For your convenience, the complete publication ethics guidelines of the Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data (MJBD) are available for download in PDF format. We encourage all authors, reviewers, and editors to review these guidelines thoroughly. Download the full ethics guidelines.

 

  • Introduction

    The Mesopotamian journal of Big Data (MJBD), a premier publication of the Mesopotamian Academic Press and proudly organized by Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. This commitment is rooted in the recognition that ethical practices in publishing are the foundation of scholarly discourse and scientific progress. Our publication ethics are designed to ensure the integrity of the scholarly record, foster trust among all stakeholders in the academic community, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, and safeguard the reputation of authors and the journal itself.

      1. Ethical Guidelines
        The ethical guidelines of MJBD are informed by and adhere to the principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These guidelines are tailored to address the unique challenges and responsibilities of all parties involved in the dissemination of research in computer science and related fields.
      2. Commitment of Authors, Reviewers, and Editors
        By submitting an article to MJBD, authors affirm their understanding of and agreement with the journal's policies, guaranteeing that their work complies with these ethical standards. Similarly, reviewers and editors of MJBD pledge to uphold these principles in their evaluation and handling of manuscripts, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and integrity throughout the publication process.
      3. MJBD's Dedication to Ethical Standards
        MJBD's dedication to ethical standards is unwavering, recognizing that the collective adherence to these guidelines is essential for advancing knowledge, encouraging innovation, and maintaining the trust and respect of the global scientific community. Through this commitment, the Mesopotamian journal of Big Data, under the auspices of the Mesopotamian Academic Press and Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, aspires to be a beacon of ethical, rigorous, and impactful scientific communication.
    1. Principles
      1. Equitable Participation: MJBD encourages submissions from a broad range of authors, including those from underrepresented groups and regions, to ensure a rich diversity of voices and perspectives in the published content.
      2. Inclusive Peer Review: The journal seeks to involve reviewers and editorial board members from diverse backgrounds, promoting an inclusive review process that respects and values different viewpoints and expertise.
      3. Bias Mitigation: MJBD is dedicated to implementing practices that identify and mitigate bias in the editorial process, from manuscript submission to peer review and decision-making, ensuring fairness and equity for all participants.
      4. Accessibility: The journal commits to making its content accessible to a wide audience, including the implementation of practices that enhance the readability and usability of published research for individuals with disabilities.
      5. Education and Training: MJBD will provide its editors, reviewers, and staff with training and resources to understand the importance of diversity and inclusivity and to cultivate an environment that supports these values.
    2. Implementation
      1. Regularly review and update its policies and practices to enhance diversity and inclusivity.
      2. Monitor and report on the diversity of its authors, reviewers, and editorial board members, setting specific goals for improvement.
      3. Encourage authors to consider diversity in their research design, analysis, and interpretation of results, acknowledging the potential impact of their work on various communities.
      4. Provide guidelines for authors, reviewers, and editors on recognizing and addressing implicit biases.
      5. Foster collaborations with organizations and initiatives aimed at increasing participation and representation in scientific research and publishing.
    3. Author Responsibilities
      Authors play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and quality of scholarly publications. As contributors to the scientific community, authors are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in their conduct and reporting. The following guidelines outline the key responsibilities of authors engaged in the publication process
      1. Originality and Plagiarism
        Authors must ensure their submissions are entirely original works. Any use of the work and words of others must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and is subject to stringent measures against it.
      2. Data Access and Retention
        Authors should be prepared to provide access to their raw data in connection with their paper for review by the editors and should also retain such data for a reasonable time after publication to facilitate further inquiry.
      3. Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
        Publishing multiple manuscripts detailing the same research across different journals or primary publications is unethical. Concurrent submissions of the same manuscript to different journals are not permitted.
      4. Acknowledgment of Sources
        Authors must acknowledge all sources of data used in their research and cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.
      5. Authorship of the Paper
        Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. Anyone who has made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors.
      6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
        Any potential conflict of interest (COI) must be disclosed at the earliest stage possible, including any financial, personal, or professional relationships that might influence the results or interpretation of the manuscript. Financial support for the project should also be disclosed. Authors are required to complete and submit the COI disclosure form alongside their manuscript as part of the submission process. For more information on how to disclose COI, please refer to COI page.
      7. Fundamental Errors in Published Works
        If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, it is their responsibility to promptly inform the editors or publisher and collaborate with them to correct or retract the paper as necessary.To make a request, please contact us at the following email address info@mesopotamian.press. For detailed procedures, please refer to our guidelines on the Request Form.
      8. Use of AI Technologies
        The use of artificial intelligence and AI-assisted technologies in research and manuscript preparation must be clearly disclosed. Authors are responsible for ensuring the ethical use of such technologies and for maintaining the integrity of their contributions.
      9. Ethical Considerations in Research
        All submissions to MJBD detailing research that involves human participants, human tissues, or human data must include a statement confirming that such research has been conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This includes obtaining approval from an authorized ethical committee and ensuring informed consent from all participants. Similarly, research involving animals must adhere to international standards and ethical guidelines, ensuring humane treatment and ethical consideration.
    4. Reviewer Responsibilities
      Reviewers play a pivotal role in the scholarly publication process by ensuring the integrity, quality, and transparency of research dissemination. Their responsibilities, grounded in ethical principles, contribute significantly to the decision-making process of editors and the improvement of the manuscripts they review. The following outlines the key responsibilities of reviewers
      1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions
        Reviewers assist editors in making editorial decisions and, through constructive feedback, help authors enhance the quality of their manuscripts. Their insights and assessment must be objective and aimed at facilitating scientific discourse.
      2. Promptness
        If a selected reviewer feels unqualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or knows that prompt review will be impossible, they should notify the editor and excuse themselves from the review process.
      3. Confidentiality
        Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by the editor overseeing the review process.
      4. Objectivity
        Review must be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments that help authors improve their work.
      5. Acknowledgment of Sources
        Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any statement that an observation, derivation, or argument had been previously reported should be accompanied by the relevant citation. A reviewer should also alert the editor to any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.
      6. Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
        Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in a reviewer’s own research without the express written consent of the author. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage. Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers. For more information on how to disclose conflicts of interest, please refer to COI page.
      7. Standards of Objectivity
        Comments and recommendations should be formulated clearly and supported by arguments to help authors improve their manuscript. Reviewers should refrain from making derogatory comments.
      8. Detection of Ethical Issues
        A reviewer should be alert to potential ethical issues in the manuscript and should bring these to the attention of the editor, including any substantial similarity or overlap with any other manuscript they are aware of.
    5. Editorial Responsibilities
      We strongly encourage all editors of the Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data to utilize the Publishing Ethics Resource Kit (PERK) provided by Elsevier. This invaluable resource offers comprehensive guidance and structured decision-making tools to handle a wide array of publishing ethics allegations effectively. By following the protocols and utilizing the resources within PERK, you ensure that our publication adheres to the highest standards of integrity and ethical practices. Familiarize yourselves with the detailed decision trees, form letters, and additional resources available, which are instrumental in maintaining the credibility and scholarly trust that define our journal. For access and detailed guidance, please visit Elsevier's PERK website.
      1. Fair Play and Independence
        Editors evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors. Decisions to edit and publish are not influenced by the policies of governments or other agencies outside of the journal itself.
      2. Confidentiality
        Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.
      3. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
        Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the express written consent of the author. Editors should recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the submission.
      4. Decision-Making and Peer Review
        Editors are responsible for deciding which of the manuscripts submitted to the journal should be published, based on the validation of the work in question, its importance to researchers and readers, and the reviewers’ comments. Furthermore, editors should ensure that the peer review process is fair, unbiased, and timely.
      5. Guidance for Authors and Reviewers
        Editors should provide clear guidelines to authors for the preparation and submission of manuscripts and ensure that reviewers are aware of their responsibilities and standards of expected ethical behavior. They should also ensure that peer reviewers' identities are protected.
      6. Monitoring Ethical Standards
        Editors should regularly monitor the ethical standards of their journals and work to improve them as necessary. This includes developing and updating guidelines for ethical publishing and investigating allegations of unethical conduct.
      7. Engagement with the Academic Community
        Editors should seek feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers for the improvement of the journal’s processes and should encourage responsible conduct of research and publishing ethics among authors and reviewers.
      8. Responsibility for Retractions, Corrections, and Expressions of Concern
        Editors should take reasonably responsive measures when ethical concerns are raised with regard to a submitted manuscript or published paper, including issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern as appropriate.
    6. Sanctions for Ethical Violations
      Ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record necessitates clear policies and procedures for addressing ethical violations. When authors, reviewers, or editors fail to adhere to ethical guidelines, it undermines the trust in the academic publication process and the validity of scientific work. As part of the commitment to maintaining high ethical standards, the following sanctions may be applied in response to breaches of these guidelines
      1. Initial Assessment
        Upon receiving allegations of unethical behavior, a preliminary assessment will be conducted to determine the validity of the claims. This assessment may involve direct communication with the parties involved and a review of the evidence.
      2. Warning
        In cases of minor breaches, a warning may be issued to the individual(s) involved, detailing the nature of the violation and reminding them of the publication's ethical standards.
      3. Revision or Retraction of Work
        For serious ethical violations related to a published work, such as plagiarism, fabrication of data, or duplications, the publication may retract the article or require a formal correction or retraction notice to be published. This process is aligned with the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which ensures that the nature of the ethical violation is clearly communicated and appropriately addressed.
      4. Suspension of Submission Privileges
        Authors found to have committed serious ethical violations may be prohibited from submitting any new manuscripts to the journal for a period determined by the severity of the infraction.
      5. Removal from Editorial or Reviewer Positions
        Editors or reviewers who consistently fail to follow ethical guidelines, or who abuse their positions, may be removed from their roles within the journal.
      6. Notification to Affiliated Institutions:
        In cases of severe ethical violations, the journal may contact the offender's affiliated institutions, funders, or regulatory bodies to inform them of the misconduct and the sanctions applied.
      7. Ban on Future Submissions
        Individuals found guilty of gross ethical misconduct may be permanently banned from submitting to the journal in the future.
      8. Public Disclosure
        Depending on the severity and nature of the ethical violation, the journal may opt to publicly disclose the details of the misconduct and the sanctions applied, ensuring transparency with the academic community and readership.
    7. Legal Compliance and Privacy Principles
      In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research and publication, adherence to legal standards and privacy principles is paramount. These guidelines are designed to protect the rights of individuals, ensure the integrity of research data, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to be aware of and comply with these principles throughout the publication process.
      1. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
        All research and publication activities must adhere to the relevant laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they are conducted. This includes but is not limited to data protection laws, copyright laws, and regulations governing human and animal research.
      2. Data Privacy and Confidentiality
        The privacy and confidentiality of research participants must be safeguarded. Personal data should be anonymized whenever possible, and sensitive information must be handled with the utmost care, following all applicable data protection guidelines.
      3. Informed Consent
        For research involving human participants, obtaining informed consent is a critical requirement. Consent documents should clearly communicate the scope of the study, the use of data collected, and any potential risks or benefits to participants. The documentation of informed consent must be available for review by the editors if necessary.
      4. Intellectual Property Rights
        Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. This includes obtaining permissions for the use of copyrighted material and respecting patent rights.
      5. Transparency in Funding and Conflicts of Interest
        The sources of funding for research should be transparently disclosed in the manuscript. Any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial, personal, or otherwise, that could influence the research or interpretation of findings, must be clearly stated.
      6. Protection of Research Participants
        The welfare of research participants must always be a priority. Studies should be designed and conducted in a manner that minimizes risk and protects the dignity, rights, and well-being of participants.
      7. Handling Sensitive Data
        When dealing with sensitive or classified information, authors must ensure that their publication does not compromise security or privacy. The publication of such information should be in line with ethical considerations and legal restrictions.
    8. One-time Publication Principle
      The integrity of the academic record is foundational to the progress of scientific research and its dissemination. To uphold this integrity, the principle of one-time publication is essential. This principle ensures that manuscripts are submitted and published once, avoiding the pitfalls of duplicate publication that can dilute the novelty and impact of research findings. Authors, by adhering to this principle, contribute to a more transparent, efficient, and credible scholarly communication system.
      1. Originality and Novelty
        Manuscripts submitted for publication must represent original research not previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere. This includes journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and any other forms of primary publication.
      2. Disclosure of Related Submissions
        Authors must disclose any related submissions to other publications at the time of submission. This includes works in progress, submitted, accepted, or published elsewhere that are closely related to the manuscript under consideration.
      3. Rationale for Concurrent Submissions
        On rare occasions, there may be a valid reason for submitting closely related work to more than one publication simultaneously. In such cases, authors must provide a clear and compelling rationale for the concurrent submission, detailing how the submissions differ and why separate publications are warranted.
      4. Avoiding Fragmentation of Research
        Submitting multiple manuscripts based on a single research project or dataset, divided to increase the number of publications rather than for valid scientific reasons, is discouraged. Such practices can fragment the scientific record and make it difficult for readers to access the full context of the research.
      5. Citations and References
        If parts of the manuscript overlap with previously published work, authors must cite these works appropriately, providing context for the contribution of the new submission beyond the existing literature.
      6. Responsibility for Compliance
        Authors bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that their submissions comply with the one-time publication principle. They should carefully consider the novelty and originality of their work in the context of their broader research output.
      7. Editorial Verification
        Editors play a critical role in verifying the originality of submissions and their compliance with the one-time publication principle. Through the use of plagiarism detection software and careful review of authors' publication histories, editors help maintain the scholarly record's integrity.
    9. Confidentiality in Peer Review
      The integrity, quality, and transparency of the research published depend significantly on the peer review process. Our journal employs a single-blind review system, wherein the identities of the reviewers are concealed from the authors throughout the review process. This confidentiality plays a pivotal role in ensuring that manuscripts are evaluated fairly and based on the content of their scholarship, free from any bias related to the author's identity, affiliations, or previous work. Upholding confidentiality within this framework is crucial for maintaining trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and the wider academic community.
      1. Anonymity in the Single-Blind Review Process
        While the reviewers' identities are shielded from the authors, the converse is not true in a single-blind review system. Despite the authors' identities being known to the reviewers, it is imperative that this information does not influence the review's objectivity.
      2. Protection of Intellectual Property
        Ensuring confidentiality also serves to safeguard the authors' intellectual property until their work is officially published. This principle is fundamental to respecting and preserving the original contributions of authors to their field of study.
      3. Communication and Decision-Making
        While the identities of the reviewers are not disclosed to authors, editors may share reviewers' comments and recommendations with the authors to enhance their manuscript. All such communications must strictly adhere to the confidentiality rules established by our journal.
      4. Reviewer Recusal
        If a reviewer recognizes a conflict of interest that could bias their review, they should recuse themselves from the review process. It is better to avoid participating in the review than to risk compromising the integrity of the evaluation.
      5. Guidance for Reviewers
        The journal provides guidance for reviewers on how to identify and disclose potential conflicts of interest. This guidance helps ensure that reviewers are aware of what constitutes a conflict and the importance of disclosure.
    10. Criteria for Authorship and Contributorship
      Determining who qualifies for authorship versus contributorship is crucial for maintaining transparency and integrity in scholarly publishing. Authorship should reflect substantial contributions to the research and the manuscript, whereas contributorship acknowledges important contributions that do not meet the full criteria for authorship. This section outlines the criteria for both roles
      1. Authorship Criteria
        1. Substantial Contributions: Individuals claiming authorship must have significantly contributed to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. This includes participating in the ideation, research, analysis, or drafting significant portions of the manuscript.
        2. Drafting and Revising: Authors should be involved in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content. This ensures that all authors have a stake in the manuscript’s content and are prepared to defend its conclusions.
        3. Approval of the Final Version: All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript to be published. This approval signifies that each author takes public responsibility for the content of the manuscript.
        4. Accountability: Authors must agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. This involves ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
      2. Contributorship
        Contributions that do not meet all the above criteria for authorship should be recognized as contributorship. Contributors might include individuals who provided technical help, writing assistance, general support, data collection, or financial funding. Contributions should be acknowledged in a dedicated “Acknowledgments” section, detailing the nature of the contribution and thanking contributors by name.
    11. Changes to Authorship and Authorship Disputes
      The composition of authors for a manuscript reflects those who have made significant contributions to the work. It is important to establish the author list and the order of authors accurately before submission, as changes can complicate the publication process and potentially lead to disputes. This section outlines the protocol for managing changes to authorship and resolving authorship disputes
      1. Before Submission
        Authors should discuss and agree upon the order and inclusion of authors based on their contributions to the work before submitting the manuscript. All listed authors must have agreed to be named and must fulfill the criteria for authorship.
      2. Requesting Changes After Submission
        Any request to change the authorship (including adding or removing authors or changing the order of authors) after submission must be a joint decision of all original authors. The request should be made in writing to the journal editor, explaining the reason for the change. All authors, including those being added or removed, must agree to any proposed changes. The journal may require confirmation of agreement from all authors involved and may request further justification or documentation as part of its due diligence process.
      3. Authorship Disputes
        In cases of authorship disputes, the journal encourages the authors to resolve the issue collaboratively and amicably. If the dispute arises during the review or publication process, the journal reserves the right to halt the process until the dispute is resolved. If authors cannot resolve the dispute independently, they may need to refer the matter to their institution or an independent mediator for resolution. The journal may engage with the corresponding institution(s) or follow guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) if necessary. The journal expects all parties involved to adhere to ethical standards in resolving authorship disputes, ensuring fairness and transparency. To make a request, please contact us at the following email address: info@mesopotamian.press. For detailed procedures, please refer to our guidelines on the Request Form.
      4. Ethical Considerations in Post-Publication
        The integrity of the published record is paramount. Any post-publication changes must be made transparently, with all necessary details provided to ensure that the scientific record is accurate and complete. Authors should also notify the journal of any ethical concerns related to the published work, including issues that may have arisen after publication.
    12. Data Sharing and Reproducibility
      Ensuring reproducibility and transparency in research findings is crucial for scientific progress. Authors are encouraged to share their data and methods openly, facilitating the validation and replication of their work by other researchers. The journal supports data sharing practices that adhere to relevant guidelines and legal requirements, and all published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows others to freely distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, with proper attribution to the original authors. Authors should provide access to the data that supports their findings, when possible, and include detailed information about their methodologies to aid in reproducibility.
      1. Data Availability
        Authors should provide information on the availability of their data and how others can access it. This includes depositing data in public repositories or specifying how to request data access. Exceptions should be justified, and any data-sharing agreements or restrictions should be clearly stated.
      2. Ethical Compliance in Data Management
        Data management practices must comply with ethical standards, including safeguarding participant confidentiality and obtaining necessary permissions for data use. Authors should outline their data management procedures and address any ethical considerations related to data collection, storage, and sharing.
    13. Appeals and Complaints
      Authors who wish to appeal decisions made by the journal or submit complaints should follow the journal's formal process for appeals and complaints. The journal will review and address appeals and complaints fairly and transparently, ensuring that all concerns are considered and resolved appropriately.To make a request, please contact us at the following email address: info@mesopotamian.press.

      Updated August 22, 2024