Publication Ethics

The integrity of the scientific record is maintained through a structured peer-review process. Each manuscript is subjected to a double-blind evaluation where the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed. At least two subject-matter experts are assigned to assess the methodological rigor and the originality of the research. This process is managed to ensure that a decision regarding the publication of the articles is reached within an average timeframe of six weeks, providing authors with timely feedback on their submissions.

Ethical standards in publishing are upheld by the editorial board through continuous monitoring of all submitted works. Potential instances of plagiarism or overlapping content are identified using specialized authentication software before the review stage begins. The guidelines established by COPE (https://publicationethics.org) are followed to address any concerns regarding research misconduct. Furthermore, the intellectual property rights of the contributors are respected, and the legal frameworks concerning the prevention of fraud in scientific works are strictly applied.

Accessibility to scholarly knowledge is facilitated by the implementation of an open-access policy. Under the Creative Commons Attribution license, the published articles are made available to the public without financial barriers. This approach allows the research to be read, downloaded, and shared by the international academic community. While the journal provides the platform for dissemination, the copyright is retained by the authors, ensuring that the ownership of the intellectual contribution remains with the original creators.

Transparency in the administrative and financial aspects of the journal is ensured for all stakeholders. Information regarding the evaluation criteria, and the status of the manuscripts is provided through the digital management system. Periodic reports are generated to reflect the journal’s performance and its standing in national and international citation databases. Communication between the executive office and the researchers is maintained to ensure that inquiries are addressed and the technical requirements for publication are met.

  1. Originality, Plagiarism, and Redundant Publication

Authors must ensure their work represents an entirely original contribution.

  • Plagiarism: Presenting the work, data, text, or theories of others as one's own is unethical and unacceptable. This includes unauthorized copying, paraphrasing without attribution, or claiming results from others' research. PQ utilizes the Samim-e Noor (https://www.samimnoor.ir) or Hamananjoo (https://tik.irandoc.ac.ir) to screen all submissions.
  • Proper Acknowledgement: If the words or work of others are used, this must be appropriately cited or quoted, and permission must be obtained where necessary. Information obtained privately (e.g., correspondence or conversation) requires explicit written permission from the source.
  • Multiple or Redundant Publication: Authors should not publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one primary publication (duplicate or redundant publication). Simultaneous submission of the same or substantially similar manuscript to multiple journals is strictly unethical and unacceptable.
  • Salami Slicing: A single study should not be improperly segmented ("salami-slicing") into multiple smaller parts to increase the number of submissions.
  • Permissible Reuse: Exceptions include preprints, abstracts, published lectures, or academic theses, provided these are disclosed upon submission. If prior work is reused, it must be appropriately cited and cross-referenced to avoid self-plagiarism or text recycling.
  1. Generative AI Use and Disclosure

While generative AI tools can support authors, human accountability and transparency are paramount. This is well described in guide for authors section.