Ethical Guidelines

Aims and Scope

The Arab Institute of Science and Publishing (AISRP) is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, transparency, and ethical rigor in scientific research and scholarly publishing across the Arab region and internationally. These guidelines serve as a comprehensive framework for all AISRP-affiliated journals, authors, reviewers, editors, and administrative staff, ensuring that every published work adheres to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

Rooted in internationally recognized best practices, including those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other authoritative bodies, these guidelines are designed to support all stakeholders—researchers, editors, reviewers, academic societies, funding agencies, and publishers—in navigating the complex ethical landscape of modern scholarly communication.

This document reflects the latest updates as of April 30, 2025, incorporating emerging issues such as artificial intelligence use, systemic manipulation, and evolving standards in research transparency.

Ethical Framework and Core Principles

AISRP’s ethical framework is grounded in the principles of honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility. We emphasize the importance of maintaining public trust in science by promoting transparency in research methods, data reporting, and publication processes. Our commitment extends to protecting the rights and dignity of research participants, fostering diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that editorial decisions are free from undue influence.

International Standards and Resources

AISRP aligns its policies with globally recognized ethical standards and encourages adherence to the following key resources:

	Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): Provides comprehensive guidance on ethical publishing practices, including handling misconduct and conflicts of interest. AISRP journals actively implement COPE’s Core Practices to uphold integrity.
	International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE): Sets criteria for authorship, disclosure, and clinical trial reporting, which AISRP adopts to ensure clarity and accountability.
	US Office of Research Integrity (ORI): Offers frameworks for investigating and managing scientific misconduct.
	EuCheMS Ethical Guidelines: Establishes standards for chemical and molecular sciences research.
	EQUATOR Network: Promotes transparent and accurate reporting of health research through standardized guidelines such as CONSORT, STROBE, and PRISMA.

Academic Debate and Post-Publication Dialogue

AISRP values open, respectful academic discourse as essential to scientific progress. Journals are encouraged to facilitate constructive post-publication engagement through multiple channels, including:

	Formal letters to the editor that allow readers to critique or expand upon published work.
	Moderated online forums or comment sections that enable ongoing scholarly discussion.
	Author responses to critiques, fostering transparency and dialogue.

This approach helps correct errors, clarify findings, and advance knowledge collaboratively.

Appeals Process

To ensure fairness and transparency, AISRP provides a clear mechanism for authors and reviewers to appeal editorial decisions. Appeals must be submitted with a detailed explanation and supporting evidence. An independent editorial panel will review appeals impartially, and the final decision will be communicated promptly and considered binding.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Research and Publishing

Recognizing the growing role of AI technologies, AISRP provides specific guidance to ensure ethical use:

Permitted Uses
AI tools may assist with language editing, data analysis, summarization, or formatting, provided their use is fully disclosed.
Mandatory Disclosure
Authors must transparently report AI involvement in the Methods or Acknowledgements sections, specifying the tools and extent of use.
Authorship Exclusion
AI cannot be credited as an author since it lacks accountability and intellectual contribution per ICMJE criteria.
Peer Review
Reviewers may use AI to enhance feedback quality but must safeguard manuscript confidentiality and avoid unauthorized data sharing.
Responsibility
Authors retain full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of their work, regardless of AI assistance.

Authorship and Contributor Roles

AISRP strictly follows ICMJE authorship criteria, requiring that all listed authors:

	Make substantial contributions to the conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation.
	Participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript.
	Approve the final version for publication.
	Accept accountability for all aspects of the work, ensuring questions related to accuracy or integrity are appropriately addressed.

Additional policies include:

	Deceased Authors: Contributions of deceased individuals should be acknowledged with a footnote explaining their role.
	Name Changes: Requests for author name changes post-publication will be handled confidentially and sensitively to respect privacy.
	Authorship Disputes: Should be resolved through institutional mediation or arbitration, with AISRP facilitating communication but not adjudicating disputes.

Citation Practices

Proper citation is fundamental to scholarly communication. AISRP mandates:

	Accurate and complete referencing of all sources.
	Avoidance of excessive self-citation or citation stacking aimed at artificially inflating metrics.
	Prohibition of citation cartels or coercive citation practices.
	Encouragement of citing diverse and relevant literature to reflect the breadth of research.

Commercial Influence and Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions must remain independent of commercial interests. AISRP requires:

	Clear identification and labeling of sponsored content or advertisements.
	Transparency regarding any financial relationships that could influence editorial judgment.
	Assurance that commercial considerations do not affect peer review or publication decisions.

Summary

The AISRP Best Practice Guidelines embody a comprehensive commitment to uphold the highest standards of research integrity, transparency, and fairness in scholarly publishing. All participants—authors, reviewers, editors, and staff—are expected to adhere rigorously to these principles to preserve trust in the scientific record and advance knowledge responsibly.

For questions or clarifications, please contact: ethics@aisrp.org

Last updated: April 30, 2025

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عنوان المكتب

رقم التليفون

عنوان البريد الإلكتروني

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