The University UDECIC, through its system of scientific journals, is committed to promoting a culture of ethics, transparency, and responsibility in the communication of knowledge. Academic publishing represents an exercise of trust among authors, editors, reviewers, and readers; therefore, every actor involved must act with integrity, respect, and academic rigor.
Compliance with the highest ethical standards strengthens the university’s scientific reputation and contributes to the sustainable development of knowledge within the Latin American context. For this reason, the University UDECIC adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Principles of Transparency and Best Practices in Scholarly Publishing, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA), and the SciELO Guide of Good Practices for Strengthening Ethics in Scientific Publication.
Ethical Duties of Authors
Authors are responsible for the truthfulness and originality of the content they submit for evaluation. The submission of a manuscript implies acceptance of the following principles:
a. Originality and exclusivity:
Only unpublished works not under simultaneous consideration by other journals will be accepted. Duplication, fragmentation, or manipulation of results constitutes a serious breach of academic ethics.
b. Integrity of information:
Authors must accurately describe methods and results, ensuring traceability and verifiability. Any deliberate falsification, omission, or alteration will be considered scientific misconduct.
c. Source acknowledgment:
All references used must be properly cited, respecting copyright laws. Information obtained through private or confidential means (peer reviews, correspondence, consulting) must not be used without explicit authorization.
d. Responsible authorship:
Authorship is limited to those who have made substantial contributions to the study’s design, development, or interpretation. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors approve the final version and consent to its submission. Authorship contributions must be declared following the CRediT taxonomy.
e. Declaration of conflicts of interest:
Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the objectivity of the work, as well as identify funding sources or projects associated with the research.
f. Correction and retraction:
If significant errors are detected after publication, authors must notify the editorial team to arrange corrections or retractions according to institutional policies. In cases of complaints or allegations, the authors will be the first to be notified.
Responsibilities of Editors and the Editorial Board
Editors and editorial board members are guarantors of the quality and transparency of the publication process. Their mission is to ensure that editorial decisions are based solely on scientific relevance, academic merit, and originality.
a. Evaluation criteria:
The acceptance or rejection of manuscripts depends on compliance with methodological, ethical, and originality standards, without discrimination based on nationality, gender, institutional affiliation, or theoretical stance.
b. Peer review:
UDECIC journals implement a double-blind peer review process, ensuring impartiality and data confidentiality. Reviewers are selected based on their technical competence and ethical commitment.
c. Confidentiality and neutrality:
Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts or use their content for personal or third-party benefit.
d. Conflicts of interest:
Editors with personal, academic, or financial ties to authors or their institutions must refrain from participating in the editorial process.
e. Procedures for irregularities:
In cases of suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or undeclared conflicts of interest, the journal will follow COPE’s recommended procedures for investigation and resolution, prioritizing transparency and due process.
Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers
Peer review is an essential component of ensuring scientific quality and improving manuscripts prior to publication.
a. Competence and commitment:
Reviewers must accept only manuscripts within their area of expertise and comply with the journal’s deadlines.
b. Objectivity and respect:
Evaluations must be based on technical arguments, free from personal judgments or ideological bias. Comments should be constructive and aimed at strengthening the academic quality of the manuscript.
c. Absolute confidentiality:
All reviewed manuscripts and related data are strictly confidential. No information may be disclosed or used for personal or institutional gain.
d. Detection of misconduct:
Reviewers are obliged to inform the editor of any suspected cases of plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplication, or ethical violations identified in the manuscripts.
e. Conflicts of interest:
Reviewers must decline participation in any review where relationships could compromise their impartiality (recent collaborations, direct competition, institutional or personal connections).
Procedures for Misconduct in Publication
The journals of the University UDECIC maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward scientific misconduct.
Any suspicion of plagiarism, data falsification, manipulation of authorship, or undeclared conflicts of interest will be investigated following the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. Possible measures include warnings, suspension of the editorial process, article retraction, or notification to relevant authorities. All allegations are taken seriously and are subject to thorough investigation and resolution.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Open Science
In line with its institutional mission, the journals of the University UDECIC promote open science, transparency in editorial processes, and the ongoing training of their academic contributors.
The editorial system is committed to periodically reviewing its ethical policies, incorporating new international guidelines, and fostering respect for epistemic and cultural diversity in Latin American scientific production.
