Ethics Statement

Focus and Scope

JFATWA is committed to rigorous publication ethics, enforced through a carefully structured peer review process. This process is intended to uphold the integrity and quality of the scholarly work we publish. Additionally, JFATWA proactively implements measures to prevent any form of publication misconduct. Authors who submit manuscripts to JFATWA must confirm that their submissions are entirely original and free from any copied or plagiarized content. By submitting their work, authors agree to adhere to the ethical guidelines and best practices as outlined by MyCite Selection Criteria, Elsevier's policies, and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines for Journal Editors. This adherence supports the journal's commitment to maintain ethical standards in publishing and upholds the trust placed in it by the scholarly community.

To preserve the integrity and quality of research publications, authors are expected to comply with ethical standards throughout all phases of their work. The outlined responsibilities below serve as a guide for authors:

Scholarly Reporting

Authors engaged in drafting research reports are obligated to deliver a precise and impartial depiction of their work. It is essential that the data underpinning the research be presented with accuracy within the document. The paper should include comprehensive details and references that enable others to replicate the study. Fraudulent or deliberately false statements are strictly prohibited and violate the ethical standards of the journal. Such practices are not tolerated under any circumstances and are deemed to undermine the trust and scientific integrity of the academic community.

Data Management

Authors are required to furnish the original datasets associated with their manuscript for editorial examination and, when practical, to share such data publicly in alignment with the Sherpa Romeo statement and the ALPSP-STM Statement on Data and Databases. Furthermore, authors should retain the underlying raw data for a reasonable duration after publication to facilitate potential verification processes or additional analysis by other researchers. This practice is critical for maintaining transparency and fostering trust within the scholarly community.

Scholarship Originality

AFTWA requires all authors to submit wholly original works. Accurate citation is mandatory when using others’ works. Plagiarism includes claiming someone else's work as your own, copying or paraphrasing substantial parts without proper attribution, or falsely attributing research results. Such actions are unethical and prohibited. Authors must ensure their submissions are original, not previously published, or under consideration elsewhere. JFATWA editors may use specialized software to check for similarities with existing literature. Submitting false information is unacceptable, and all borrowed material must be cited. For more details, refer to the JFATWA Plagiarism Policy.

Duplication in Publication

Transparency and Conflict of Interest Declaration: It is crucial for authors to reveal any potential conflicts of interest that may influence, or appear to influence, their research. This includes any financial, personal, or other significant relationships that could affect the findings or interpretation of their manuscript. Authors must also disclose all sources of financial support for their research within the manuscript. Ensuring transparency in these declarations helps maintain the integrity of the research and the trust of the scholarly community, fostering an environment of ethical academic practice and rigorous, unbiased scientific inquiry.

Significant Errors

Correction of Significant Errors: Should an author identify a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, it is their responsibility to promptly inform the JFATWA editor. The author must collaborate with the editor to either retract or amend the publication. This process is vital for upholding the integrity of the academic record and ensuring the reliability of the information provided to the research community.

Management of Materials

Management of Hazardous Materials: When research involves chemicals, procedures, or devices that pose potential risks, it is incumbent upon the author to clearly delineate these hazards in the manuscript. This explicit disclosure is crucial for ensuring the safety of those replicating the research, maintaining ethical research practices, and preserving the transparency and integrity of the scholarly work published.