Publication Ethics

Pamana: Journal of Customary Law is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and best practices in scholarly publishing. This statement is based on the guidelines and recommendations developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the principles of transparency and integrity in academic publishing.

All parties involved—authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to adhere to the following ethical standards.

A. DUTIES OF AUTHORS

1. Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. Any use of the work or words of others must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in all its forms, including self-plagiarism (redundant publication), constitutes unethical behavior and is unacceptable. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarized content will be rejected immediately.

2. Data Integrity and Fabrication

Authors should present an accurate account of the research performed and an objective discussion of its significance. Falsification or fabrication of data, including the manipulation of images or selective misrepresentation of findings, is a serious ethical violation.

3. Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work. For studies involving indigenous communities or customary law, authors are also expected to acknowledge the source communities and traditional knowledge holders, respecting their intellectual property rights.

4. Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All co-authors must have seen and approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to its submission for publication. Corresponding authors are responsible for ensuring that all appropriate co-authors are included.

5. Multiple or Concurrent Submissions

Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to more than one journal. This constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or substantive conflicts of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. All sources of financial support for the research should be disclosed.

7. Respect for Indigenous Communities

For research involving indigenous peoples or customary law subjects, authors must demonstrate that the research was conducted ethically, with respect for local customs, and where applicable, with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the community concerned.

8. Fundamental Errors

If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their own published work, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate to retract or correct the paper.

B. DUTIES OF EDITORS

1. Fair Play and Impartiality

Editors evaluate submitted manuscripts solely on their academic merit, intellectual content, and relevance to the journal's scope. Decisions are made without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or institutional affiliation.

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, and the publisher, as appropriate.

3. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors will not use unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research without the express written consent of the author. Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest.

4. Decision Making

The editor is responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published, based on the validation of the work, its importance to researchers and readers, and the legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. Editorial decisions may be informed by the policies of the journal's editorial board and constrained by such legal requirements.

5. Investigation of Misconduct

Editors have a duty to act if they suspect misconduct or if an allegation of misconduct arises. This duty extends to both published and unpublished papers. The editor will follow COPE guidelines in investigating and resolving any ethical complaints.

C. DUTIES OF REVIEWERS

1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists the editor in making editorial decisions and, through editorial communication with the author, may assist the author in improving the manuscript. Reviewers perform a critical, objective, and constructive evaluation of the scholarly work.

2. Confidentiality

Any 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.

3. Objectivity and Timeliness

Reviews should be conducted objectively and constructively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Referees should express their views clearly with supporting arguments. Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess the research or cannot meet the deadline should notify the editor promptly.

4. Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. They should also call to the editor's attention any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.

5. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers should not review 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.

D. DUTIES OF THE PUBLISHER

Pamana: Journal of Customary Law is committed to ensuring that the publication process is fair, ethical, and timely. The publisher will work closely with the editors to:

  • Ensure editorial independence.

  • Support the editors in dealing with ethical complaints.

  • Promote best practices in research and publication.

  • Ensure the integrity and reputation of the journal.

E. HANDLING OF ETHICAL MISCONDUCT

Pamana: Journal of Customary Law follows the COPE flowcharts for dealing with cases of suspected misconduct. These may include:

  • Plagiarism and self-plagiarism.

  • Data fabrication and falsification.

  • Duplicate submission or publication.

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest.

  • Authorship disputes.

  • Ethical issues regarding research involving indigenous communities.

The journal reserves the right to reject, retract, or issue corrections or expressions of concern for any article found to violate these ethical standards.