Publication Ethics

EQUILIBRIUM: Journal of Economics and Development Studies (e-ISSN: 3026-4472) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Universitas Pattimura. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and take all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publishing process: authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

Our publication ethics are guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Best Practice Guidelines and aligned with international standards for scholarly publishing.

Duties of Editors

Publication Decisions
The editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts should be published, based on the manuscript's validation, importance to researchers and readers, reviewers' comments, and legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. The editor may consult with other editors or reviewers in making these decisions.

Fair Play
Editors evaluate manuscripts exclusively on the basis of their academic merit (importance, originality, validity, clarity) and relevance to the journal's scope, without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation.

Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the express written consent of the author. Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.

Vigilance over Published Record
Editors will take responsive measures when ethical concerns are raised regarding a submitted manuscript or published article, in collaboration with the publisher.

Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards
Authors of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed and an objective discussion of its significance. Underlying data should be represented accurately in the paper.

Data Access and Retention
Authors may be asked to provide the raw data of their study for editorial review and should be prepared to make such data publicly available, if feasible.

Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that they have written entirely original works. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable. All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior.

Acknowledgement of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

Authorship of the Paper
Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that might influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their own published work, it is the author's obligation to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate to retract or correct the paper.

Human and Animal Subjects
If the work involves human subjects, the author should ensure that the manuscript contains a statement that all procedures were performed in compliance with relevant laws and institutional guidelines, and that the appropriate institutional ethics committee has approved them.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer review assists the editor in making editorial decisions and, through the editorial communication with the author, may also assist the author in improving the paper.

Promptness
Any selected reviewer who feels unqualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or knows that timely review will be impossible should notify the editor and excuse themselves from the review process.

Confidentiality
Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by the editor.

Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.

Acknowledgement of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper should be reported to the editor.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.

Handling of Ethical Violations

Instances of alleged ethical violations will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines. This may include, but is not limited to, communication with authors and their institutions, publication of corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.

References

Our publication ethics policy is based on:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Best Practice Guidelines

  • COPE Codes of Conduct

  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) Best Practice

  • International Ethical Principles for Scholarly Publication