The Southwestern Asian Heritage Journal is committed to conducting the processes of manuscript submission, peer review, publication, and post-publication in accordance with the principles of research integrity, accountability, academic independence, transparency, and respect for the rights of all participants. This policy has been developed with due consideration of the publication ethics principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Its purpose is to safeguard research integrity, the credibility of the scholarly record, and trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and the academic community. Detailed policies on specific areas, including similarity checking and plagiarism, peer review, the use of artificial intelligence, open access, and copyright, are provided in separate journal policies, of which this document forms a complementary part.
Authors are responsible for the accuracy, originality, and scholarly integrity of the content of their manuscripts and must ensure that their research has been conducted in accordance with relevant scientific and ethical principles. The information, data, findings, and sources presented in a manuscript should be accurate, properly documented, and verifiable to the extent possible. Authors are required to appropriately identify and cite the sources and works used in their research and must refrain from presenting fabricated, falsified, or manipulated materials, data, or results.
A manuscript submitted to the journal must not be under simultaneous consideration by another journal. Authors must inform the Editor-in-Chief of any prior publication or related content that may affect the evaluation of the manuscript. Authors are responsible for complying with all relevant research regulations, obtaining the necessary permissions, and ensuring the accuracy of the information provided. The journal’s detailed policies concerning similarity checking, plagiarism, and the use of artificial intelligence tools are provided on the relevant policy pages.
Authorship must be based on substantial and meaningful contributions to the conception, design, and conduct of the research, analysis or interpretation of data, and the drafting or substantive scholarly revision of the manuscript. Any individual who meets the criteria for authorship should be included in the list of authors, and all authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and accept responsibility for its content.
Including individuals who have not made a substantive scholarly contribution, excluding individuals who meet the criteria for authorship, or granting honorary or guest authorship is inconsistent with the journal’s ethical principles. Any change to the authorship list or the order of authors after manuscript submission must be made with the knowledge and consent of the relevant authors and in accordance with the journal’s procedures. Contributions by individuals who do not qualify for authorship should, where appropriate, be appropriately acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section.
Authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Board must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest that may affect scholarly judgment or decision-making. Conflicts of interest may be financial, personal, professional, institutional, or academic in nature. The existence of a conflict of interest does not necessarily constitute grounds for rejection of a manuscript or preclude participation in the publication process; however, it must be transparently disclosed and appropriately managed where necessary.
Authors must also disclose the sources of financial support for their research and, where applicable, the role of the funding body in the design and conduct of the research, data analysis, or decisions concerning publication.
The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board are responsible for safeguarding the independence and scholarly integrity of the publication process. Decisions concerning the acceptance, rejection, or further consideration of manuscripts must be based on scholarly quality, originality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and compliance with the journal’s requirements, and must not be influenced by personal, institutional, political, or commercial considerations.
Information relating to submitted manuscripts must remain confidential until publication or a final decision has been made. Editors and members of the Editorial Board must recuse themselves from decision-making when a conflict of interest exists concerning a particular manuscript. In addition, when a credible allegation or report of research misconduct is identified or received, the journal is responsible for investigating the matter fairly and based on appropriate evidence and for taking proportionate action where necessary.
The journal takes seriously any conduct that violates research integrity, including fabrication or falsification of data, manipulation of data or results, fabrication or falsification of references, plagiarism, redundant or duplicate publication, manipulation of authorship or the peer-review process, and the provision of false or misleading information concerning research.
When an allegation of misconduct is raised, the journal will conduct an initial assessment and, where necessary, request explanations and supporting documentation from the authors. If the matter requires investigation by the relevant institution, university, or research authority, the journal may refer the case to the appropriate body. Where necessary, investigations may be conducted either before or after publication. Any action taken by the journal will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the alleged misconduct and guided by established principles of publication ethics.
Authors have the right, where supported by substantive grounds, to appeal editorial decisions or decisions arising from the manuscript evaluation process and to submit complaints concerning the conduct of the publication process. Appeals and complaints must be specific, evidence-based, and relevant to the scholarly or ethical aspects of the manuscript evaluation process.
The journal will consider complaints and appeals confidentially and, where necessary, may consult relevant individuals or competent authorities. The submission of a complaint or appeal must not result in discrimination against the author or improperly influence the scholarly evaluation of the manuscript.
The journal is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the published scholarly record. If, after publication, a significant error, research misconduct, or other issue is identified that may affect the scholarly validity or credibility of an article, the journal may, depending on the nature and severity of the issue, publish a correction, issue an Expression of Concern, or retract the article.
These actions are intended not to conceal errors or erase the publication record, but to correct the scholarly record and preserve its integrity. Decisions concerning corrections or retractions must be appropriately documented and transparent, and, to the extent possible, information concerning the reasons for such actions should be made accessible to readers.
Research that requires ethical approval, legal authorization, informed consent, protection of confidential information, or institutional permission must be conducted in accordance with the applicable regulations and requirements. Authors are responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and providing relevant information concerning such approvals in the manuscript.
For research involving human participants, personal or confidential data, vulnerable groups, animals, or other subjects requiring ethical oversight, compliance with applicable research ethics standards is mandatory. In the fields of archaeology and cultural heritage, researchers must also comply with relevant legal and institutional requirements concerning excavation, study, documentation and imaging, sampling, access to collections, and the use of archaeological materials, cultural heritage objects, or associated data. Where necessary, the journal may request supporting documentation concerning research permissions or ethical approvals from the authors.
Detailed policies concerning specific areas of publication ethics are provided in the journal’s separate policies, including the Similarity Checking and Plagiarism Policy, Peer Review Policy, Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Related Tool, Open Access Policy, and Copyright and Licensing Policy. These policies complement the present principles and, where relevant to a manuscript, must be observed by authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Board.