Statement of Ethics
The Wah Academia Journal of Social Sciences (WAJSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. The journal adheres to internationally recognized best practices to ensure the credibility, reliability, and scholarly value of published research.
WAJSS follows the principles and guidelines established by leading global organizations in scholarly publishing, including:
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) – Principles of Transparency and Best Practice https://doaj.org/apply/guide/
These guidelines form the ethical foundation of the journal’s editorial and publication practices.
Responsibilities of the Publisher and Editorial Board
The Publisher and Editorial Board of WAJSS are responsible for:
- Ensuring independence of editorial decisions
- Maintaining confidentiality of submissions and peer-review processes
- Preventing conflicts of interest
- Safeguarding academic freedom
- Upholding transparency in editorial management
All editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
Commercial, institutional, or personal interests do not influence publication outcomes.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors submitting to WAJSS must ensure that:
- Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted manuscripts are original and have not been published or submitted elsewhere. All sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited. - Authorship
Only individuals who have made significant academic contributions should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript. - Data Integrity
Research data must be accurately presented. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting is unacceptable. - Ethical Approval
Studies involving human participants, surveys, interviews, or sensitive data must have obtained appropriate ethical approval from relevant institutions, where applicable. - Conflict of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence their research. - Multiple Submissions
Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is prohibited.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Peer reviewers are expected to:
- Conduct reviews objectively and professionally
- Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts
- Declare conflicts of interest
- Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback
- Avoid misuse of unpublished material
Reviewers must not use information obtained during peer review for personal advantage.
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors of WAJSS are responsible for:
- Managing a fair and transparent peer-review process
- Selecting qualified and independent reviewers
- Making impartial publication decisions
- Addressing ethical complaints and appeals
- Investigating suspected misconduct
Editors follow COPE flowcharts and guidelines when handling ethical concerns.
Handling of Misconduct
WAJSS takes allegations of misconduct seriously. Misconduct includes:
- Plagiarism
- Data fabrication or falsification
- Duplicate publication
- Authorship manipulation
- Citation manipulation
In cases of suspected misconduct, the journal follows COPE procedures, which may include:
- Investigation
- Author notification
- Correction
- Retraction
- Publication of expressions of concern
COPE guidance is followed throughout the process: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts
Retractions and Corrections
If published articles are found to contain significant errors or ethical violations, WAJSS may issue:
- Corrections
- Retractions
- Editorial notices
These actions are taken in accordance with COPE Retraction Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines
Open Access and Transparency
WAJSS operates under an open-access publishing model and follows DOAJ transparency standards regarding:
- Editorial governance
- Peer-review procedures
- Licensing and copyright
- Publication fees (if applicable)
- Ownership and management
Details are available in accordance with: https://doaj.org/apply/guide/
Commitment to Ethical Publishing
The Wah Academia Journal of Social Sciences is dedicated to promoting ethical scholarship, academic honesty, and responsible research dissemination.
By submitting to and publishing in WAJSS, all stakeholders agree to uphold these principles and contribute to the advancement of credible and trustworthy social science research.
