Publication Ethics

Journal of Architecture and Spatial Planning (JASP) is committed to maintaining high standards of academic integrity and responsible scholarly publishing. The journal expects all authors, editors, reviewers, and other parties involved in the publication process to uphold principles of honesty, transparency, fairness, confidentiality, and respect for intellectual property.

JASP follows internationally recognized principles of publication ethics and responsible scholarly publishing, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that submitted manuscripts are original and accurately represent the research undertaken.

Authors should:

  • present research findings honestly and accurately;
  • ensure that the manuscript has not been published previously or submitted simultaneously to another journal;
  • appropriately acknowledge and cite the work of other researchers;
  • ensure that all listed authors have made meaningful contributions to the research;
  • obtain appropriate permission for the use of copyrighted materials where necessary;
  • disclose relevant funding and conflicts of interest;
  • comply with applicable research ethics requirements; and
  • promptly inform the editorial team if a significant error is identified in a submitted or published manuscript.

Authors must not engage in plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, or other forms of academic misconduct.

2. Editors' Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for managing manuscripts fairly, objectively, and confidentially. Editorial decisions should be based primarily on the academic quality, originality, relevance, and suitability of the manuscript for the journal.

Editors should not discriminate against authors based on nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, personal characteristics, or other irrelevant considerations. Editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and should not use unpublished information obtained through the editorial process for personal or professional purposes.

Editors are also responsible for identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest throughout the editorial process.

3. Reviewers' Responsibilities

Reviewers contribute to the academic quality of JASP by providing objective, constructive, and confidential assessments of submitted manuscripts.

Reviewers should:

  • evaluate manuscripts objectively and professionally;
  • provide constructive comments that can assist authors in improving their work;
  • maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and review process;
  • disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest; and
  • inform the editor of any concerns regarding plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other forms of academic misconduct.

Reviewers should not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage.

4. Research Integrity

Authors are expected to report their research accurately and transparently.

Fabrication, falsification, inappropriate data manipulation, plagiarism, and deliberate misrepresentation of research findings are considered serious forms of academic misconduct. Where research involves human participants, interviews, surveys, personal information, or other ethically sensitive activities, authors are responsible for complying with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

5. Conflict of Interest

Authors, editors, and reviewers should disclose any financial, professional, institutional, personal, or academic relationship that could reasonably influence the research, review, or editorial decision.

Where a conflict of interest is identified, the editorial team will take appropriate measures to ensure that the integrity and objectivity of the publication process are maintained.

6. Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

JASP does not tolerate plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct.

Submitted manuscripts may be screened using an appropriate similarity detection system. Similarity results are considered as part of the overall editorial assessment and are not interpreted solely on the basis of a numerical percentage.

When substantial plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabrication, falsification, or other serious misconduct is suspected, the editorial team may request an explanation from the authors and take appropriate action, including rejection of the manuscript or post-publication correction or retraction where necessary.

7. Corrections and Retractions

JASP is committed to maintaining the integrity of the published scholarly record. If a significant error is identified after publication, the journal may publish a correction or clarification.

Where an article contains serious errors, unreliable findings, plagiarism, or other circumstances that substantially compromise the integrity of the publication, the journal may retract the article in accordance with appropriate editorial procedures. Corrections and retractions will be handled transparently and linked to the original publication where appropriate.

8. Complaints and Appeals

Authors and other stakeholders may communicate concerns or complaints regarding the editorial and publication process to the journal's editorial office.

The editorial team will consider complaints and appeals fairly and confidentially. Where necessary, the Editor-in-Chief may seek additional information or independent advice before reaching a decision. JASP is committed to resolving publication-related concerns responsibly while protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.

9. Commitment to Ethical Publishing

JASP is committed to promoting responsible research and ethical scholarly communication. All parties involved in the publication process are expected to act with integrity, respect confidentiality, disclose relevant conflicts of interest, and help maintain a fair and trustworthy academic publishing environment.