Publication Ethics and Malpractice

The Libyan Open University Journal of Applied Sciences (LOUJAS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. We adhere to the guidelines set by international bodies and expect all parties involved in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—to follow these principles. Any form of unethical behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Authors' Responsibilities

  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must submit original, unpublished work. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. All submissions are checked for originality.

  • Data and Ethical Standards: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their research data. If the study involves human subjects or animals, authors must declare that all necessary ethical approvals were obtained and that the research was conducted in compliance with relevant regulations.

  • Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the research. All listed authors must have approved the final manuscript.

  • Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or other conflicts of interest that could be seen as influencing the research.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. They must not share or discuss the manuscript with others without authorization.

  • Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. All comments and suggestions should be based on the scientific merit of the work.

  • Disclosure: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and decline to review manuscripts where such conflicts exist.

Editors' Responsibilities

  • Fairness: The editor-in-chief and editorial board must evaluate manuscripts based on their intellectual content without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.

  • Confidentiality: Editors must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and potential reviewers.

  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest.

  • Publication Decisions: Editors are responsible for the final decision on a manuscript's publication, guided by the journal's policies and the feedback from reviewers.

Handling of Unethical Behavior

LOUJAS takes all allegations of unethical conduct seriously. In the event of a suspected breach, the journal will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with established guidelines. Depending on the severity of the malpractice, actions may include:

  • Rejection of the manuscript.

  • Notification to the authors' institution or funding body.

  • Retraction of a published article and a public notice of retraction on the journal's website.

  • A ban on future submissions from the authors.