• Revised: January 1, 2025

Episteme is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. This policy ensures the integrity, transparency, and accountability of all research published in the journal.

1. Purpose

This policy aims to uphold ethical rigor in research by preventing violations of human dignity, public and private ethical standards, and scholarly integrity.

2. Research Ethics for Authors

• 1. Academic Integrity
  Authors must adhere to ethical standards throughout the research process, from idea generation to publication. This includes proper citation, responsible use of funding, and fair treatment of research participants.
• 2. Prohibition of Misconduct
  Research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and manipulation, is strictly prohibited.
• 3. Obligation to Report Misconduct
  If an author becomes aware of ethical violations, they must report them to the editorial board through appropriate channels.
• 4. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
  Authors must disclose potential conflicts of interest that may influence their research and take necessary measures to ensure transparency.

3. Openness and Data Sharing

• 1. Authors should promote open research practices while respecting confidentiality requirements.
• 2. Upon request, authors should share research data within the limits of intellectual property rights and ethical restrictions.

4. Authorship and Contributions

• 1. All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the research and be accountable for its content.
• 2. Ghost authorship and honorary authorship are strictly prohibited.
• 3. Individuals who contributed indirectly should be acknowledged appropriately.

5. Compliance with Institutional and Legal Guidelines

• 1. Authors must adhere to all legal, institutional, and funding body regulations relevant to their research.
• 2. The journal expects compliance with the ethical guidelines established by regulatory institutions and professional organizations.

6. Peer Review and Editorial Responsibilities

• 1. Episteme follows a double-blind peer review process to ensure fairness and impartiality.
• 2. Reviewers must provide objective and confidential evaluations, disclosing any conflicts of interest.
• 3. Editors and reviewers must not use unpublished material for personal or professional gain.

7. Research Ethics Committee

• 1. Episteme maintains a Research Ethics Committee (REC) to address ethical concerns related to submissions and publications.
• 2. The committee consists of the Editor-in-Chief, members of the editorial board, and external experts if necessary.
• 3. The committee investigates allegations of research misconduct and ensures due process.

8. Research Misconduct Investigation and Consequences

• 1. If research misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, falsification, duplicate publication) is suspected, Episteme will conduct a thorough investigation.
• 2. The accused authors have the right to respond before a final decision is made.
• 3. If misconduct is confirmed, the journal may take corrective actions, including:
• o Formal warning to the author(s).
  o Retraction or correction of the article.
  o Temporary or permanent ban on future submissions.
  o Notification to the author's institution or funding body.
  o Legal action in severe cases.

9. Research Participant Protection

• 1. If a study involves surveys, interviews, oral history, or analysis of sensitive data, authors must obtain informed consent from participants.
• 2. Researchers must ensure the anonymity and privacy of participants, and collected data should not be used for purposes beyond the stated research objectives.
• 3. Participants must have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without facing any negative consequences.
• 4. If ethical risks cannot be fully assessed by the researcher, it is recommended to seek approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or an equivalent ethics review body before conducting the research.

10. Confidentiality and Data Protection

• 1. Authors must ensure the confidentiality of participants’ personal data and comply with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR or applicable privacy laws).
• 2. Any ethical concerns regarding data use must be reported promptly to the editorial board.

11. Handling Ethical Disputes

• 1. Ethical disputes will be reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee.
• 2. Appeals to committee decisions must be submitted within 30 days of notification.

12. Policy Implementation and Updates

• 1. This policy has been in effect since January 1, 2025, and applies to all submissions and publications in Episteme.
• 2. The journal reserves the right to update this policy to reflect evolving ethical standards.