Publication Ethics | Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence

At the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI), we prioritize the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism in academic publishing. This Ethics Policy outlines the fundamental principles and guidelines that govern our editorial and publishing practices, ensuring a scholarly environment built on trust, accountability, and ethical conduct.

The policy is designed to guide all participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, and editors—in upholding values of fairness, honesty, and academic rigor.

General Principles

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) fully aligns with the ethical standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). When authors submit their manuscripts, they acknowledge and commit to adhering to these ethical principles, ensuring their work meets the journal’s guidelines and policies.

BJAI is dedicated to promoting academic integrity, transparency, and excellence, creating an environment that supports scholarly collaboration and builds mutual trust within the academic community.

Affiliations

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) are required to provide a detailed list of their affiliations. This practice ensures proper acknowledgment of all institutions or organizations connected to the research.

Research Articles: Authors must specify the institutions responsible for approving, funding, or conducting the research.
Non-Research Articles: Authors should mention their current institutional affiliations.
Changed Affiliation: If an author has moved to a different institution before publication, both the affiliation relevant to the research and the current affiliation must be included.
Independent Researchers: Authors without any institutional ties should clearly indicate their independent status.

Maintaining accurate and transparent affiliation information is essential for upholding the integrity of the academic record and appropriately recognizing the contributions of all involved parties.

Appeals and Complaints

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) adheres to the ethical guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for managing appeals and complaints. Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions by presenting substantial evidence or new data that directly addresses the feedback provided by reviewers and editors.

Complaints related to the editorial process, including peer review and publication ethics, are treated with the utmost seriousness. Authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to voice their concerns to the editorial office. For appeals, please reach out via appeals@mesopotamian.press.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments in the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) should properly recognize individuals or organizations that contributed to the manuscript’s development but do not meet the criteria for authorship. This includes acknowledging support in areas such as funding, technical assistance, and editorial contributions.

All authors are encouraged to clearly specify any support received from colleagues, mentors, or institutions that facilitated the research.

Financial Support: Provide detailed information about funding sources, including grant numbers and sponsors.
Editorial and Technical Assistance: Acknowledge contributions such as language editing, data analysis, or access to specialized equipment.

Providing accurate acknowledgments demonstrates transparency and upholds the integrity of scholarly work.

Authorship

Authorship in the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) signifies meaningful contributions to the conceptualization, execution, and preparation of research and the manuscript. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of individual roles while ensuring accountability for the accuracy and quality of the work.

General Guidelines

To qualify as an author, individuals must meet all the following criteria:

Substantial Contributions: Significant involvement in the study’s conceptual design, methodology, data analysis, or interpretation of results.
Drafting and Revising: Active participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for intellectual content.
Final Approval: Review and approval of the final version of the manuscript, including any subsequent revisions.
Accountability: Acceptance of responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the research, with a commitment to address any concerns that may arise.

Individuals who do not meet these criteria should not be listed as authors but may be appropriately acknowledged in the acknowledgments section.

Authorship Order

The order of authorship should accurately reflect each contributor's relative input to the research. Any disputes regarding the order must be resolved among the authors before submission.

Changes After Submission: Any adjustments to the authorship order post-submission require written approval from all listed authors.
Post-Publication Changes: Requests for authorship changes after publication will result in a formal correction notice if justified.

Changes to Authorship

For changes to the authorship list after submission (adding or removing authors), the following are required:

Justification: A clear explanation outlining the reasons for the change.
Consent: Written consent from all authors, including those being added or removed.
Documentation: Submission of a completed Change of Authorship Form along with the request.

The journal reserves the right to decline changes that are not supported by valid justifications or lack proper author consent. Significant alterations to authorship after acceptance may be rejected unless compelling evidence of contributions is provided.

Responsibilities of the Corresponding Author

The corresponding author holds key responsibilities throughout the submission, review, and publication processes, including:

Communication: Acting as the main liaison between the journal and all co-authors, ensuring that every author is informed about the manuscript’s progress.
Approval: Confirming that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript before submission.
Compliance: Ensuring that the manuscript adheres to BJAI’s submission requirements and ethical standards.

Additionally, the corresponding author must handle any authorship-related disputes that arise during the review process.

Citations

Proper citation practices are fundamental to maintaining academic integrity and credibility in scholarly publishing. The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) requires authors to provide accurate and appropriate references for all sources cited in their manuscripts.

General Citation Guidelines

All claims, data, or arguments presented in a manuscript must be supported by credible, relevant, and up-to-date sources. Authors are encouraged to reference peer-reviewed literature and avoid citing unreliable or unverifiable materials.

Accuracy: Ensure that all citations are correctly formatted and accurately linked to the appropriate sources.
Balance: Present a well-rounded overview of existing literature, avoiding over-reliance on a single author, group, or publication.
Self-Citation: Avoid excessive self-citation that could artificially inflate personal, institutional, or journal-related metrics.

Non-Research Articles

For non-research articles, such as reviews or opinion pieces, authors must provide citations that offer a comprehensive and unbiased overview of the topic. Selective citation practices that misrepresent the scope or depth of the field should be avoided.

Citation Manipulation

BJAI strictly prohibits citation manipulation, which includes adding references solely to boost citation metrics or benefit specific individuals, institutions, or journals without valid academic justification.

Examples of citation manipulation include:

Excessive Self-Citation: Over-citing one’s own work to inflate citation metrics.
Citation Cartels: Reciprocal agreements among authors or groups to cite each other's work inappropriately.
Irrelevant Citations: Including citations that do not directly contribute to the content of the manuscript.

Manuscripts found to engage in citation manipulation will be subject to investigation, and may result in rejection, retraction, or other corrective actions.

Uncertain Sources

If authors are unsure about the validity or relevance of a source, they are encouraged to consult BJAI’s editorial office prior to including it in their manuscript. This ensures that all references meaningfully contribute to the research and align with ethical citation standards.

Conflicts of Interest

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is dedicated to maintaining transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing. To uphold the integrity of the publication process, all authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their work or decisions.

Disclosure by Authors

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or professional relationships that could affect the research or its interpretation. Examples include:

Financial Support: Grants, sponsorships, or funding related to the research or manuscript preparation.
Institutional Relationships: Affiliations with organizations that could benefit from the publication.
Competing Interests: Any interests that may compromise the objectivity of the research.

Authors are required to complete the Conflict of Interest Form for Authors and submit it during the manuscript submission process.

Disclosure by Reviewers

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might affect their ability to provide an impartial and objective review. Common examples include:

Personal or Professional Relationships: Collaborations or associations with the authors.
Financial Interests: Investments or financial ties related to the manuscript's findings.
Professional Bias: Memberships or roles that could influence the review process.

If a conflict is identified, reviewers are encouraged to decline the review assignment and notify the editorial office. Reviewers should complete the Conflict of Interest Form for Reviewers when applicable.

Disclosure by Editors

Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their editorial decisions, including:

Relationships with Authors or Reviewers: Personal, professional, or institutional connections.
Financial or Professional Interests: Interests related to the manuscript's content or outcomes.

In situations where bias may arise, editors are expected to delegate the decision-making process to another qualified member of the editorial board. Editors should submit the Conflict of Interest Form for Editorial Board Members.

By enforcing these policies, BJAI aims to preserve the objectivity, credibility, and ethical standards of its publication process.

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is dedicated to upholding the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal adheres to established guidelines to address significant errors, concerns, and cases of research misconduct through corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, and, in rare cases, removals.

Corrections

A correction notice is issued when errors or omissions in a published article may affect its interpretation but do not compromise the overall scholarly integrity of the work. Examples include:

Minor Inaccuracies: Errors in graphical representations, figures, or tables.
Omissions: Missing details related to funding sources or acknowledgments.
Undisclosed Conflicts: Conflicts of interest not reported at the time of publication.

Types of Correction Notices:

Corrigendum: Issued to correct errors made by the authors.
Erratum: Issued to correct errors introduced during the publication process by the journal.

Retractions

A retraction notice is issued when an article contains significant issues that invalidate its findings, such as major methodological flaws, data inaccuracies, or instances of research misconduct. Retractions are also warranted in cases involving:

Ethical Violations: Research conducted without necessary approvals or ethical clearance.
Data Issues: Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data.
Plagiarism: Unattributed use of others' work.
Redundant Publication: Duplicate publication without proper citation or justification.

Retractions are handled following the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Requests for retractions may be initiated by authors, editors, or the institutions affiliated with the research.

Retraction Procedures:

The retraction notice will be directly linked to the original article, and the original article will link back to the notice.
The article will be clearly marked as "Retracted" in both HTML and PDF versions.
The reasons for the retraction will be explicitly stated.
The party requesting the retraction (author, editor, or institution) will be identified.

Retractions are implemented to correct the scholarly record and preserve research integrity, not as a punitive measure against authors.

Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern is issued when there are significant doubts about the reliability of an article, but conclusive evidence is not yet available or an investigation is ongoing. Examples include:

Suspected Misconduct: Potential research misconduct under active investigation.
Ethical Concerns: Complex ethical issues that require thorough review.

Following the conclusion of an investigation, the expression of concern may lead to a correction, retraction, or no further action. Both the expression of concern and any subsequent notices will remain part of the article’s permanent record.

Removals

In rare and exceptional cases, an article may be subject to removal if its content is:

Legally Sensitive: Defamatory or infringing on legal rights.
Court-Ordered: Subject to a legal ruling requiring removal.
Severe Ethical Breaches: Involves content that poses serious ethical violations beyond correction or retraction.

When an article is removed, a removal notice will be published in its place, clearly explaining the reason for removal without compromising the privacy or legal concerns of the involved parties.

BJAI is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, ensuring that all corrections, retractions, and related actions are conducted with transparency and fairness.

Consent for Publication

In the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI), obtaining written informed consent is mandatory when personal information, images, or any other identifying material related to individuals are included in a manuscript. This policy ensures ethical standards are upheld while respecting individuals' privacy and rights.

Requirements for Consent

Authors must secure explicit written consent from individuals or their legal guardians before incorporating identifiable information in their work. The consent should permit publication under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, ensuring open and unrestricted online accessibility.

Minors (Under 18): Consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian.
Deceased Individuals: Consent should be secured from the next of kin.
Manuscript Statement: Authors must include a declaration within the manuscript confirming that informed consent was obtained for publication.

Consent Documentation

Authors should use a standard consent form, either provided by their institution or developed independently, to obtain consent. The form must clearly state that the information or images will be publicly accessible on the internet. It should include:

Public Access Acknowledgment: A statement confirming the individual’s understanding of the unrestricted public availability of the published materials.
Publication License Details: Information regarding the publication under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Authors are responsible for retaining the signed consent forms and must be prepared to submit them to the editorial office upon request. All consent forms will be treated confidentially and will not be publicly disclosed.

Responsibility for Consent

The responsibility for obtaining, managing, and securely storing consent forms lies solely with the authors.

No Direct Submission: The journal and publisher will not accept consent forms submitted alongside manuscripts or via email.
Secure Archiving: Authors must ensure that all consent-related documentation is securely archived and available for verification if required.

This policy reinforces BJAI’s commitment to ethical publishing practices, safeguarding the privacy and rights of individuals featured in scholarly publications.

Confidentiality

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is committed to maintaining strict confidentiality protocols to protect the integrity and privacy of the publication process. The following guidelines outline the journal’s approach to safeguarding confidential information.

Manuscript Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to BJAI are treated as confidential documents. Access is strictly limited to individuals directly involved in the editorial and peer-review process, including:

Editorial Team: Editors handling the manuscript.
Peer Reviewers: Assigned reviewers responsible for evaluating the submission.
Administrative Staff: Only those who require access to facilitate the editorial workflow.

The content of submitted manuscripts must not be shared, discussed, or disclosed to unauthorized individuals without the explicit consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

Reviewer Obligations

Reviewers play a critical role in preserving the confidentiality of the peer-review process. They are required to:

Maintain Confidentiality: Refrain from sharing, discussing, or distributing the manuscript’s content with anyone outside the review process.
Respect Intellectual Property: Ensure that any unpublished information, ideas, or interpretations obtained during the review are not used for personal or professional gain.

Breaches of confidentiality by reviewers will be thoroughly investigated. Confirmed violations may result in disqualification from future review assignments and potential reporting to relevant institutions.

Ethical Misconduct Investigations

In cases of suspected ethical misconduct, manuscript content may be disclosed to relevant institutions, organizations, or ethics committees to support formal investigations. Such disclosures will adhere to the best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

BJAI is dedicated to protecting the confidentiality of all parties involved during these investigations, ensuring that the process remains fair, unbiased, and respectful of privacy.

This policy reinforces BJAI’s commitment to ethical publishing practices and the responsible handling of sensitive information throughout the editorial and review process.

Data Falsification/Fabrication

Data falsification and fabrication are serious violations of ethical conduct. These unethical practices involve the intentional manipulation, alteration, or invention of data or research findings with the purpose of misleading readers, reviewers, and the academic community. Such actions undermine the credibility, reliability, and integrity of scholarly research, causing long-term harm to the academic record.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) are required to ensure that all data presented in their work accurately reflect the research conducted. This includes:

Accuracy: Data must be truthful, complete, and free from any manipulation intended to misrepresent the research outcomes.
Transparency: Authors must provide clear documentation of methodologies, data collection processes, and analysis techniques to support the validity of their findings.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

BJAI maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward data falsification and fabrication. Any form of misconduct will result in:

Immediate Rejection: Manuscripts found to contain fabricated or falsified data will be rejected without further consideration.
Retraction of Published Articles: If misconduct is discovered after publication, the article will be retracted, and a formal retraction notice will be issued.

Data Retention Requirements

To promote transparency and support the integrity of the research process:

Retention Period: Authors are required to retain all raw data related to their research for a minimum period following publication.
Data Availability: Upon request, authors must provide access to the original data to support editorial review, peer review, or post-publication inquiries.

Failure to comply with data retention or availability requests may result in the rejection of the manuscript or the withdrawal of an already published article.

Commitment to Research Integrity

BJAI is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Any allegations of data falsification or fabrication will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

By enforcing this policy, BJAI aims to safeguard the integrity of scientific research, protect the scholarly record, and uphold the trust of the academic community.

Desk Rejection Policy

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) employs a desk rejection policy to uphold the quality, relevance, and academic integrity of the submissions it receives. A manuscript may be rejected without undergoing peer review if it does not meet the journal’s basic criteria for consideration.

Reasons for Desk Rejection

Misalignment with Scope:
- The manuscript’s topic or content does not align with BJAI’s focus or areas of interest.
- Submissions unrelated to the journal’s mathematical disciplines or objectives will not proceed to peer review.
Ethical Concerns:
- Non-compliance with international ethical standards.
- Instances of plagiarism exceeding a 20% similarity index, or other forms of academic misconduct.
- Ethical issues related to data integrity, authorship disputes, or research conduct.
Insufficient Impact:
- The manuscript does not offer significant contributions to the field.
- Lack of meaningful insights, originality, or advancement of current knowledge in mathematics.
Flawed Study Design:
- Fundamental methodological flaws that undermine the validity and reliability of the research findings.
- Poorly constructed theoretical frameworks or inadequate experimental setups.
Unclear Objectives:
- The study’s objectives are not clearly defined or lack logical coherence.
- Ambiguity in research goals, making it difficult to assess the manuscript’s purpose.

Poor Presentation:
- The manuscript is poorly organized, missing essential sections (e.g., abstract, methodology, references), or lacks a logical flow.
- Inadequate formatting, inconsistent structure, or unclear explanations that hinder comprehension.
Grammar and Language Issues:
- Extensive grammatical errors, stylistic issues, or poor language quality that affect readability.
- Inadequate academic writing style, making it difficult to follow the research narrative.
Non-Compliance with Submission Guidelines:
- Failure to adhere to BJAI’s submission requirements, including formatting rules, citation styles, or document structure.
- Missing mandatory components such as author declarations, ethical approval statements, or conflict of interest disclosures.

Purpose of the Policy

This policy ensures that only manuscripts meeting BJAI’s quality standards proceed to the peer review process, thereby maintaining the journal’s academic rigor and efficiency.

Recommendations for Authors

To improve the chances of acceptance:

Carefully review the Author Guidelines before submission.
Ensure the manuscript aligns with the journal’s scope and meets ethical standards.
Proofread for language clarity, coherence, and adherence to formatting requirements.

By following these guidelines, authors can significantly enhance the quality of their submissions and reduce the likelihood of desk rejection.

Duplicate Submission/Publication

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) upholds strict ethical standards concerning duplicate submissions and publications. Authors are required to confirm, during the submission process, that their manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Failure to disclose such information constitutes a serious breach of ethical conduct and may result in the rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

Instances of Duplicate Submission and Publication

Duplicate submission and publication involve presenting the same or substantially similar content to multiple journals without proper disclosure. This includes, but is not limited to:

Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same manuscript simultaneously to BJAI and another journal.
Redundant Publications: Republishing content that has already been published elsewhere without offering significant new insights, data, or analyses.
Translation of Published Work: Submitting a manuscript that has been published in another language without proper disclosure or permission.

Guidelines for Secondary Publications

In accordance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines, authors intending to submit a secondary publication (e.g., a translated version or republished work) must adhere to the following requirements:

Permission:
- Obtain explicit permission from the publisher and copyright holder of the original article.

Disclosure:
- Clearly inform the Editor of BJAI about any prior publication, providing full details of the original work.
Transparency:
- The secondary publication must explicitly acknowledge the original source, including a citation and reference to the original article.

This approach ensures proper recognition of the original research while maintaining the integrity of the academic record.

Consequences of Violations

Failure to comply with BJAI’s duplicate submission and publication policy may result in:

Immediate Rejection: Manuscripts found to be submitted elsewhere without disclosure will be rejected.
Retraction: Published articles discovered to violate this policy may be retracted with an accompanying retraction notice.
Author Sanctions: Authors found in violation may face a ban from submitting future work to the journal.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

BJAI is committed to promoting ethical research practices. Authors are encouraged to consult the journal’s editorial office if they have any questions about potential duplicate submissions or secondary publications. Transparency and integrity are essential to maintaining the credibility of scholarly communication.

Funding

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding financial support for research. Authors are required to disclose all sources of funding, including grants, sponsorships, or other forms of financial assistance related to the research and publication process.

Specific guidelines for funding disclosures include:

Detailed Disclosure: Authors must provide a complete account of all funding sources, including the name of the funding organization, grant numbers, and the specific roles of funders in the research process.
Sponsor Involvement: If applicable, authors must detail the sponsor’s involvement in the study’s design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or publication. If no involvement occurred, this should be explicitly stated.

To comply with these requirements, authors must complete the Financial Disclosure Form and submit it with their manuscript. This ensures clarity and adherence to ethical publishing practices.

Transparent funding declarations enhance the integrity and credibility of published research by providing readers with a clear understanding of potential influences on the study.

Images and Figures

When incorporating images, videos, or audio recordings in manuscripts submitted to the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI), it is crucial to adhere to ethical guidelines. Authors must ensure that any identifying information related to individuals, such as photographs or medical data, is included only after obtaining explicit written consent from the individuals concerned.

In situations where the research subjects are deceased, authors are obligated to secure consent from their legal representatives. For vulnerable groups, including minors, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

Experimental photographs 

Photographic images, especially those captured through microscopy, must accurately represent the original data. Any modifications made to these images must be clearly disclosed within the manuscript, providing detailed information about the software used, the methods applied, and the extent of the alterations.

Authors are expected to:

Ensure that any modifications are minimal and consistently applied across all images.
Provide the editorial office with the original, unaltered images upon request.
Refrain from making changes that could mislead or distort the scientific interpretation of the results.

Reuse of published images 
Authors intending to reuse images or figures from previously published materials must obtain permission from the respective copyright holders. A statement confirming that permission has been granted should be included in the figure legend, along with an appropriate citation of the original source.

For images published under licenses that permit unrestricted use, such as Creative Commons, authors are still required to provide proper attribution to the original source.

Misconduct

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and is committed to addressing all forms of research misconduct. The journal strictly adheres to the ethical principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), with all reports of misconduct treated seriously and investigated thoroughly in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:

Plagiarism: Using another’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgment.
Fabrication: Creating false data or results and presenting them as genuine.
Falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, or data to misrepresent the research outcomes.
Duplicate Submission: Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
Misrepresentation: Incorrectly attributing authorship or institutional affiliations.
Image Manipulation: Modifying images in a way that could mislead readers about the research findings.

The journal reserves the right to take appropriate actions in cases of confirmed misconduct, which may include retracting published articles, issuing corrections, or reporting the incident to relevant authorities or institutions.

Addressing misconduct 

When allegations of misconduct arise, the journal follows a structured process aligned with COPE guidelines to ensure fair and transparent handling:

Initial Assessment: The editorial team reviews the complaint and evaluates the supporting evidence to determine its validity.
Investigation: A comprehensive inquiry is conducted, which may involve direct communication with the author(s), reviewers, or consultation with independent experts.
Outcome: Based on the investigation’s findings, actions may include rejecting the manuscript, withdrawing a published article, or notifying the appropriate authorities or institutions.

This process is designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness for all parties involved.

Consequences of misconduct 

Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the journal may implement the following measures:

Rejection of the manuscript during the review process.
Retraction of published articles accompanied by an explanatory statement.
Notification to the authors' affiliated institutions or funding organizations.
A ban on future submissions from the individuals involved in the misconduct.

These actions aim to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record and reinforce ethical publishing standards.

Publication Ethics

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Our policies are guided by the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ensuring a fair, transparent, and responsible publication process.

Duties of Editors 
Publication Decisions: The editorial board holds the responsibility for determining which manuscripts are accepted for publication. This decision is based on recommendations from peer reviewers, as well as legal and ethical considerations related to issues such as libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.

Confidentiality, Disclosure, and Conflicts of Interest: Editors must maintain strict confidentiality throughout the review process, sharing manuscript information only with the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and editorial advisers. To promote transparency and uphold ethical standards, editors are required to complete the Conflict of Interest Form for Editorial Board Members. Unpublished materials disclosed in submitted manuscripts must not be used in the research of editors, reviewers, or readers without explicit written consent from the author. Additionally, comprehensive information regarding funding sources and their involvement in the research or publication process must be clearly disclosed to readers.

Author Relations: Editors should maintain fair, professional, and respectful communication with authors. They are expected to provide constructive feedback that guides revisions, thereby ensuring the quality and integrity of published work.

Duties of Reviewers 

Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Reviewers play an essential role in supporting the editorial board’s decision-making process. Their reviews must be objective, with feedback presented clearly and backed by logical reasoning.

Qualification of Reviewers: Reviewers should accept review assignments only if they are qualified to evaluate the manuscript’s content. If a reviewer feels unqualified or anticipates delays in completing the review, they must promptly notify the editor and withdraw from the review process.

Confidentiality: Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Information or ideas obtained through peer review should not be used for personal gain or disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers are responsible for identifying relevant scholarly works that authors may have overlooked. They should suggest appropriate citations for unreferenced concepts, data, or ideas to enhance the manuscript’s scholarly rigor.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest by completing the Conflict of Interest Form for Reviewers to maintain transparency and uphold ethical standards.

Duties of Authors 

Reporting Standards: Authors are expected to provide an accurate, comprehensive, and objective account of the research conducted, along with a critical discussion of its significance.

Originality, Plagiarism, and Concurrent Publication: Authors must ensure their work is entirely original. Proper citations must be provided when referencing the ideas, data, or words of others. Manuscripts should not be submitted concurrently to multiple journals, nor should they contain redundant or duplicate publications.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors are required to disclose any financial or substantive conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or outcomes of their research. For transparency, authors must complete the Conflict of Interest Form and submit it along with their manuscript.

Authorship of the Paper: The corresponding author holds the responsibility of ensuring that all individuals who made significant contributions to the research are listed as co-authors and that no inappropriate individuals are included.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works: If an author identifies a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must promptly notify the journal’s editorial office. Authors are expected to cooperate fully with the editorial team to correct or retract the publication when necessary.

BJAI’s commitment to ethical publishing practices ensures the credibility, integrity, and transparency of the scholarly record.

Peer Review Process

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) adheres to a rigorous peer review process to maintain the integrity and quality of published research. This process is grounded in ethical principles that promote fairness, transparency, and scholarly excellence.

Initial Assessment 

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial evaluation by the editorial team to assess their relevance to the journal’s scope, originality, and compliance with submission guidelines. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are subject to desk rejection and do not proceed to the peer review stage.

Single-Blind Peer Review 

BJAI employs a single-blind peer review process, where the identities of the reviewers remain anonymous while the authors’ identities are disclosed. This approach ensures impartiality and allows reviewers to provide unbiased, objective feedback.

Each manuscript is typically evaluated by at least two experts in the relevant field. Reviewers assess the manuscript’s quality, originality, methodology, and significance within the field. They are expected to provide constructive comments and recommendations to help improve the manuscript’s quality.

Editorial Decision 

After receiving the reviewers' feedback, the editor makes one of the following decisions:

Accept: The manuscript is accepted as is or with minor revisions.
Revise: The manuscript requires major or minor revisions before it can be reconsidered.
Reject: The manuscript is deemed unsuitable for publication in the journal.

The editorial team communicates the decision, along with detailed reviewer comments, to the corresponding author to ensure transparency throughout the review process.

Appeals Process 

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe their manuscript was unfairly evaluated. To initiate an appeal, authors should submit a detailed response addressing the reviewer comments and provide additional evidence to support their claims. Appeals are reviewed either by the editorial board or additional subject matter experts, depending on the nature of the appeal.

For appeals, please contact the editorial office at appeals@mesopotamian.press.

BJAI’s peer review process is designed to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, ensuring that all published research contributes meaningfully to the scholarly community.

Plagiarism Policy

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism in all its forms. Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use of another individual’s work, ideas, or language without proper acknowledgment. This policy also applies to self-plagiarism and redundant publication, which undermine the integrity of scholarly research.

Plagiarism Detection 

All manuscripts submitted to BJAI are subjected to thorough plagiarism checks using advanced detection tools, such as Turnitin. Any submission found to have significant overlap with existing literature or previously published work will be rejected immediately.

Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality of their work before submission. Proper citation and referencing are essential to avoid both intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

Types of Plagiarism

Full Plagiarism: Copying another’s work verbatim without citation or acknowledgment.
Partial Plagiarism: Paraphrasing or modifying sections of another’s work without giving proper credit.
Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously published work without appropriate disclosure or citation.
Text Recycling: Reusing portions of previously published text across multiple works without proper acknowledgment.

Consequences of Plagiarism 

Manuscripts identified as containing plagiarism, whether detected prior to or after publication, will face serious consequences, including:

Immediate Rejection or Retraction: Submissions with confirmed plagiarism will be rejected during the review process, or retracted if already published.
Notification to Institutions: The author’s affiliated institutions or funding organizations will be informed of the misconduct.
Blacklisting: Authors found guilty of plagiarism may be blacklisted from submitting future manuscripts to BJAI.

BJAI adheres to the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when handling cases of plagiarism, ensuring a fair, transparent, and consistent process for addressing misconduct.

Preprint Policy

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) supports the open dissemination of research findings through preprint repositories. Authors are permitted to upload their manuscripts to recognized preprint platforms, such as arXiv or RePEc, at any stage prior to formal submission to the journal.

Linking Preprints to Published Articles 

Once a manuscript has been accepted and published by BJAI, authors are encouraged to link the preprint version to the final publication using its Digital Object Identifier (DOI). This practice allows readers to access the most authoritative version of the work while maintaining the preprint’s visibility and accessibility.

Authors may also update the preprint to include the accepted version of the manuscript, provided that proper acknowledgment of BJAI’s publication is included to ensure transparency and accurate citation.

Transparency and Integrity 

By allowing the sharing of preprints, BJAI fosters early dissemination of research while safeguarding the integrity of the formal publication process. Authors are responsible for ensuring that the preprint accurately represents the research and adheres to ethical standards.

Preprints should not mislead readers or misrepresent the study’s findings. Any significant updates or changes to the research must be promptly reflected in the preprint repository to maintain accuracy.

This policy provides authors with the flexibility to share their work openly, promoting the rapid exchange of knowledge while preserving the credibility and trustworthiness of research throughout the peer review and publication processes.

Patient Identifying Information

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) emphasizes the critical importance of protecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality. Identifiable information, including textual descriptions, images, videos, sonograms, or pedigrees, should only be included in a manuscript when it is scientifically essential and written informed consent has been obtained.

Consent Requirements 

Written informed consent must be secured from the patient or their legal guardian if the patient is a minor or unable to provide consent. For deceased individuals, consent should be obtained from the closest living relative or legal representative.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that patient identifiers such as names, initials, hospital numbers, or any other personal information are excluded from the manuscript and accompanying images unless absolutely necessary for the research and explicitly consented to.

Anonymity and Ethical Compliance 

When patient-related content is included, authors must comply with the ethical guidelines outlined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Manuscripts must include a clear statement confirming that informed consent was obtained and that all ethical requirements have been met.

Authors should make every effort to anonymize patient-related images or data whenever possible to safeguard the patient’s identity without compromising the scientific integrity of the work.

Failure to obtain the necessary permissions or to adhere to ethical standards may lead to the rejection of the manuscript or the removal of patient-identifying content during the editorial process. BJAI is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing to ensure the privacy, dignity, and rights of all individuals involved in research.

Research Ethics and Consent

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in all published research. This includes ensuring that studies involving human participants, animals, or plants have received appropriate ethical approvals and adhere to internationally recognized ethical guidelines.

Research Involving Humans 

All research involving human participants must comply with ethical principles, such as those outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors are required to obtain approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or an equivalent ethics committee before commencing the study.

Manuscripts must include:

A detailed description of the ethical approval process, including the name of the institution, the ethics committee, and the approval reference number.
Confirmation that informed consent was obtained from all participants.
A statement detailing the measures taken to protect participants’ privacy and maintain confidentiality.

Retrospective approval after the completion of the study is generally not acceptable.

Research Involving Animals 

Research involving animals must adhere to relevant ethical guidelines, such as those established by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Authors must obtain ethical approval from a recognized animal ethics committee before conducting the study.

Manuscripts should include:

Information about the approving institution, the ethics committee, and the reference number of the approval.
A description of the measures taken to minimize animal suffering.
A clear justification for the use of animals in the study, emphasizing the necessity and scientific relevance of their involvement.

Research Involving Plants 

Research involving plants must comply with institutional, national, and international regulations. Authors must confirm adherence to ethical principles outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Manuscripts should include:

Details of any permissions, licenses, or approvals obtained to conduct the research.
A description of compliance with relevant biodiversity and conservation regulations.

Failure to comply with ethical guidelines or provide sufficient documentation of ethical approval may result in the rejection of the manuscript. BJAI is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, ensuring that all published work reflects responsible and ethical scientific practices.

Standards of Reporting

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) places strong emphasis on clear, detailed, and transparent reporting to ensure the reproducibility and verification of published research. Authors are expected to adhere to rigorous reporting standards to support robust academic discourse and enhance the credibility of their work.

Rationale 
Authors must provide a comprehensive explanation of the purpose and significance of their study. This should include clearly defined research questions and objectives that highlight the study’s relevance and contribution to the field.

Research Protocol 

The methodology, including any experimental, observational, or analytical procedures, must be described in sufficient detail to allow other researchers to replicate the study. This includes outlining the study design, materials used, data collection methods, and any protocols followed.

Tools and Techniques 

Authors are required to provide detailed descriptions of the tools, techniques, and software utilized in their research. Where applicable, specific version numbers should be included to ensure clarity and reproducibility of the results.

Data Analysis 

The processes involved in data collection, processing, and analysis must be thoroughly documented. Authors should clearly outline how data were handled, the statistical methods applied, and any software used to analyze the data, ensuring transparency and credibility in the interpretation of findings.

Results and Interpretation 

Research findings should be presented accurately, reflecting the data without distortion or over generalization. Authors must avoid making unsupported claims or drawing conclusions that extend beyond the data scope. Interpretation of results should be objective, with clear acknowledgment of any study limitations.

Adherence to these reporting standards ensures that the research published in BJAI contributes meaningfully to the academic community, fostering reproducibility, transparency, and trust in the scholarly record. This commitment to high-quality reporting supports the advancement of knowledge and the integrity of scientific research.

Use of Third-Party Material

Authors intending to include third-party material in their submissions to the Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) must ensure full compliance with applicable copyright and licensing requirements. Third-party material refers to any content not created by the authors themselves, including text, images, tables, datasets, audio clips, video footage, and other forms of intellectual property.

Permissions 
Authors are responsible for obtaining explicit written permission from the copyright holder for any third-party material included in their manuscript, unless the material falls under fair use provisions or is in the public domain. This applies to both published and unpublished content.

Fair Use 

Certain materials may qualify for use under fair use provisions, particularly when short excerpts are incorporated for purposes of critique, commentary, or educational analysis. Even under fair use, proper attribution must be provided to acknowledge the original source.

Attribution 
All third-party materials, including those used under open licenses such as Creative Commons, must be appropriately cited and credited to their original source. Authors should ensure that the specific license terms are followed, particularly regarding modifications, commercial use, and sharing.

Documentation of Permissions 

Authors must clearly document any permissions obtained for the use of third-party material and retain copies of these permissions for their records. Upon request, these permissions may need to be submitted to the journal’s editorial office as part of the publication process.

Adherence to these guidelines ensures compliance with intellectual property laws, supports ethical publishing practices, and protects both authors and the journal from potential legal issues related to copyright infringement. BJAI remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and responsible scholarship.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Writing

This section outlines the policy regarding the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies specifically in the manuscript writing process. It does not cover the application of such tools for data analysis or deriving research insights during the research process.

Purpose 
Authors may utilize AI tools to enhance the readability and language quality of their manuscripts. However, these tools must not substitute core authorial responsibilities, such as generating scientific insights, drawing conclusions, or making clinical recommendations.

Supervision 
The application of AI technologies in the writing process must always be under human supervision. Authors are responsible for thoroughly reviewing, editing, and verifying the accuracy and integrity of any AI-generated content before submission.

Accountability 
Regardless of AI involvement, authors retain full accountability for the content of their manuscripts. This includes ensuring that the work meets the journal’s standards for originality, scientific accuracy, and ethical compliance.

Disclosure and Transparency 

Authors must disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies when submitting their manuscripts. This disclosure will be included in the published article to promote transparency and maintain trust among readers, reviewers, and editors. Additionally, this requirement ensures compliance with the terms of use associated with the AI tools employed.

Authorship Responsibilities 

Generative AI and AI tools cannot be credited as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies specific responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by human contributors, including:

Addressing inquiries related to the accuracy, integrity, or originality of the work.
Approving the final version of the manuscript for submission.
Ensuring the content’s compliance with ethical and publication standards.

Authors must guarantee that their manuscript meets all criteria for originality, accuracy, and intellectual contribution, irrespective of the role played by AI tools in the writing process. This policy reinforces BJAI’s commitment to ethical publishing practices and the integrity of scholarly research.

Use of AI in Peer Review

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of academic publishing. However, the peer review process relies heavily on critical human judgment, which AI cannot replicate. The following guidelines outline the appropriate use of AI in the peer review process to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards of scholarly evaluation.

Human Responsibility 

Peer review requires critical thinking, nuanced assessment, and informed decision-making, all of which are inherently human capabilities. AI tools must not replace human reviewers or editors in evaluating manuscripts. The responsibility for assessing the quality, rigor, and significance of submitted work rests solely with qualified human reviewers and editorial board members.

Confidentiality 
Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts is a fundamental principle of the peer review process. Reviewers and editors must not upload any portion of a manuscript, including text, data, figures, or supplementary materials, into AI tools. Such actions could breach confidentiality agreements, violate data privacy and proprietary rights, and conflict with the terms of service of AI platforms.

Peer Review Reports 

The confidentiality obligation extends beyond the manuscript to include peer review reports, editorial decision letters, and related correspondence. These documents must not be processed through AI tools for any purpose, including language enhancement or readability improvements. Human reviewers and editors are responsible for the originality, integrity, and confidentiality of their reports.

AI in Decision-Making 

AI tools must not be used to make decisions regarding the quality, validity, or impact of a manuscript. The evaluation of scientific content requires human expertise, critical judgment, and ethical considerations, which cannot be fully delegated to AI systems. The authority to accept, revise, or reject manuscripts remains exclusively with qualified human reviewers and editors.

Acknowledgment of Ethical Standards

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. All participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, and editors—are expected to adhere to established ethical principles as outlined by globally recognized organizations, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

By submitting a manuscript, authors affirm their compliance with these ethical guidelines, ensuring the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their work. This includes a commitment to honest data presentation, proper citation practices, and the avoidance of plagiarism, data fabrication, or redundant publication.

Reviewers and editors play a crucial role in maintaining the ethical standards of BJAI. They are responsible for ensuring objectivity, confidentiality, and fairness throughout the editorial and peer review process. Reviewers must provide unbiased, constructive feedback, while editors are expected to make publication decisions based solely on the manuscript's academic merit, free from any conflicts of interest.

In cases where ethical misconduct is suspected, BJAI follows rigorous procedures to investigate and address the allegations in alignment with COPE guidelines. This may involve consultations with authors, reviewers, affiliated institutions, or ethical committees to ensure a thorough and fair resolution.

BJAI’s collective commitment to ethical publishing fosters trust, accountability, and excellence within the academic community, reinforcing the journal’s dedication to the integrity of the scholarly record.

Closing Statements

The Babylonian Journal of Artificial Intelligence (BJAI) is dedicated to upholding the integrity, transparency, and ethical standards of the publishing process. By aligning with globally recognized ethical guidelines, the journal aims to foster a culture of trust, accountability, and academic excellence within the scholarly community.

We encourage all contributors—including authors, reviewers, and editors—to actively engage in maintaining these ethical standards. By embracing principles of fairness, honesty, and academic rigor, the scholarly community can continue to advance knowledge in a responsible and ethical manner.

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