PUBLICATION ETHICS

 
 

Publication Ethics

ABOUT THIS POLICY

Our Commitment to Ethical Publishing

Blockchain Frontier Technology (BFRONT) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal. This statement clarifies the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in scholarly publishing, including authors, the Editor-in-Chief, the Editorial Board, peer reviewers, and the publisher, Pandawan Sejahtera Indonesia. The journal's publication ethics framework is based on the current Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

DETAILED POLICIES

Publication Ethics and Responsibilities

The following sections outline the ethical standards and responsibilities applicable to everyone involved in the publication process.

SECTION 01

Ethical Guidelines

All participants in the publication process are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Authors must ensure that their work is original, accurate, and responsibly reported. Editors and reviewers must act impartially, maintain confidentiality, and disclose any conflicts of interest. The publisher supports the journal in implementing ethical policies and addressing suspected misconduct in accordance with established publication ethics standards.

The journal may investigate suspected ethical violations, request supporting evidence, consult independent experts or relevant institutions, and take proportionate editorial action where warranted. Relevant COPE guidance may be consulted when handling complex publication ethics cases.

 
SECTION 02

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts should be published. Decisions are based on the manuscript's scholarly merit, originality, relevance to the journal's focus and scope, methodological rigor, reviewer recommendations, and compliance with ethical requirements. Editorial decisions must not be influenced by commercial interests, personal relationships, or discriminatory considerations.

SECTION 03

Double-Blind Peer Review

BFRONT applies a double-blind peer-review process in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from one another. Manuscripts are evaluated by qualified reviewers for originality, technical quality, methodological soundness, relevance, and contribution to the field. Reviewers provide constructive and evidence-based feedback, while editors ensure that review outcomes are handled fairly and consistently.

SECTION 04

Non-Discrimination

Editorial decisions are made without discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political beliefs, institutional affiliation, or other irrelevant personal characteristics. Manuscripts are assessed according to their scholarly quality, originality, relevance, and compliance with the journal's requirements.

SECTION 05

Confidentiality

Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must treat submitted manuscripts and related communications as confidential. Manuscript content must not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals or used for personal advantage. Confidential information obtained during the editorial process must be protected unless disclosure is required by applicable law or necessary to investigate a credible allegation of misconduct.

SECTION 06

Duties of Reviewers

6.1 Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers assist editors in making informed decisions and help authors improve the quality of their manuscripts through constructive and evidence-based feedback.

6.2 Promptness

Reviewers who cannot complete a review within the agreed timeframe should promptly inform the editor and, where appropriate, decline the invitation.

6.3 Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with unauthorized persons.

6.4 Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

Reviews must be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate, and comments should be clear, respectful, and supported by scholarly reasoning.

6.5 Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited and alert the editor to substantial similarities or overlaps with other publications of which they are aware.

6.6 Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must disclose potential conflicts of interest and decline to review manuscripts when personal, professional, institutional, or financial relationships could compromise their impartiality.

SECTION 07

Duties of Authors

7.1 Reporting Standards

Authors must present their research accurately and provide sufficient detail and references to allow others to understand and assess the work. Fabricated, falsified, or misleading results are unacceptable.

7.2 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original, appropriately cite the work of others, and avoid plagiarism, including unattributed copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, and unauthorized reuse of material.

7.3 Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal or publish substantially the same research in multiple publications without appropriate justification and disclosure.

7.4 Authorship

Authorship must reflect substantial scholarly contributions to the research or manuscript. All listed authors should approve the final version and agree to its submission. Individuals who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately rather than listed as authors.

7.5 Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose financial and non-financial relationships that could influence the research, its interpretation, or its reporting. Relevant funding sources and institutional support must also be acknowledged.

7.6 Fundamental Errors in Published Works

If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must promptly notify the editor and cooperate in issuing a correction, retraction, or other appropriate editorial notice.

7.7 Research Ethics and Human or Animal Subjects

Research involving human participants, animals, personal data, or other ethically sensitive subjects must comply with applicable ethical standards. Authors should provide relevant ethics approval, informed consent, and participant-protection information when required.

7.8 Data Availability and Reproducibility

Authors should report methods and data accurately and provide access to supporting research data where appropriate, legally permissible, and consistent with privacy, confidentiality, and ethical obligations.

7.9 Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies

Authors must transparently disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies when required by the journal's policy. Such tools must not be listed as authors, and authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of all submitted content.

SECTION 08

Research and Publication Misconduct

Research and publication misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication: Making up data, results, or research findings.
  • Falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, data, or results in a misleading manner.
  • Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, text, data, or work without proper attribution.
  • Duplicate publication: Republishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure.
  • Authorship misconduct: Improper attribution, ghost authorship, gift authorship, or unauthorized changes to authorship.
  • Peer-review manipulation: Interfering with the review process or providing false reviewer identities or information.
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Failing to report relationships or interests that could compromise research integrity.

Editorial response: Suspected misconduct will be assessed fairly and confidentially. Where appropriate, BFRONT may request explanations or supporting evidence, consult relevant institutions, reject a manuscript, publish a correction or retraction, or take other actions consistent with publication ethics standards.

SECTION 09

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

9.1 Corrections

Corrections may be issued when a published article contains errors that affect its accuracy, clarity, or completeness but do not invalidate the overall findings.

9.2 Retractions

A retraction may be issued when findings are unreliable due to significant error or misconduct, or when publication ethics violations undermine the integrity of the article. Retraction notices should explain the reasons clearly and remain linked to the original publication.

9.3 Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern may be published when credible questions about a paper's integrity arise but an investigation is ongoing or insufficient evidence is available to reach a definitive conclusion.

9.4 Editorial Record and Transparency

Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern will be handled transparently and in accordance with relevant publication ethics guidance. The journal aims to preserve the scholarly record and communicate significant changes to readers.

SECTION 10

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose financial, professional, personal, institutional, or other relationships that could influence or be perceived to influence their judgment. Editors will take appropriate measures to manage disclosed conflicts, including assigning an independent editor or reviewer when necessary. A conflict of interest does not automatically imply misconduct, but failure to disclose a relevant conflict may compromise the integrity of the publication process.

SECTION 11

Complaints and Appeals

Authors and other stakeholders may submit complaints or appeals concerning editorial decisions, publication procedures, or suspected ethical violations. Complaints should include relevant details and supporting evidence. BFRONT will review concerns impartially, maintain appropriate confidentiality, and provide a reasoned response where possible. Appeals will be assessed by an editor or independent party who is not directly involved in the original decision, when appropriate.

SECTION 12

Duties of Editors

  • Evaluate manuscripts fairly and objectively based on scholarly merit and journal relevance.
  • Select qualified reviewers and manage the double-blind peer-review process responsibly.
  • Maintain confidentiality and protect information obtained during editorial handling.
  • Disclose and manage conflicts of interest that may affect editorial judgment.
  • Investigate credible allegations of research or publication misconduct and take appropriate action.
  • Issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when justified.
  • Ensure that editorial decisions are not improperly influenced by commercial, personal, or institutional interests.
SECTION 13

Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher, Pandawan Sejahtera Indonesia, supports the journal in maintaining editorial independence, publication integrity, and ethical standards. The publisher will cooperate with the editorial team in addressing suspected misconduct, correcting the scholarly record, and implementing appropriate procedures. Publishing interests must not override the journal's responsibility to make ethical and academically sound editorial decisions.

SECTION 14

Ethical Oversight and Compliance

BFRONT is committed to reviewing and improving its ethical policies and editorial practices as necessary. The journal may consult relevant institutions, experts, or recognized publication ethics organizations when handling complex cases. All parties involved in the publication process are expected to cooperate with legitimate investigations and comply with applicable ethical standards, legal requirements, and journal policies.

OUR EDITORIAL COMMITMENT

Integrity. Accountability. Trust.

BFRONT is committed to protecting the integrity of the scholarly record through fair editorial decisions, responsible peer review, transparent publication practices, and consistent adherence to publication ethics.