Publication Ethics

The Journal of Information Systems and Technology (SIENNA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. The journal adheres to the ethical guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The following code of ethics outlines the responsibilities of editors, reviewers, and authors involved in the publishing process.

 

For Journal Publishers and Editors

  1. Clearly define the journal’s name, scope, publication schedule, and accreditation status.

  2. Maintain transparency regarding the composition of the editorial board.

  3. Ensure clear relationships between authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and other stakeholders.

  4. Safeguard the confidentiality of all contributors involved in the submission and review process.

  5. Uphold intellectual property rights, especially regarding copyright compliance.

  6. Regularly review and communicate editorial policies to authors, editors, reviewers, and readers.

  7. Provide training and ethical guidelines for editors and peer reviewers.

  8. Ensure the regular publication of journal issues.

  9. Maintain adequate resources to sustain long-term publication operations.

  10. Establish networks for collaboration, dissemination, and journal promotion.

  11. Fulfill all legal and licensing requirements pertaining to publication.

 

Editorial Ethics

  1. Strive to improve the quality and integrity of journal content.

  2. Maintain the academic standards of published articles.

  3. Uphold editorial independence in decision-making and judgment.

  4. Protect the academic reputation of authors and the scholarly record.

  5. Facilitate timely corrections, clarifications, retractions, or apologies when necessary.

  6. Ensure that authors are responsible for formatting their work, while maintaining accountability for the content and claims made.

  7. Evaluate authors' conduct and transparency during the submission and review process to improve accountability and reduce errors.

  8. Avoid conflicts of interest and discourage biased evaluations.

  9. Encourage authors to revise and improve their work for publication readiness.

 

Peer Review Ethics

  1. Reviewers must assess manuscripts impartially and provide feedback that contributes to editorial decisions.

  2. Complete manuscript reviews promptly and in accordance with academic standards.

  3. Verify the integrity of corrected manuscripts against peer review expectations.

  4. Offer constructive feedback to support the development of high-quality manuscripts.

  5. Maintain the confidentiality of manuscript content and reviewer identity.

  6. Avoid reviewing manuscripts where a conflict of interest may exist.

  7. Follow objective criteria during the review process and refrain from correcting grammatical or typographical errors unless necessary.

  8. Focus on the manuscript’s originality, relevance, impact, and scientific validity.

  9. Review only within areas of expertise, and recommend qualified reviewers when appropriate.

  10. Remain open to diverse viewpoints and interpretations.

  11. Decline to review if the timeline cannot be met, and promptly inform the editor in such cases.

  12. Provide clear, objective, and substantiated reasons for recommendations, including:

    • Accepted without revisions

    • Minor revisions needed

    • Major revisions required (with re-review)

    • Rejected with possibility for future submission

    • Rejected due to major scientific flaws

  13. Ensure reviewed content is not used for personal or third-party benefit without permission.

 

Author Ethics

  1. Authors are responsible for the content, accuracy, and validity of their submissions, including methods, analysis, and data.

  2. Respond to peer reviewer comments in a timely and professional manner.

  3. Notify the editor if they wish to withdraw their submission.

  4. Clearly state any limitations of their research.

  5. Respect embargo policies and avoid public disclosure prior to official publication.

  6. Inform the editor if the manuscript is part of a broader or multidisciplinary study.

  7. Ensure the manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

  8. Immediately notify the editor or publisher upon discovering significant errors.

  9. Obtain proper permissions and provide acknowledgments for reused or third-party materials.

  10. Accurately cite prior relevant work and acknowledge previous findings or foundational research.

  11. Avoid citing publications not actually consulted.

  12. Provide documentation confirming ethical approval and data validity upon request.

  13. Respond to post-publication queries or concerns with transparency and due diligence.