Commitment to Ethical Publishing

Verus Academic Publishing is fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics. Our policies follow internationally recognized guidelines, including those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We ensure that all parties involved in the publishing process — authors, editors, reviewers, and editorial staff — act with integrity, transparency, and respect for scholarly principles.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to our journals are expected to uphold academic integrity and responsible research practices. Authors must:

• submit original work that has not been published or submitted elsewhere;

• provide accurate, verifiable data and ensure appropriate citations;

• avoid plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and improper citation;

• acknowledge all contributors and disclose any conflicts of interest;

• participate in the peer-review process and respond to editorial requests promptly;

• ensure that all co-authors meet authorship criteria and approve the final manuscript.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors play a central role in maintaining academic quality and ethical publishing. They are responsible for:

• making fair and unbiased decisions based solely on scholarly merit;

• ensuring a transparent and timely editorial process;

• protecting the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts;

• managing conflicts of interest and avoiding situations that compromise impartiality;

• addressing ethical concerns, including suspected misconduct, according to COPE guidelines.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers contribute to the credibility and academic rigor of our journals. Reviewers are expected to:

• provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations;

• maintain confidentiality and avoid sharing or using unpublished material;

• identify potential ethical issues, such as plagiarism or data manipulation;

• declare conflicts of interest that may influence their review;

• submit reviews within the agreed timeframe.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

All manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening prior to review. Verus Academic Publishing does not tolerate plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or any form of research misconduct. Suspected violations are investigated thoroughly, and appropriate actions are taken, which may include manuscript rejection or retraction of published work.

Corrections, Retractions, and Integrity of the Scholarly Record

We are committed to preserving the accuracy of the academic record. When errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles, our editorial team follows COPE-recommended procedures to issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as needed.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose all potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of results, evaluation of manuscripts, or editorial decisions. Transparent disclosure ensures trust and integrity within the publication process.

Data Sharing and Transparency

We encourage authors to provide access to underlying data when possible, ensuring reproducibility and promoting transparent scholarship. Data availability statements help strengthen the reliability of published research.

Our Ethical Commitment

Verus Academic Publishing strives to foster a culture of ethical scholarship, responsible research practices, and respectful academic communication. Our dedication to publication ethics reflects our belief in the long-term value of credible, high-quality research and its essential contribution to the global academic community.