The publication of an article in Gema Journal is an essential building block in the development of a sound and respected academic network. This journal adheres to high ethical standards in publishing and expects all involved parties—authors, reviewers, and editors—to uphold these principles. The following outlines the ethical guidelines for all parties involved in the publication process:

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their work is original and does not contain any form of plagiarism. Proper citation and acknowledgment of others' works must be provided.
• Data Accuracy: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the data and findings reported in their articles. All research data should be presented honestly and without fabrication or manipulation.
• Authorship: Authors must accurately represent their contributions to the research and publication process. All contributors who have made significant intellectual or practical contributions to the work should be listed as authors, and others should be acknowledged.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their work or its interpretation.
• Human and Animal Rights: Authors must ensure that any research involving human participants or animals complies with relevant ethical guidelines and has received proper approval from ethics committees.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality: Reviewers must keep the content of the manuscript they are reviewing confidential and should not use the information for personal advantage.
• Objective Evaluation: Reviews must be conducted objectively, based solely on the quality and relevance of the research, without any bias towards the authors.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity during the review process and recuse themselves from reviewing if necessary.
• Constructive Feedback: Reviewers are expected to provide constructive and helpful feedback to authors to improve the quality of the manuscript.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

• Editorial Independence: Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based on the quality of the manuscript, ensuring the research is free from bias and adheres to academic standards.
• Confidentiality: Editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and must not disclose any information about the manuscript during the review process unless permitted by the authors.
• Fairness and Impartiality: Editors should evaluate manuscripts fairly, without regard to the author's gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
• Peer Review Process: Editors must ensure that a thorough, unbiased, and fair peer review process is conducted. They should select reviewers with expertise in the subject matter and ensure a balanced evaluation.
• Handling Conflicts of Interest: Editors should not make publication decisions influenced by personal relationships or financial interests. Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

4. Publisher’s Ethics

• Transparency: The publisher ensures that the publication process is transparent and that all parties involved are held accountable for their roles in the publication process.
• Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: The publisher will ensure compliance with national and international ethical standards in research, publication, and academic integrity.
• Withdrawal and Retraction: The publisher will enforce the retraction or withdrawal of articles in cases of significant errors, plagiarism, or unethical conduct.

5. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

Gema Journal takes ethical misconduct seriously. Any allegations of misconduct will be investigated promptly, and appropriate actions will be taken. These actions include retraction of articles, correction of the academic record, or notification to relevant institutions or authorities when necessary.