Code of Publication Ethics

The Journal of Architecture, Planning and Construction Management (JAPCM) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Guided by the COPE Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, this Code of Publication Ethics outlines the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors, and provides clear procedures to prevent and address malpractice.

Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors are expected to submit only original work that is free from plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of data. Manuscripts must not be under consideration by another journal or published elsewhere in substantially similar form. All research must be presented accurately, with sufficient detail to allow verification and reproducibility. Proper acknowledgment of sources is required, and all significant contributions must be cited appropriately. Authorship should be limited to those who have made substantial intellectual contributions, with the corresponding author responsible for ensuring that all co-authors approve the final version of the manuscript and its submission.

Authors must also ensure that their manuscripts do not infringe copyright or intellectual property rights. If copyrighted material exceeding approximately 100 words from a journal article or 500 words from a book is used, written permission must be obtained. Breach of copyright will lead to retraction of the manuscript and may be reported to the relevant authorities. With regard to generative AI, authors are permitted to use such tools only to improve readability and language, and any use must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript. AI tools cannot be credited as authors, and the generation or alteration of images and figures using AI is prohibited, except where it forms an explicit part of the research methodology, in which case the methods must be described in full detail. Authors must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest and comply with ethical requirements for research involving human subjects, including informed consent and confidentiality.

Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers play an essential role in ensuring the quality of published work. They are required to treat all manuscripts as strictly confidential and may not share or use the content for personal gain. Importantly, reviewers must not upload manuscripts or parts thereof into generative AI tools, as this would compromise confidentiality. Reviews should be conducted objectively, providing constructive and evidence-based feedback without personal criticism of the author. If reviewers identify ethical concerns such as plagiarism, redundant publication, or data manipulation, they are obliged to report these to the editors. Reviewers must also recuse themselves from evaluating manuscripts where conflicts of interest, whether financial, professional, or personal, could compromise impartiality.

Editors’ Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for ensuring that all editorial decisions are fair, unbiased, and based solely on academic merit. Manuscripts must be judged without regard to authors’ personal background, institutional affiliation, or beliefs. Editors are required to maintain confidentiality and, like reviewers, are strictly prohibited from uploading manuscripts into generative AI tools. They must oversee a rigorous and timely double-blind peer review process, selecting qualified and independent reviewers while striving for diversity and impartiality. In cases of suspected misconduct, editors are obliged to initiate investigations in accordance with COPE guidelines. If ethical breaches are confirmed, appropriate actions will be taken, including rejection prior to publication or retraction of already published articles, accompanied by notification to the relevant institutions.

Unethical Behavior and Consequences

JAPCM treats all allegations of unethical publishing behavior with the utmost seriousness. Any proven case of plagiarism, falsification, or ethical violation will lead to corrective measures, which may include public retraction, formal notices of misconduct, reporting to the authors’ institutions, or prohibition from future submissions. The journal is committed to preserving the integrity of academic publishing and upholding trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.