Publication Ethics

Algora: Journal of AI, Data Science & Engineering is firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct throughout the publication process. The journal adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all authors, reviewers, and editors to comply with the following ethical principles.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit only original work. Any form of plagiarism—including self-plagiarism—is strictly prohibited. Manuscripts must not be under consideration or published elsewhere.

• Data Accuracy and Integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of their data. Data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation is unethical and unacceptable.

• Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper citation of all referenced work—including datasets, algorithms, methodologies, and prior research—is mandatory.

• Authorship and Contributions

All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the work. The corresponding author must confirm that all co-authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

• Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any potential financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest that may have influenced the research.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality
  Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared or used for personal advantage.
• Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

Reviews should be conducted impartially and respectfully, focusing on the manuscript's scientific merit, clarity, and contribution to the field.

• Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline assignments if they have any competing interests or cannot provide an unbiased review.

• Timeliness
  Reviewers should meet agreed deadlines and communicate promptly with the editor if delays are expected.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

• Editorial Decisions

Editors must make fair and unbiased decisions based on the manuscript’s originality, significance, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

• Confidentiality
  All editorial communications and manuscripts under review must remain confidential.
• Conflict of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from decisions involving manuscripts where they have a competing interest.

• Ethical Oversight

Editors are responsible for verifying that appropriate ethical approvals (e.g., IRB clearance or informed consent) are obtained for research involving humans or animals.

• Handling Allegations of Misconduct

Allegations of plagiarism, data manipulation, or other misconduct will be investigated thoroughly. The journal may issue corrections, retractions, or initiate institutional investigations as appropriate.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of the Journal

• Integrity and Accountability

Algora is committed to safeguarding the scholarly record and will act decisively to correct or retract articles when errors or misconduct are identified.

• Transparency and Fairness

The journal ensures transparency in editorial processes and decision-making, including clear communication of policies, fees, and review timelines.

• Corrections and Retractions

Corrections, clarifications, or retractions will be issued promptly and linked to the original article when necessary.

• Appeals
  Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions. Appeals are evaluated fairly and transparently, typically involving independent review.

5. Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

• Bias and Fairness

Authors must consider and address potential biases in datasets, models, and algorithms. Efforts should be made to mitigate unfair or discriminatory outcomes.

• Transparency and Accountability

Research in AI and data science should be transparent, reproducible, and include acknowledgment of model limitations and ethical considerations.

• Privacy and Data Protection

Research involving personal or sensitive data must comply with relevant data privacy laws and ethical norms. Informed consent must be obtained when applicable.