1. Editorial Policies
The editorial policies of the Zarqa International Journal of Nursing Research (ZIJNR) are designed to maintain the highest standards of publication ethics and ensure the integrity of the research published. The editorial team is committed to providing a transparent, fair, and efficient publication process, ensuring that all manuscripts undergo a rigorous peer-review process.
• Manuscript Submission: Authors are required to submit original and previously unpublished research. The submission must not be under consideration by any other journal.
• Peer Review Process: All submitted manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review, ensuring the anonymity of both reviewers and authors. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the relevant field.
• Editorial Decision: The final decision on manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection is made by the Editor-in-Chief, based on reviewers' recommendations and the manuscript’s alignment with the journal's scope and standards.
• Publication Frequency: ZIJNR is published biannually, with continuous online access to accepted and published articles.
• Open Access Policy: ZIJNR is an open-access journal, making all published articles freely available to readers worldwide without any subscription or access fees.
• Copyright and Licensing: Authors retain the copyright of their articles, which are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). This allows others to share, copy, distribute, and adapt the work, provided the original authors are properly credited.
2. Ethical Considerations
ZIJNR adheres to the highest ethical standards in publishing and expects all authors, reviewers, and editors to comply with ethical guidelines, including those recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
• Authorship Criteria: Only individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research, manuscript drafting, or critical revision are listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript.
• Data Integrity: Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the data presented. Any form of data manipulation, fabrication, or falsification is considered unethical and will result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.
• Plagiarism Prevention: ZIJNR strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection software to ensure originality.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be perceived as influencing their work. If there are no conflicts, a statement must clearly indicate: "The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article."
• Human and Animal Rights Compliance: Research involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and have obtained appropriate ethical approval from an institutional review board (IRB). For studies involving animals, adherence to international guidelines for animal welfare is required.
• Informed Consent: Authors must ensure that all participants in their studies have provided informed consent, and any identifying information is anonymized.
• Appeals and Complaints: Authors may appeal editorial decisions or lodge complaints by contacting the editorial office. These appeals will be reviewed fairly and transparently by the editorial board.
• Retractions and Corrections: ZIJNR reserves the right to retract or correct published articles in cases of proven research misconduct, errors, or ethical violations. Such corrections or retractions will be clearly labeled and linked to the original article, ensuring transparency for readers. Retractions will be issued in cases of confirmed plagiarism, data falsification, or other severe ethical breaches. Corrections will be published for minor errors that do not affect the overall validity of the research findings.
• Reviewer Conduct and Confidentiality: Reviewers are expected to conduct an objective and unbiased review of the manuscripts assigned to them. They must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and refrain from discussing it with anyone outside the review process. Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if they feel unable to provide an impartial review.
• Editorial Integrity: The editorial team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and impartiality. Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest. The editorial board ensures that all editorial decisions are free from commercial influence.
• Handling Allegations of Misconduct: ZIJNR follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for investigating and addressing allegations of research misconduct, including plagiarism, data manipulation, unethical research practices, or undisclosed conflicts of interest. When allegations are made, the editorial team will conduct a thorough investigation, providing the authors an opportunity to respond. Decisions will be made based on the evidence presented.
• Confidentiality of Peer Review: The double-blind peer review process ensures the confidentiality of both authors and reviewers. Reviewers must not share or discuss the manuscript with others, except as authorized by the journal’s editorial office.
• Ethical Approval for Research: For studies involving human participants, authors must confirm that their research has received approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee, and that informed consent has been obtained from all participants. For studies involving animals, authors must ensure compliance with relevant ethical guidelines for animal research.
• Data Sharing and Transparency: Authors are encouraged to provide access to the underlying data supporting their research findings through data repositories or as supplementary material. This promotes transparency and allows for independent verification of the research results.
• Corrections and Clarifications Post-Publication: If significant errors are identified in a published article, authors are expected to notify the editorial office. The editorial team will assess the issue and determine whether a correction, retraction, or expression of concern is warranted.
3. Complaints and Appeals
ZIJNR is committed to addressing complaints and appeals in a fair and transparent manner. Authors, reviewers, and readers may contact the editorial office with any concerns about the editorial process, reviewer conduct, or ethical issues.
• Author Appeals: If an author disagrees with an editorial decision, they may submit a written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief, providing detailed justifications for their appeal. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a final decision will be communicated to the author.
• Reviewer Complaints: If reviewers believe that their comments were not appropriately addressed in a revised manuscript or if they encounter unethical conduct, they may contact the editorial office for clarification.
• General Complaints: Readers, authors, or reviewers may submit complaints regarding publication ethics, editorial conduct, or research integrity to the journal’s editorial office. These complaints will be handled confidentially and investigated by the editorial board.
4. Compliance with International Ethical Standards
ZIJNR adheres to the following international ethical guidelines and standards:
• The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices.
• The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations.
• The Declaration of Helsinki for medical research involving human participants.
• The ARRIVE Guidelines for reporting animal research.
• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for data privacy and protection.
5. Author Responsibilities
Authors are expected to uphold the following ethical responsibilities:
• Ensure the originality of their submitted work and avoid plagiarism.
• Acknowledge the contributions of all co-authors and obtain their approval before submission.
• Maintain transparency regarding research funding and potential conflicts of interest.
• Accurately report research methods, data collection, and results without manipulation.
• Obtain appropriate ethical approval for studies involving human participants or animals.
• Respond promptly to editorial comments and address reviewer feedback in a constructive manner.
• Immediately inform the editorial office of any errors or inaccuracies discovered after publication.
6. Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to:
• Maintain confidentiality regarding the manuscripts they review.
• Provide objective, constructive, and unbiased feedback.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their review.
• Complete their reviews within the specified timeframe.
• Refrain from using the content of the manuscript for personal advantage.
7. Editor Responsibilities
The editorial team is responsible for:
• Ensuring that the peer review process is fair, transparent, and unbiased.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
• Making decisions based on the academic quality and scientific merit of the submissions.
• Investigating and addressing allegations of research misconduct.
• Providing clear guidance to authors, reviewers, and readers on ethical standards.
8. Revisions and Updates to Ethical Policies
ZIJNR is committed to maintaining high ethical standards and regularly reviews its editorial and ethical policies to ensure compliance with international guidelines. Any updates or changes to these policies will be communicated to authors, reviewers, and readers through the journal’s website.
