Policies and Publication Ethics

The International African Review of Multidisciplinary Sciences (IARMS) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical publishing and editorial integrity. The following detailed policies outline the responsibilities of all participants in the publication process and provide guidance for maintaining scholarly excellence.

Editorial Policies

IARMS employs a rigorous, double-blind peer-review process to assess the quality, originality, and ethical integrity of all submitted manuscripts. Our editorial board, composed of leading experts in diverse fields, ensures that each manuscript is reviewed objectively and fairly.

  • Review Process: Manuscripts are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers who assess the submission for originality, methodological soundness, and overall contribution to the field.
  • Decision Making: Editorial decisions are based on reviewer feedback, the manuscript's scientific merit, and its adherence to ethical standards. Clear explanations and recommendations for revision are provided to authors when necessary.
  • Transparency: All editorial decisions and processes are documented, ensuring transparency and accountability in our review process.

Author Responsibilities

Authors must ensure that their work meets the highest ethical and scholarly standards. By submitting a manuscript to IARMS, authors agree to:

  • Originality: Submit original work that has not been published elsewhere and is not under simultaneous consideration by another journal.
  • Proper Attribution: Accurately cite all sources and contributions. Any use of text, data, or images from other works must be clearly acknowledged.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that may influence the interpretation or presentation of research results.
  • Ethical Compliance: Follow all ethical guidelines relevant to research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data, and secure necessary approvals from institutional review boards or ethics committees.
  • Data Integrity: Ensure that all data presented are accurate and reproducible, and be prepared to provide supporting data upon request.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Peer reviewers are essential in maintaining the quality and integrity of our publications. Reviewers are expected to:

  • Objectivity: Provide impartial and constructive feedback based solely on the scholarly merits of the manuscript.
  • Confidentiality: Treat all manuscript content and related correspondence as confidential and refrain from disclosing any information to third parties.
  • Conflict of Interest: Declare any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from the review process if necessary.
  • Constructive Criticism: Offer detailed suggestions for improvement, supporting the author in enhancing the quality of their work.

Handling of Ethical Issues

IARMS takes ethical issues very seriously. In cases of suspected misconduct, the following procedures will be followed:

  • Investigation: Allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other unethical practices will be thoroughly investigated using specialized tools and expert consultations.
  • Communication: Involved parties may be contacted for further clarification or to provide additional evidence. All communications will be conducted confidentially.
  • Resolution: If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions—such as manuscript rejection, article retraction, or author sanctions—will be implemented, and relevant institutions may be notified.
  • Appeals Process: Authors have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals will be reviewed by an independent ethics committee to ensure a fair and transparent process.

Conflict of Interest

Transparency regarding conflicts of interest is critical to maintaining trust in the academic community. All parties involved in the publication process must:

  • Disclose any financial or personal relationships that could potentially influence their work.
  • Avoid situations where such conflicts might affect the impartiality of the research or its review.
  • Update disclosures promptly as new conflicts arise.

Data Availability and Transparency

To promote reproducibility and foster open science, IARMS encourages authors to:

  • Deposit data in publicly accessible repositories, unless restricted by ethical or legal considerations.
  • Provide comprehensive methodological details and, where applicable, supplementary materials that support the findings.
  • Adhere to data-sharing policies and best practices in their field.

Intellectual Property and Copyright

Authors retain the copyright of their work; however, by submitting their manuscripts, they grant IARMS a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and promote the work. Any previously published material used in the manuscript must be properly licensed and credited.

Revisions and Updates

These policies and ethical guidelines are subject to periodic review and updates to reflect emerging standards and practices in scholarly publishing. All participants in the publication process are encouraged to stay informed about these updates.

By submitting a manuscript to IARMS, authors, reviewers, and editors agree to adhere to these policies and uphold the highest standards of publication ethics.