Statement of Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

The Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review adheres to the Statement of Ethics, adapted from the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors (COPE, 2011).

Editorial Board

The editorial board of Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review is responsible for maintaining the integrity of all published materials. Editors ensure that the peer review process remains confidential and upholds ethical standards. Decisions on publication are based on originality, clarity, and scientific relevance, with a commitment to unbiased assessments. Reviewers must provide fair and justified evaluations while maintaining confidentiality and reporting any suspected plagiarism or content similarities. The journal does not charge fees for article evaluation or publication.

To uphold academic integrity, the editorial board issues corrections, retractions, and clarifications when necessary, without letting their decisions be influenced by commercial, political, or personal interests. Editors investigate allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism and ghostwriting, following COPE recommendations and seeking expert or legal advice when needed. In cases of academic disputes or technical errors, additional clarifications may be published. Editors also provide clear submission guidelines to support authors in preparing their manuscripts.

Peer Review

Manuscripts submitted to Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review undergo an anonymous peer review by at least two scholars. Peer review ensures research integrity by providing constructive feedback and filtering. Reviewers must maintain confidentiality, disclose conflicts of interest, assist editors in decision-making, and offer objective, well-supported critiques. They should also identify relevant uncited work and report significant similarities with existing research.

Peer review in academic journals must be conducted with awareness of potential biases, even in the double-blind peer review adopted by Studia Politica. Reviewers should try to avoid unconscious bias, and if they suspect the author's identity, consult with the Editorial Board. To uphold fairness and integrity, reviewers should anchor their assessments in concrete evidence from the paper or proposal, ensuring that judgments are objective and free from external biases.

Authorship / Responsibilities of Authors

Submitted work must be original and unpublished, unless it extends previous research. Authors must provide data to verify results if requested (except confidential data) and should not submit to multiple journals simultaneously. Authors must disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, including financial support, upon submission. They are also required to follow all ethical guidelines relevant to their discipline.

Authors must properly acknowledge and reference previous work, including their own, citing primary literature when possible. Data, text, figures, or ideas from other researchers should be clearly credited and not misrepresented as original. Direct quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks with appropriate citations. Additionally, authors should inform editors of any prior publications, multiple reports, or analyses of the same data under consideration elsewhere, providing relevant copies for transparency.

By signing the Declaration of Academic Integrity, the authors agree that they do not violate any other rights, including but not limited to copyright, intellectual property, or ethical standards in research and publication. They affirm that their submission is original, properly cites all sources, and does not infringe upon the rights of other researchers, publishers, or institutions. Authors confirm their significant contributions, critical revisions, approval of the final version, and accountability for the work’s accuracy. Proper citation of all sources, including their own, is required.

In the case of collective authorship of a submitted paper, the corresponding author acts on behalf of all co-authors and makes sure that the integrity and accuracy of any part of the work are addressed in compliance with the editorial standards of Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review. The corresponding authors ensure that: all listed authors have approved the articles prior to submission, including details on the names and order of authors; manages all communication between Studia Politica and all co-authors before and after submission of the article; ensures that disclosures, declarations, and transparency on data statements of all authors are included in the submitted articles.

Authors are expected to respond in a professional and timely manner to the reviewers’ comments and work together with the editor or publisher to correct their work promptly if errors or omissions are discovered even after publication.

Copyright

Upon acceptance for publication, authors retain copyright of their work but grant Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review a license to publish, distribute, and archive the article. The work is published under the Romanian Copyright Law, allowing others to share and adapt it with proper attribution and in accordance with academic standards. Authors are responsible for securing permissions for any third-party content used. Any copyright violations or ethical concerns should be reported to the journal for resolution in accordance with the COPE guidelines that the Studia Politica abides by.

Correction and Retraction

In accordance with COPE guidelines, Studia Politica. Romanian Political Science Review ensures transparency and integrity in handling corrections and retractions. If minor errors are identified, editors assess their impact and, when necessary, publish a correction notice clearly linked to the original article. In cases of serious ethical breaches or significant errors that compromise the validity of research, a thorough investigation is conducted, involving authors and, if required, their institutions. Authors are given the opportunity to respond before a final decision is made. If a retraction is necessary, a formal notice is issued, detailing the reasons while maintaining access to the original article, appropriately marked as retracted.

For any ethical concerns, please contact us at studiapolitica@unibuc.ro.