Publication Process & Ethics

The publication of Book Chapters/Books in a peer-reviewed learned institution serves many purposes beyond simple communication. It is a building block in developing a rational and respected knowledge network — prima facie evidence of the quality and impact of an author's research work and, by extension, the institutions that support them.

The ethical requirements for all parties involved include, but are not limited to:

• Publisher: We require publishers to promote and comply with industry best practices. The publisher shall provide editors with technical, procedural, and legal support and ensure their editorial decisions are independent.
• Editors: Editors shall follow industry best practice, ensuring editorial decisions and the peer review process are fair, unbiased, and timely.
• Reviewers: Reviews shall be conducted objectively. Reviewers are responsible for ensuring the review process is fair, unbiased, and timely, and may also assist authors in improving their work.
• Authors: Authors should ensure they have written entirely original works and should not generally publish material that describes essentially the same work as a previous publication.

All authors are requested to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest — including any financial, personal, or other relationships with other people or organizations, within three years of beginning the submitted work — that could inappropriately influence or be perceived to influence their work.

Guardianship of the Scholarly Record

The publisher has a supporting, investing, and nurturing role in the scholarly communication process and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that best practice is followed in its publications, in accordance with STM/COPE Codes of Conduct.

Darwaish Press takes its duties of guardianship over the scholarly record seriously — recognizing its responsibilities as the keeper of "the minutes of science" in all its policies and ethical guidelines.

Safeguard Editorial Independence

We are committed to ensuring that potential advertising, reprint, or other commercial revenue has no impact or influence on editorial decisions.

Collaborate to Set Industry Best Practice

We promote best practices by following COPE guidelines and providing editors with Crossref/Turnitin Similarity Check reports for all submissions.

Technical, Procedural & Legal Support

Darwaish Press supports editors in communications with other publishers and is prepared to provide specialized legal review and counsel where necessary.

Educate Researchers on Publishing Ethics

We provide extensive education and advice on publishing ethics standards — particularly for early-career researchers — by conducting workshops in institutions.

Publication Decisions

The Managing Editor/Editors are solely and independently responsible for deciding which submitted Book Chapters/Books should be published. The validation of the work and its importance to researchers and readers must always underwrite such decisions. Editors may be guided by editorial board policies and legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.

Peer Review

The Managing Editor/Editors shall ensure the peer-review process is fair, unbiased, and timely. At least two external and independent reviewers must typically review submissions. Editors shall select reviewers with suitable expertise, considering appropriate, inclusive, and diverse representation, and shall follow WAME Best Practices to avoid fraudulent peer reviewers.

Fair Play

Editors should evaluate Book Chapters/Books for their intellectual content without regard to authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy. Editorial policies should encourage transparency and complete, honest reporting.

Confidentiality

The Publisher/Editors must protect the confidentiality of all submitted material and communications with reviewers. Unless an open peer-review system operates, Editor must protect reviewers' identities. Unpublished materials must not be used in an Editor's own research without the author's written consent.

Declaration of Competing Interests

Any potential editorial conflicts of interest should be declared to the publisher before the editor's appointment. The Editor must not be involved in decisions about publications they have authored or co-authored, and all such submissions must undergo normal peer review handled independently of the relevant author.

Vigilance over the Published Record

The Editor should work to safeguard the integrity of the published record by reviewing and assessing reported or suspected misconduct. Where convincing evidence of misconduct exists, the Editor should coordinate with the publisher to arrange prompt publication of a correction, retraction, or expression of concern.

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists the Editor in making editorial decisions and may also help the author improve the publication material. Any reviewer who feels unqualified or is unable to complete a timely review should notify the Editor and decline to participate.

Confidentiality

Any Book Chapter received for review must be treated as a confidential document. Reviewers must not share review information with anyone or contact the authors directly without permission from the Editor.

Alertness to Ethical Issues

A reviewer should be alert to potential ethical issues in the submitted material, including any substantial similarity or overlap with other published work, and bring these to the Editor's attention.

Standards of Objectivity & Competing Interests

Reviewers should conduct reviews objectively, be aware of personal bias, and express views clearly with supporting arguments. Reviewers should consult the Editor before agreeing to review a paper where they have potential conflicts of interest. Any suggestion to add citations must be for genuine scientific reasons, not to increase the reviewer's citation count.

Reporting Standards

Authors of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed and an objective discussion of its significance. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention

Authors may be asked to provide supporting data for editorial review and/or to comply with open data requirements. Authors should be prepared to provide public access to such data and retain it for a reasonable number of years after publication.

Originality and Acknowledgement of Sources

Authors should ensure they have written entirely original works. If the work or words of others have been used, this must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in all its forms — from passing off another's paper as one's own to copying substantial parts without attribution — constitutes unethical behavior and is unacceptable.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Submitting the same manuscript to more than one publisher concurrently, or submitting previously published material, constitutes unethical behavior and is unacceptable.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to those who have contributed significantly to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All substantial contributors should be listed as co-authors. The corresponding author should ensure all appropriate co-authors are included and have approved the final version before submission.

Authors take collective responsibility for the work. Each author is accountable for ensuring questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Declaration of Competing Interests

All authors should disclose financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could be viewed as inappropriately influencing their work. Examples include employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, patent applications, and grants. Potential conflicts should be disclosed at the earliest possible stage in accordance with WAME guidelines.

Notification of Fundamental Errors

When an author discovers a significant error in their published work, it is their obligation to promptly notify the Editor or publisher and cooperate to retract or correct the paper if the Editor deems it necessary.

Image Integrity

It is not acceptable to enhance, obscure, move, remove, or introduce a specific feature within an image. Adjustments of brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable only as long as they do not obscure or eliminate information present in the original. Manipulation for other purposes constitutes scientific ethical abuse and will be dealt with accordingly.

Darwaish Press welcomes new book proposals — whether you're looking to turn your PhD thesis into a book, have an idea for an undergraduate textbook, a teaching resource, a handbook, a scholarly reference book, or are writing for a professional audience.

Before Submitting, Consider:

• Does your book idea have a unique selling point — an angle on the topic that is new, interesting, innovative, and/or compelling?
• Is there a clear demand for your book from an academic or professional audience?
• Is the scope of your book's concept broad enough to be of interest to readers on a global scale?
• What makes you the best person to write this book? What experience and research background makes you an expert?

What a Book Proposal Consists Of

A book proposal provides an initial overview of a book or open access book project in advance of completing a manuscript. Please read our book proposal guidelines for a detailed overview of what is expected.

After Submission

Your proposal will initially be read by Editor(s) to assess its suitability. Subject to editorial approval, it will undergo an external peer review process. Experts will provide feedback on quality and scope before submission to the Publishing Committee/Editorial Board for final approval. If approved, you will be offered a publishing contract.