Editorial Policy of Scientific Journal as Factor in Ensuring Principles of Publication Ethics

Abstract

The study aims to determine the essential criteria for assessing the compliance of the editorial policy of a scientific journal with the principles of publishing ethics and academic integrity. The research methodology uses the content analysis method. By this method, the content of the websites of "A" category scientific journals in social communications from the List of scientific professional editions of Ukraine as of October 1, 2022, has been analysed. The research also involves the use of methods of generalisation and grouping to determine the criteria for assessing the completeness of the information presentation of the editorial policy regarding publication ethics and prevention of unethical practices. The information content of the websites of scientific journals indicates thematic proximity but not the identity of the way of declaring the editorial policy regarding publication ethics and academic integrity. Emphasis on specific aspects of the editorial policy is a manifestation of the formation of the individual vision of the journal's editorial board of the concept of a quality scientific publication in line with generally accepted international standards. The novelty of the obtained results is in the definition of information blocks that serve as criteria for evaluating the completeness of the information presentation of the editorial policy regarding publication ethics and the prevention of unethical practices. These include the principles of publishing ethics, the review policy, and the policy of combating unethical practices. Conclusions. The widespread distribution of norms of publication ethics and academic integrity on the websites of scientific publications creates a single information field of requirements for participants in the publication process. The identified criteria for the completeness of the information presentation of the editorial policy in the field of publishing ethics determine the guidelines for the development of the content of the websites of new journals, as well as the transformation and adaptation to the modern requirements of already existing editions. The availability of detailed information on the principles of publishing ethics, review policy, and counteraction to unethical practices policy will increase the level of awareness and literacy of all participants in the publishing process: authors, editors, reviewers, and consumers of scientific information.

Keywords: scientific journal, editorial policy, publishing ethics, academic integrity, website.