Ethical Considerations

The World Journal of Information Systems (WJIS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity in scholarly publishing. The journal follows internationally recognized best practices and ethical guidelines, including those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The journal expects authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers to adhere to these ethical principles throughout the submission, peer review, and publication process.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board are responsible for ensuring the integrity, quality, and fairness of the editorial process.

Editors must:

• evaluate manuscripts solely on their academic merit, regardless of authors’ nationality, gender, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs;
• ensure a fair and unbiased peer review process;
• maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts;
• prevent conflicts of interest in the editorial decision process;
• take appropriate action when ethical concerns or allegations of misconduct arise.

Editorial decisions are based on the manuscript's originality, scientific quality, relevance to the journal scope, and clarity.

The final decisions are responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief.

2. Peer Review Process

WJIS operates a peer review system designed to ensure the quality and validity of published research.

The peer review process includes:

• independent evaluation by qualified reviewers;
• assessment of originality, methodological rigor, and contribution to knowledge;
• confidential handling of manuscripts.

Reviewers are expected to:

• provide objective and constructive feedback;
• maintain strict confidentiality;
• disclose conflicts of interest;
• report suspected plagiarism, misconduct, or ethical issues.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to WJIS must adhere to the following principles.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published and is not under consideration elsewhere.

All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism or text recycling, is unacceptable.

Data Integrity

Authors must ensure that:

• data are accurately represented,
• results are not fabricated or falsified,
• sufficient methodological details are provided to allow replication.

Authors may be requested to provide raw data for verification.

Multiple or Redundant Publication

Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is unethical and unacceptable.

Redundant publication or salami-slicing of research results is discouraged.

Acknowledgement of Sources

Authors must properly cite all sources and acknowledge contributions from others.

4. Authorship and Contribution

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research.

Authors must ensure that:

• all authors have approved the final manuscript,
• all authors agree to its submission and publication,
• no qualified contributor has been omitted.

Practices such as guest authorship, honorary authorship, or ghost authorship are considered unethical.

Changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and justified to the editorial office.

5. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence the research or the review process.

Conflicts may include:

• financial relationships,
• employment affiliations,
• personal relationships,
• academic competition.

All manuscripts must include a Conflict of Interest Statement.

6. Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

Authors may use artificial intelligence tools (such as generative AI systems) to assist with language editing or formatting. However:

• AI tools cannot be listed as authors.
• Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the manuscript.
• Any use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript.

AI-generated content must not replace scholarly analysis, interpretation, or conclusions.

7. Data Availability and Transparency

WJIS encourages transparency and reproducibility in research.

Authors should provide a Data Availability Statement indicating:

• where the data supporting the findings can be accessed,
• whether the data are publicly available,
• any restrictions on access.

Whenever possible, authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in recognized repositories.

8. Ethical Research Practices

Research involving human participants, personal data, or sensitive information must comply with ethical standards and relevant regulations.

Authors must:

• confirm that ethical approval was obtained when required,
• ensure informed consent where applicable,
• protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants.

9. Corrections (Errata and Corrigenda)

Errors that do not invalidate the findings of an article may be corrected through formal notices.

Types of corrections include:

Erratum
Correction of errors introduced during the publication process.

Corrigendum
Correction of errors made by the authors.

Correction notices will:

• clearly identify the original article,
• explain the correction,
• remain permanently linked to the article.

10. Retractions

Retractions are issued when the reliability or integrity of a published article is significantly compromised.

Reasons for retraction may include:

• data fabrication or falsification;
• plagiarism;
• unethical research practices;
• duplicate publication;
• major methodological errors.

Retraction notices will:

• clearly identify the article,
• explain the reason for retraction,
• remain permanently available and linked to the article.

Retracted articles will remain accessible but clearly marked as “Retracted.”

11. Expressions of Concern

If credible concerns arise about a publication but the available evidence is inconclusive, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern.

This notice informs readers that:

• potential problems have been identified,
• an investigation is ongoing,
• further editorial action may follow.

12. Publishing Malpractice

Publishing malpractice includes any behavior that compromises the integrity of scholarly communication.

Examples include:

• plagiarism and text recycling;
• data fabrication or falsification;
• citation manipulation;
• fake peer review;
• image manipulation;
• use of paper mills or fraudulent manuscript services.

Suspected cases will be investigated following established ethical procedures.

13. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

When allegations of misconduct arise, the editorial office will:

1. conduct an initial evaluation of the claim;
2. contact the authors for clarification;
3. consult the editorial board if necessary;
4. notify the relevant institutions when appropriate.

Actions may include:

• rejection of the manuscript,
• correction of the article,
• publication of an expression of concern,
• retraction of the article.

14. Complaints and Appeals

WJIS provides a transparent mechanism for handling complaints and appeals related to editorial decisions or ethical concerns.

Complaints will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, if necessary, by members of the editorial board.

The journal aims to resolve complaints fairly, transparently, and promptly.

15. Archiving and Integrity of the Scholarly Record

WJIS is committed to preserving the scholarly record and ensuring the long-term accessibility of published content.

The journal maintains permanent access to all articles and ensures that any post-publication updates (corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern) remain clearly documented.