Journal Policies & Information

Submission Categories & Article Types

Original research articles, review papers, case studies, technical notes, and practice‑oriented reports aligned with the stated focus and scope are welcome.

All scholarly articles undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Only peer-reviewed content is considered for indexing.

Note: Only peer-reviewed articles are indexed. Editorial content is not peer-reviewed.

Author Guidelines

Authors can submit articles prepared as MS Word files by using the submission form available on our website. Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure you have read and followed all the guidelines detailed below. These guidelines are part of this comprehensive policy document and must be strictly adhered to.

Submission Compliance Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to confirm that their submission meets all of the following conditions. Manuscripts not adhering to these guidelines may be returned to the author for revision. The full guidelines are detailed in Section 2.2 (Author Guidelines) of this comprehensive policy document.

Online Submissions

Academians Publishers provides a streamlined online submission system to facilitate efficient manuscript handling. Authors may submit their manuscripts by completing the official submission form available on the journal's website.

The submission system is designed to securely collect all required information, including author details, manuscript files, and supplementary materials. Each submission is recorded and tracked within the editorial workflow to ensure proper handling, reviewer assignment, and communication throughout the review process.

All submitted manuscripts are processed through a structured editorial system that supports transparent peer review, editorial decision-making, and author correspondence.

Authors are notified of the status of their manuscript at each stage of the review process via official communication from the editorial office.

Manuscript Withdrawal Policy

Academians Publishers is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and efficient editorial process. Authors are advised to carefully evaluate their submission before submitting a manuscript to any journal published by Academians Publishers.

By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge that editorial screening, plagiarism checking, peer-review coordination, and administrative processing require significant editorial resources and time.

Editorial Policy & Initial Manuscript Evaluation

Peer Review & Editorial Evaluation

Every manuscript submitted to Academians Publishers undergoes a structured and transparent editorial and peer-review process. Only submissions that meet basic editorial standards are sent for external evaluation.

Initial Manuscript Evaluation

Upon submission, each manuscript is screened by the editorial team for scope, originality, and basic quality. Manuscripts may be rejected at this stage if they fall outside the journal's aims, lack originality, or contain major methodological issues. Authors are usually notified of this decision within 1–2 weeks.

Manuscripts that pass this stage are assigned to at least two independent expert reviewers for a double-blind peer review process.

Double-Blind Peer Review

Academians Publishers operates a double-blind peer review system, where the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and academic experience in the relevant field.

Peer Review Workflow

Reviewer Evaluation Criteria

• Originality and contribution to the field
• Soundness of methods and analysis
• Compliance with ethical and research standards
• Clarity of results and conclusions
• Adequacy of references
• Overall quality of writing and structure

Language & Revisions

Language editing is not part of formal peer review; however, reviewers may suggest improvements for clarity and readability. Final decisions are based on reviewer reports and editorial assessment.

Non-peer-reviewed content such as editorials is clearly identified.

Academians Publishers does not guarantee acceptance of manuscripts. All decisions are based strictly on academic merit and reviewer recommendations.

Final Editorial Decisions

Editorial decisions at Academians Publishers are made through a structured process involving initial screening, peer review, and final evaluation by the Editor-in-Chief or assigned editor. All decisions are based strictly on academic merit, reviewer reports, and relevance to the journal's scope.

• Publication Decisions: Editors evaluate manuscripts based on quality, originality, and relevance.
• Fair Review: Manuscripts are assessed without discrimination based on personal or institutional factors.
• Confidentiality: All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.
• Conflict Management: Editors must avoid handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.
• Ethical Oversight: The editorial team investigates ethical concerns and may issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern in accordance with publishing ethics standards.

General Ethical Framework

In addition to internationally recognized ethical guidelines, Academians Publishers applies these policies through its internal editorial workflow. All submissions are monitored by the editorial office, and ethical compliance is verified during both the initial screening and peer review stages. Any concerns related to misconduct, authorship, or conflicts of interest are handled directly by the editorial board in accordance with "COPE" (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

The publication of an article through Academians Publishers represents a vital contribution to building a respected and cohesive body of knowledge. It reflects the caliber of work produced by the authors and the institutions backing them. Peer-reviewed publications uphold the principles of the scientific method and the advancement of reliable research. Therefore, it is essential that all parties involved in the publishing process—including authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and the broader academic community—adhere to clear ethical standards and responsibilities.

Academians Publishers takes its commitment to ethical publishing very seriously, overseeing every stage with care and integrity. We ensure that commercial interests such as advertising and reprints have no influence over editorial decisions. Furthermore, the Publisher and Editorial Board actively collaborate with other journals and publishers as needed to maintain high standards and address any publishing concerns.

Duties of Authors

Authors submitting to Academians Publishers are required to ensure that their work is original, accurate, and properly referenced. All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism and ethical compliance before being sent for peer review.

• Reporting Standards: Authors must present an accurate and objective account of their research with sufficient detail to allow replication.
• Data Access: Authors may be required to provide raw data and should retain it for a reasonable period after publication.
• Originality: All submissions must be original and properly cite the work of others.
• Multiple Submission: Manuscripts should not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously.
• Authorship: Only individuals who significantly contributed to the research should be listed as authors. All co-authors must have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. Any changes to authorship (including addition, removal, or rearrangement of authors) must be made before the manuscript is accepted and require the written consent of all authors.
• Ethical Compliance: Research involving human or animal subjects must have appropriate ethical approval from the relevant institutional review board or ethics committee. Authors must include a statement of ethical approval within the manuscript, including the name of the approving body and the approval reference number, where applicable. For studies involving human participants, informed consent must have been obtained from all subjects, and authors must confirm that the research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. For animal studies, authors must confirm that all procedures complied with the ARRIVE guidelines and relevant animal welfare regulations.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or presentation of their research. This includes, but is not limited to, funding sources, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, expert testimony, patents, and personal relationships.
• Corrections: Authors must notify the journal promptly if significant errors are identified in their published work and cooperate with the editorial team to issue a correction or retraction as necessary.

Role of the Editorial Team

Editors are responsible for the overall quality and integrity of the journal's content. Their duties include:

• Making fair and unbiased publication decisions based solely on the academic merit of the submission and its relevance to the journal's scope.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and not disclosing any information about a manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and other editorial advisors.
• Recusing themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a personal, professional, or financial conflict of interest.
• Investigating any allegations of misconduct or ethical breaches in a timely and transparent manner, following COPE guidelines.
• Ensuring that all published content adheres to the journal's ethical standards and that any necessary corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are issued promptly and clearly.

Role of Reviewers

Reviewers are selected based on subject expertise and academic experience. Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers under a double-blind peer review process. Reviewer assignments and reports are recorded within the editorial system to ensure transparency and consistency.

• Contribution: Reviewers assist editors in making decisions and help authors improve their work.
• Timeliness: Reviewers should complete evaluations within the assigned timeframe. If a reviewer feels unqualified to assess the manuscript or cannot meet the deadline, they must notify the editorial office promptly so that alternative arrangements can be made.
• Confidentiality: Manuscripts must not be shared or discussed with others without the explicit permission of the editorial office. Reviewers must treat the review process as strictly confidential and must not use any knowledge of the manuscript for personal or professional gain.
• Objectivity: Reviews must be fair, constructive, and supported by clear arguments and evidence. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate. Reviewers should provide specific, actionable feedback to help authors improve their work.
• Source Acknowledgment: Reviewers should identify any relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. They should also alert the editors to any substantial similarity or overlap between the submitted manuscript and any other published paper they are aware of.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must decline assignments where they have a conflict of interest, including but not limited to personal, professional, financial, or institutional relationships with the authors or their affiliated organizations.

Policy of Screening for Plagiarism

Academic papers sent to Academians Publishers will undergo a plagiarism check using the Similarity Check / iThenticate tools. The editorial team will evaluate the similarity report to determine whether the level of textual overlap is acceptable. Manuscripts with unoriginal content, excessive self-citation, or unattributed reuse of previously published material may be rejected without further review. In cases of suspected severe plagiarism, the editorial board will follow COPE guidelines, which may include contacting the authors' institutions and issuing a formal retraction if the manuscript has already been published.

Policy on Conflicts of Interest

Academians Publishers requires full transparency regarding any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could potentially influence the research, review, or publication process. A conflict of interest exists when an individual has competing interests that could inappropriately influence their actions or judgment.

Disclosure by Authors:

Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial conflicts of interest at the time of submission. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Direct or indirect financial support (e.g., grants, funding, equipment, materials, or other resources) from any organization that may gain or lose financially from the publication of the manuscript.
• Employment, consultancies, advisory board positions, or other professional relationships with organizations that have an interest in the submitted work.
• Personal relationships, academic rivalry, or ideological beliefs that could affect the interpretation or presentation of the research.
• Patents, royalties, or other intellectual property rights related to the research.

Authors should include a formal conflict of interest statement in the manuscript, typically placed before the references. If no conflicts exist, a statement affirming "The authors declare no conflicts of interest" must be included.

Disclosure by Editors and Reviewers:

Editors and reviewers must recuse themselves from handling any manuscript where they have a potential conflict of interest. If an editor or reviewer identifies a conflict after agreeing to handle or review a manuscript, they must immediately notify the editorial office. The journal maintains a confidential conflict-of-interest database to assist in the appropriate assignment of manuscripts.

Handling Undisclosed Conflicts:

If a conflict of interest is discovered after publication, the journal will issue a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, depending on the severity of the omission and its impact on the integrity of the published work.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility Policy

Academians Publishers is committed to advancing the transparency, reproducibility, and reliability of scholarly research. We strongly encourage authors to share the data, code, and materials underlying their published work to facilitate verification, replication, and secondary analysis.

Data Availability Statement:

All authors are required to include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript, indicating where and how the data supporting the results can be accessed. The statement should clearly specify:

• Whether the data are publicly available or restricted.
• The repository or platform where the data are deposited (e.g., Figshare, Dryad, Zenodo, or an institutional repository).
• The persistent identifier (e.g., DOI) assigned to the dataset, if available.
• Any conditions governing access to restricted data (e.g., ethical or confidentiality restrictions).
• If the data cannot be shared for legal or ethical reasons, authors must provide a clear justification.

Recommended Data Repositories:

Authors are encouraged to deposit their research data in trusted, community-recognized repositories that provide permanent identifiers, version control, and long-term preservation. For data that are not suitable for public deposit, authors should make the data available upon reasonable request to the editorial office.

Code and Software:

Where computational analyses, simulations, or software are central to the research, authors are encouraged to make the source code and analysis scripts available in a public repository. Clear documentation should be provided to allow other researchers to reproduce the analyses.

Reproducibility:

Authors should provide sufficient methodological detail to allow other researchers to replicate the study. This includes, but is not limited to, detailed experimental protocols, statistical analysis plans, and any custom scripts or algorithms used.

Editorial Oversight:

The editorial team reserves the right to request raw data, code, or other materials during the review process to verify the results. Failure to provide access to these materials without a reasonable explanation may result in rejection of the manuscript. In cases where data or code are found to be incomplete or misrepresented, the journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Open Access Policy

Following international open access standards, Academians Publishers ensures that all scholarly work published here is freely accessible to everyone worldwide, promoting the broadest possible dissemination of research.

All articles published by Academians Publishers are made immediately available online upon publication, without any embargo period or subscription barriers. Readers are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of all articles, provided that the original author(s) and source are properly credited, in accordance with the applicable Creative Commons license.

Archiving & Digital Preservation

The journal ensures long-term digital preservation through standard archiving practices, which maintains a decentralized network of secure archives hosted by leading academic libraries worldwide. Through this arrangement, multiple copies of the journal's content are stored across geographically distributed nodes, ensuring permanent preservation. These participating libraries manage and safeguard the archives, allowing for reliable restoration and continued access to the journal's content in the event of any technical, economic, or environmental disruptions.

Academians Publishers is committed to ensuring that all published content remains accessible and discoverable for future generations. We utilize trusted digital preservation partners and actively participate in archiving initiatives to protect against data loss and technological obsolescence.

Copyright Policy

Academians Publishers is dedicated to upholding transparency, accessibility, and ethical publishing practices in alignment with the guidelines set by the Directory of Open Access Journals. Our copyright policy ensures that authors maintain ownership of their work while facilitating unrestricted access to published material for the global research community.

Corrections and Errata/Corrigendum Policy

Academians Publishers recognizes that errors may occasionally be identified in published articles, despite rigorous peer review and editorial oversight. We are committed to maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the scholarly record and will address any significant errors in a transparent and timely manner.

The journal distinguishes between minor errors that do not affect the scientific integrity of the work and major errors that impact the interpretation, validity, or reliability of the findings.

Types of Corrections:

Process for Requesting a Correction:

Authors, readers, or reviewers who identify a significant error in a published article should contact the editorial office immediately. The request should include:

• The full citation of the article (title, authors, volume, issue, page numbers, DOI).
• A clear description of the error and its location within the article.
• Supporting documentation or evidence, where appropriate.
• A proposed correction or clarification.

The editorial team will assess the request in consultation with the authors and, if necessary, the reviewers. If the error is confirmed to be significant, a formal correction notice will be published.

Publication of Corrections:

Correction notices are published in the next available issue of the journal and are linked to the original article. The original article will be updated with a footnote or watermark indicating that a correction has been issued, along with a direct link to the correction notice. Corrections are indexed and discoverable alongside the original publication to ensure full transparency.

Limitations:

Minor grammatical, typographical, or spelling errors that do not affect the scientific content or reader comprehension will not typically warrant a formal correction. Such errors may be corrected silently during the routine maintenance of the article's online version, with a note added to the article's metadata.

Retraction Policy

Academians Publishers emphasizes the significance of maintaining the integrity and completeness of the academic record. The historical archive of published research should be preserved and unchanged whenever feasible. Nevertheless, there may be instances where a paper is published due to misconduct or genuine mistakes. Although editors diligently oversee the review process, detecting every instance of misconduct or error remains exceedingly challenging. Consequently, it may be essential to amend the scholarly record. The decision to modify the record must be approached with utmost seriousness. The action taken is contingent on the specific situation and might include:

The aim of this action is to amend the literature and inform readers, not to penalize the author(s).

The editor of the relevant journal is responsible for overseeing an investigation into misconduct or unintentional error. Both authors and reviewers will participate in this process. The editor will determine the most appropriate way to amend the academic record. This process is guided by COPE's Retraction Guidelines and other recognized scholarly standards.

Small mistakes that do not compromise the integrity of the metadata or hinder a reader's comprehension of an article—and do not involve any scientific inaccuracies or omissions—are rectified by replacing the original article with a corrected version. If an author requests this action, the final decision will be made by the Editors and Editorial Panel Members.

Grounds for Retraction:

Retraction is considered when:

• There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of major error (e.g., miscalculation, experimental error) or as a result of fabrication or falsification of data.
• The article has been previously published elsewhere without proper cross-referencing, permission, or justification (i.e., redundant publication).
• The article contains unethical research practices or violates ethical standards.
• There is clear evidence of plagiarism or substantial unattributed reuse of previously published material.
• The authors have failed to disclose a significant conflict of interest that would have influenced editorial decisions or reader interpretation.

Retraction Procedure:

When a retraction is decided upon, the journal will publish a retraction notice that is clearly linked to the original article. The retraction notice will:

• Be titled "Retraction: [Original Article Title]."
• State the reason for the retraction clearly and objectively.
• Include the full citation of the original article and its DOI.
• Be freely accessible and prominently displayed on the journal's website.

The original article will remain available with a clear watermark or overlay indicating that it has been retracted, to ensure the scholarly record is preserved while being clearly marked as unreliable.

Removal:

In extremely rare circumstances, an article may be removed from the journal's website. Removal is considered only when the article is defamatory, violates legal rights, or poses a serious public health or safety risk. In such cases, the article's metadata (title, authors, DOI) will still be retained, with a notice indicating that the article has been removed for legal or ethical reasons.

Complaints and Appeals Process

Academians Publishers is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and responsive editorial process. We recognize that authors, reviewers, and readers may occasionally have concerns about editorial decisions, the review process, or the conduct of editors or reviewers. This policy provides a formal pathway for raising complaints and appealing editorial decisions.

Scope of Complaints:

Complaints may relate to:

• Editorial decisions (e.g., rejection of a manuscript).
• Delays in the peer review or editorial decision process.
• Perceived bias, unfairness, or lack of transparency in the review process.
• Unprofessional conduct by editors, reviewers, or editorial staff.
• Ethical concerns regarding a published article (e.g., undisclosed conflicts of interest, plagiarism, or data manipulation).
• Technical issues with the submission or publication system.

Appeals of Editorial Decisions:

Authors who wish to appeal a rejection decision or a major revision requirement may submit a formal appeal. Appeals must be based on substantive grounds, such as:

• A misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the manuscript's content by the reviewers or editors.
• The introduction of new evidence or data that was not available at the time of the original decision, which addresses the reviewers' criticisms.
• Clear procedural errors in the review process (e.g., failure to consider relevant aspects of the work).

Appeals should be submitted by the corresponding author via email to the editorial office, clearly stating the manuscript title, manuscript ID, the reasons for the appeal, and any supporting evidence.

Appeal Procedure:

• The editorial office will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 3-5 working days.
• The appeal will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated senior editorial board member who was not involved in the original decision.
• The reviewer will consider the original submission, the reviewer reports, the editorial decision, and the author's appeal arguments.
• The final outcome of the appeal may be:
  • Upholding the original decision (rejection or revision requirement).
  • Reversal of the decision (inviting resubmission or acceptance).
  • Request for additional revisions based on reviewer feedback.
• The author will receive a written response outlining the outcome of the appeal and the reasoning behind it, typically within 2-4 weeks of receipt of the appeal.

Handling Complaints Regarding Published Content:

Complaints about published articles (e.g., plagiarism, ethical violations, or factual inaccuracies) will be handled in accordance with the journal's Retraction and Corrections Policy and COPE guidelines. The editorial team will conduct a thorough investigation, which may involve consulting with the authors, reviewers, and relevant institutional bodies. All parties will be informed of the progress and outcome of the investigation.

Confidentiality and Good Faith:

All complaints and appeals will be treated with confidentiality. Only those individuals directly involved in the investigation or resolution will have access to the details of the complaint. Academians Publishers expects all parties to act in good faith and to refrain from making frivolous or malicious complaints. Unsubstantiated complaints may be dismissed without further action.

Disclaimer

Publication Fee (Article Processing Charge – APC)

Academians Publishers is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publishing while ensuring accessibility and sustainability. To support the costs associated with editorial management, peer review coordination, typesetting, online hosting, and long-term archiving, we apply a nominal Article Processing Charge (APC).

Privacy Statement

Academians Publishers respects the privacy of all individuals involved in the publishing process. Personal information provided by authors, reviewers, and readers is used solely for the purposes of managing the editorial process, communicating about submissions, and improving our services. We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer personal information to third parties without consent, except as required for the fulfillment of contractual obligations related to publication. All data handling complies with applicable data protection regulations.

Advertising Policy

Academians Publishers may accept advertising on its website and in its journals, provided that the advertisements are relevant to the journal's scope and audience. All advertising content is clearly distinguishable from editorial content. The acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement by the Publisher, Editors, or Editorial Board. Advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement that is deemed inappropriate, misleading, or inconsistent with the journal's values and standards.

Journal Sponsorship & Sources of Support

Academians Publishers operates independently and maintains full editorial independence from any sponsoring organizations, funding bodies, or external partners. Information about any sources of financial support or sponsorship for individual journals or special issues will be clearly disclosed to readers. Sponsorship arrangements do not influence editorial decisions, peer review processes, or the content of published articles. The Publisher is committed to transparency regarding all sources of support and ensures that such relationships do not compromise the integrity of the publishing process.