly identified and subject to the same peer review standards as all other publications.

12. Corrections and Retractions

Corrections, errata, and retractions are issued in cases of verified error, ethical violations, or scientific inaccuracy. These are permanently linked to the original article for transparency. Authors may request minor corrections prior to final publication; post-publication updates follow COPE Retraction Guidelines.

13. Policy Review and Updates

The editorial policies of ABSE are periodically reviewed to align with evolving best practices in academic publishing, open science, and digital dissemination. Any major updates are communicated to authors and readers through official announcements.

14. Alignment with International Standards

ABSE’s editorial framework complies with globally recognized publishing standards, including:

• COPE Core Practices for ethical publication.
• ICMJE Recommendations for authorship and manuscript preparation.
• DOAJ Best Practice Guidelines for transparency and open access integrity.
• GDPR and CAN-SPAM compliance for data and communication privacy.

These policies collectively ensure that every manuscript published in ABSE meets the highest standards of ethical scholarship, editorial rigor, and transparency.