Publication Ethics and Malpractices Statement

Sangia Nibandera Law Research is firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. This statement is developed in accordance with the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), as well as internationally recognized guidelines for academic publishing. This policy applies to all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. Any form of ethical misconduct is taken seriously and will be addressed in accordance with established procedures.

1. Ethical Principles

The journal upholds the following core principles:

  • Integrity in research and publication

  • Transparency in editorial and review processes

  • Accountability of all stakeholders

  • Fairness and impartiality in decision-making

  • Confidentiality throughout the publication process

2. Duties and Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are required to adhere to the following ethical standards:

2.1 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are entirely original. Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection tools, and the similarity index must not exceed 20% (excluding references, quotations, and bibliographies). Plagiarism in any form—including self-plagiarism, duplication, or unattributed use of others’ work—is unacceptable.

2.2 Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting or publishing substantially similar work in multiple journals constitutes unethical behavior.

2.3 Authorship and Contribution

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to:

  • the conception and design of the study

  • data collection, analysis, or interpretation

  • drafting or critically revising the manuscript

All co-authors must approve the final version and agree to its submission.

2.4 Data Integrity and Reporting Standards

Authors must present accurate and reliable data. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited. Sufficient detail and references should be provided to allow replication of the research where applicable.

2.5 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence the research or its interpretation.

2.6 Acknowledgment of Sources

All sources of information must be properly cited using appropriate academic standards.

2.7 Corrections of Errors

If authors discover significant errors after publication, they are obligated to notify the journal promptly and cooperate in issuing corrections, retractions, or clarifications.

3. Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

Editors play a central role in maintaining publication quality and ethics:

3.1 Publication Decisions

Editors are responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication based on:

  • academic merit

  • originality

  • clarity and relevance

  • alignment with the journal’s scope

3.2 Fairness and Non-Discrimination

Manuscripts are evaluated without regard to authors’ race, gender, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

3.3 Confidentiality

Editors must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, or publisher.

3.4 Conflict of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

3.5 Handling Misconduct

Editors will take appropriate actions in cases of suspected misconduct, including:

  • contacting authors for clarification

  • consulting reviewers or institutions

  • issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern

4. Duties and Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers contribute to ensuring the quality and credibility of published research:

4.1 Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers assist editors in making decisions and provide feedback to improve manuscript quality.

4.2 Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.

4.3 Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively and supported by clear arguments.

4.4 Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant work not cited by the authors.

4.5 Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline review if any conflicts of interest are present.

4.6 Timeliness

Reviewers are expected to complete reviews within the specified timeframe.

5. Peer Review Process

The journal employs a double-blind peer review system in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least three independent experts in the relevant field.

The review process includes:

  1. Initial editorial screening

  2. Similarity check (maximum 20%)

  3. Double-blind peer review

  4. Editorial decision (accept, minor revision, major revision, reject)

  5. Final evaluation and publication

6. Publication Misconduct and Ethical Violations

The journal defines misconduct as including, but not limited to:

  • Plagiarism

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Duplicate publication

  • Citation manipulation

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

  • Improper authorship attribution

All allegations of misconduct will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.

7. Retraction, Correction, and Withdrawal Policy

7.1 Retraction

Articles may be retracted if:

  • there is clear evidence of misconduct

  • findings are unreliable

  • plagiarism is detected

A retraction notice will be published and linked to the original article.

7.2 Correction

Minor errors that do not affect the integrity of the research will be corrected through formal notices.

7.3 Withdrawal

Manuscripts may be withdrawn before publication upon justified request by the authors or due to editorial concerns.

8. Complaints and Appeals

Authors may submit complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions. The journal will:

  • review the case objectively

  • consult independent reviewers if necessary

  • provide a transparent and reasoned response

9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All submitted manuscripts and related communications are treated as confidential. Personal data of authors and reviewers will be used solely for publication purposes and will not be shared with third parties without consent.

10. Ethical Oversight

The journal is committed to continuous improvement of ethical standards and aligns its policies with international best practices. Ethical compliance is regularly reviewed to ensure accountability and transparency.

11. Contact Information

For ethical concerns, complaints, or requests for clarification, please contact the editorial office:

Email: sangianibandera@lawusn.or.id