The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the editor and the peer reviewer.

Duties of the Publisher

• These guidelines have been written with all these requirements in mind but especially recognising that it is an important role of the publisher to support the huge efforts made by journal editors, and the often-unsung volunteer work undertaken by peer reviewers, in maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Although ethical codes inevitably concentrate on the infractions that sometimes occur, it is a tribute to scholarly practice that the system works so well and that problems are comparatively rare. The publisher has a supporting, investing and nurturing role in the scholarly communication process but is also ultimately responsible for ensuring that best practice is followed in its journal
• The editor is solely and independently responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published.  The editor may depend on issues such as libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. The editor may confer with other editors or reviewers in making these decisions.
• Research articles must be reviewed by at least two external and independent reviewers, and if necessary, the editor should seek additional opinions.
• The editor must make sure that the journal operates a double-blind review process which means the identities of the authors are concealed from the reviewers, and vice versa.
• The editor should ensure that the peer review process is fair. 
• The editor should select reviewers who have suitable expertise in the relevant field.
• The editor should evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content only.
• The editor must protect the confidentiality of all material submitted to the journal.

Duties of Editors 

• The editor is solely and independently responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published.  The editor may depend on issues such as libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. The editor may confer with other editors or reviewers in making these decisions.
• Research articles must be reviewed by at least two external and independent reviewers, and if necessary, the editor should seek additional opinions.
• The editor must make sure that the journal operates a double-blind review process which means the identities of the authors are concealed from the reviewers, and vice versa.
• The editor should ensure that the peer review process is fair. 
• The editor should select reviewers who have suitable expertise in the relevant field.
• The editor should evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content only.
• The editor must protect the confidentiality of all material submitted to the journal. 

Duties of Reviewers

• Peer review assists the editor in making editorial decisions and through the editorial communications with the author may also assist the author in improving the paper.  Peer review is an essential component of formal scholarly communication, and lies at the heart of the scientific method.  In addition to the specific ethics-related duties described below, reviewers are asked generally to treat authors and their work as they would like to be treated themselves and to observe good reviewing etiquette.
• The manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents.
•  Reviewers must not share the review with anyone or contact the authors directly without permission from the editor.
• A reviewer should be alert to potential ethical issues in the paper and should bring these to the attention of the editor, including any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which the reviewer has personal knowledge. Any statement that an observation, derivation, or argument had been previously reported should be accompanied by the relevant citation.

Duties of Authors

• Authors may be asked to provide the research data supporting their paper for editorial review
• Authors should be prepared to provide public access to such data, if practicable, and should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable number of years after publication.
• The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works
• Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given.
• Authors should cite publications that have influenced the reported work and that give the work appropriate context within the larger scholarly record.
• Any form of Plagiarism constitutes unethical behaviour and is unacceptable.
• The author should not submit a paper that has been published previously, another journal.