Ethics Policy

The Afrihorizon Journal is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior in all aspects of the publishing process. Our ethics policy is guided by the principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and academic rigor. This policy outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved, including authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

  1. Originality and Plagiarism:
    • Authors must ensure that their submitted work is original and has not been published elsewhere.
    • Proper citation of sources and acknowledgment of other works are mandatory. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.
  2. Authorship:
    • Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript preparation should be listed as authors.
    • All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission.
  3. Data Integrity:
    • Authors must ensure the accuracy of data presented in their work.
    • Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is prohibited.
  4. Conflict of Interest:
    • Authors are required to disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the research or interpretation of results.
  5. Ethical Approvals:
    • Research involving human or animal subjects must comply with relevant ethical guidelines.
    • Evidence of ethical approval from an institutional review board or equivalent body must be provided upon request.
  6. Corrections and Retractions:
    • Authors are obligated to notify the journal promptly if significant errors or inaccuracies are discovered in their published work.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

  1. Fair Decision-Making:
    • Editors must evaluate manuscripts solely on the basis of their intellectual content, regardless of the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or institutional affiliation.
  2. Confidentiality:
    • Editors must ensure the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and not disclose any details to unauthorized individuals.
  3. Conflict of Interest:
    • Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest.
  4. Peer Review Integrity:
    • Editors are responsible for ensuring a fair and unbiased peer review process.
  5. Publication Decisions:
    • Editors have the final authority to accept or reject a manuscript based on its academic merit and relevance to the journal.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

  1. Objectivity and Fairness:
    • Reviewers must provide constructive feedback and avoid personal criticism of authors.
  2. Timeliness:
    • Reviewers must complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe to avoid unnecessary delays in the publication process.
  3. Confidentiality:
    • Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents.
  4. Conflict of Interest:
    • Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality.
  5. Acknowledgment of Sources:
    • Reviewers should identify relevant published work not cited by the authors and report any substantial similarities to other works.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

  1. Integrity of the Scholarly Record:
    • The publisher is committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic record and addressing any ethical concerns promptly.
  2. Transparency and Accountability:
    • The publisher ensures transparency in the editorial and peer review processes.
  3. Support for Ethical Practices:
    • The publisher provides resources and support to ensure that ethical standards are upheld by all parties involved.

Handling Misconduct

  1. Investigation of Allegations:
    • Allegations of misconduct, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices, will be thoroughly investigated by the editorial board.
  2. Resolution:
    • If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions will be taken, including issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.
  3. Appeals:
    • Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions or allegations of misconduct, which will be reviewed by an independent panel.