Authorship
An author is someone who contributes significantly and meaningfully to the creation and completion of a manuscript. The ICMJE recommends that authorship be based on satisfying each of the four criteria listed as follows:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work.
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published.
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
 

Acknowledgement
Acknowledging individuals who contributed to the preparation of a manuscript but did not qualify as authors, as well as organizations that provided support in terms of funds and/or other resources, is a crucial ethical practice that promotes transparency and fairness in scientific research. Authors should be precise, explicit, and brief in their acknowledgements, and they should get permission from any persons and organizations they desire to acknowledge.
 

Changes in authorship
In instances where alterations to the authorship of a manuscript or published article are required, adherence to the COPE guidelines will be observed. The privilege of requesting a modification in authorship is exclusive to the corresponding author. To modify the authorship of a manuscript, it is necessary to submit a request to the editor ([email protected]) by utilizing the Changes in Authorship Form.
 

Submission of manuscript
It is recommended that authors review the Author Guide prior to manuscript submission. The manuscript must adhere to the style and specifications outlined in the Author's Guide. All manuscript authors must meet the specified authorship requirements. Where feasible, it is advisable to delineate the individual contributions made by each of the authors. Authors' approval of the final manuscript version is a prerequisite for submission.  All authors are required to assert that they have read and approved the manuscript, as submitted. The manuscript should include a declaration of conflicts of interest. Online submission of manuscripts is required through the Journals Submission System.

Conflict of interest
According to WAME, a conflict of interest (COI) arises when a person's obligations to scientific and publishing activities and their private interests (competing interests) diverge to the point where a reasonable observer might question whether the person's actions or decisions were influenced by their competing interests.

• Authors must disclose any financial or relevant interests that could have influenced the manuscript's development.
• Reviewers must disclose and abstain from reviewing any manuscript that presents a conflict of interest.
• Editors must avoid manuscripts with potential conflicts of interest. These manuscripts will be reassigned to a different editor. 

Confidentiality
A manuscript that has been submitted is considered confidential. JUQUMS will only share submitted manuscripts with those involved in the processing and preparation of the manuscript for publication, provided it is accepted. Editors, members of the editorial board, corresponding authors, prospective reviewers, and actual reviewers are among these people.  In cases of suspected misconduct, the manuscript may be disclosed to the ethics committee of the journal and relevant institutions/organizations for resolution.
 

Misconduct
Misconduct encompasses actions that contravene established editorial policy, journal guidelines, publication ethics, or the relevant criteria stipulated by organizations like COPE, WAME, ICMJE, and STM. It includes any activities that compromise the integrity of the research or publication process. These actions may involve plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, authorship disputes, or other breaches of ethical standards. When allegations of misconduct arise, our journal takes them seriously and follows a strict protocol outlined by COPE to thoroughly investigate and address the issue. Our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics in research and publishing underscores the importance of addressing and rectifying any instances of misconduct promptly and fairly.

Reporting Misconduct: If you suspect research or publication misconduct related to any content published in JUQUMS, please bring it to our attention promptly. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate any reported cases.
Investigation Process: Receipt of Complaint: We will acknowledge receipt of any misconduct complaint and initiate a confidential investigation.
Initial Assessment: An initial assessment will be conducted to determine the validity of the complaint and whether it warrants a full investigation.
Investigation: If a full investigation is warranted, a committee or designated individuals will investigate the alleged misconduct. This may involve contacting the author(s), reviewer(s), or relevant parties for clarification.
Resolution: Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings. These actions may include corrections, retractions, or other remedies, as deemed necessary.
Confidentiality: Throughout the investigation process, confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible, taking into account the need for transparency and the rights of all parties involved.
Appeals: Authors and parties involved in misconduct investigations have the right to appeal the outcome. Information on the appeals process will be provided to relevant parties.
Retraction and Corrections: In cases where research misconduct is confirmed, we will follow the guidelines and recommendations provided by the COPE for retractions and corrections.
Prevention: JUQUMS is committed to preventing research misconduct. We encourage authors, reviewers, and editors to familiarize themselves with ethical guidelines and best practices for scholarly publishing.

Article correction and retraction

We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of scholarly integrity and ethical publishing. We understand that, on rare occasions, issues may arise that require corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern to rectify the scientific record. Our commitment to transparency and accuracy in academic publishing guides our approach to addressing such matters.

Published articles may be corrected with the approval of the journal editors. The extent of the corrections will be determined by the editors. The original article is subject to direct minor corrections. In instances with major changes, the initial article will remain unaltered, and a revised version will be published alongside it. The original and corrected versions will be linked. A statement explaining the rationale behind the significant modification to the article will be released. Articles will be retracted in accordance with COPE retraction guidelines, as needed.

Editorial expressions of concern
Editors may publish a statement to alert readers if they become aware of significant concerns regarding the interpretation or conclusion of a published article. Editorial Expressions of Concern may be published in cases of extensive investigations involving complex issues or when concerns have a substantial and immediate impact on public health or policy. Although a subsequent Correction or Retraction may replace it, an Editorial Expression of Concern will persist as a permanent part of the published record.

Our Approach to Handling These Matters:

Prompt and Thorough Review: Upon receiving notice of potential issues, our editorial team initiates a thorough investigation to determine the appropriate course of action.
Consultation with Authors: We engage with the authors to understand their perspectives and gather additional information when necessary.
Transparent Communication: If a correction, retraction, or expression of concern is warranted, we communicate this to our readers, providing a clear and transparent account of the situation and the reasons behind the action.
Maintaining Integrity: Our actions are guided by our commitment to upholding the integrity of the scientific record and ensuring that any violations of ethical publishing practices are appropriately addressed.

We believe that openness and accountability are essential for maintaining trust within the academic community. Our policies regarding corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern follow COPE guidelines and align with these principles. We are dedicated to addressing such matters swiftly and transparently to uphold the standards of scholarly publishing.

Authorship disputes
The Journal cannot investigate or adjudicate authorship disputes during peer review or after acceptance and publication. The responsibility of resolving the dispute will be delegated to the authors. The Journal may withdraw a manuscript from the editorial process or report the issue to the authors' institution(s) and comply with their guidelines if the authors are unable to meet the requirements.