The International Journal of Community Service and Sustainability (IJoCSS) is a peer-reviewed international electronic journal. This statement outlines the ethical behavior expected of all parties involved in the publication process: authors, the Editor-in-Chief, the Editorial Board, peer reviewers, and the publisher (Nusantara Jnana Mandala). This statement is based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of an article in IJoCSS is an essential component in the development of a coherent and respected body of knowledge in the field of community service and sustainability. It reflects the quality of the authors' work and their supporting institutions. Peer-reviewed articles are fundamental to the scientific process, and it is crucial to uphold ethical standards for all parties involved in the publishing process: authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers.

Nusantara Jnana Mandala, as the publisher of IJoCSS, takes its responsibilities at all stages of publishing seriously. We are committed to ensuring that advertising, commercial revenue, or sponsorship has no influence on editorial decisions. The publisher and the Editorial Board are also committed to cooperating with other journals and publishers when necessary and appropriate.

Duties of Editors

1. Publication Decisions
The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for deciding which manuscripts will be published. The decision should be based on the work’s quality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and its importance to researchers and readers. Editors must comply with applicable legal requirements related to libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.

2. Fair Play
Editors evaluate manuscripts based solely on their academic merit, without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.

3. Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and must not disclose any information to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher, as appropriate.

4. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor’s own research without the express written consent of the author.

Duties of Reviewers

1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer review assists editors in making editorial decisions and helps authors improve their manuscripts through constructive feedback.

2. Promptness
Reviewers who feel unqualified to review a manuscript or unable to complete the review within the required time should notify the editor promptly and decline the invitation.

3. Confidentiality
All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and should not be shared or discussed with others unless authorized by the editor.

4. Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted objectively and provide clear, constructive, and respectful feedback. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate.

5. Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant works not cited by the authors. They should also inform the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and other published works.

6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Information obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage. Reviewers should not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions involved.

Duties of Authors

1. Reporting Standards
Authors must present accurate and complete accounts of their research, along with an objective discussion of its significance. Data should be reported truthfully and in sufficient detail to allow replication. Fabrication or falsification is unethical.

2. Data Access and Retention
Authors may be requested to provide the raw data for editorial review and should be prepared to make such data publicly available, where possible. Data should be retained for a reasonable period after publication.

3. Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is original. If the work or words of others are used, proper citation and acknowledgment must be provided. Plagiarism in any form is unethical and unacceptable.

4. Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time or publish the same research in multiple journals. Such behavior is considered unethical.

5. Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite all relevant publications that have influenced the research.

6. Authorship of the Paper
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.

7. Hazards and Human/Animal Subjects
If the work involves the use of hazardous materials, human participants, or animals, authors must clearly identify these aspects and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

8. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Authors should disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their research. All sources of financial support must be acknowledged.

9. Fundamental Errors in Published Works
If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must notify the journal editor or publisher promptly and cooperate to retract or correct the article.