Authors submitting manuscripts to RSCSL are expected to:

• Submit only original and unpublished work not under consideration elsewhere
• Present research honestly, accurately, and transparently without fabrication, falsification, manipulation, or inappropriate data selection
• Properly acknowledge the work of others through accurate citation
• Ensure all listed authors meet authorship criteria and approve the final version
• Disclose all sources of financial support and any conflicts of interest
• Obtain all required ethical approvals for research involving human participants, animals, or confidential records
• Obtain informed consent where required
• Cooperate fully with the Editorial Office during and after peer review
• Promptly notify the journal if a significant error is discovered post-publication

Authors remain responsible for the integrity of their work throughout the publication process and after publication.

Editors are responsible for maintaining the quality, integrity, and independence of the editorial process. Editors shall:

• Evaluate manuscripts solely on scholarly merit
• Ensure a fair, objective, and timely peer review process
• Protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts
• Select qualified and independent reviewers
• Avoid conflicts of interest and recuse themselves where appropriate
• Address allegations of publication misconduct promptly and fairly
• Make editorial decisions independently of commercial, financial, institutional, or political influence
• Correct or retract published articles when necessary to preserve the scholarly record

Editors must not use unpublished materials for personal research or professional advantage.

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality of published research. Reviewers are expected to:

• Conduct reviews objectively, professionally, and constructively
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all manuscripts under review
• Decline review invitations when conflicts of interest exist or expertise is lacking
• Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe
• Identify relevant literature that should be cited
• Report suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, image manipulation, unethical research practices, or publication misconduct
• Refrain from using confidential information obtained during peer review for personal or professional benefit

The publisher supports the Editorial Board in maintaining ethical publishing practices by:

• Safeguarding editorial independence
• Providing appropriate publishing infrastructure
• Supporting ethical investigations when concerns arise
• Preserving the scholarly record
• Promoting transparency in journal operations
• Ensuring that financial considerations do not influence editorial decisions

Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are original. The journal does not consider manuscripts that:

• Have been previously published
• Are simultaneously under consideration elsewhere
• Constitute duplicate publication
• Represent redundant publication without proper disclosure

Where portions of previously published work are reused, appropriate citation, transparency, and editorial disclosure are required.

Research involving human participants, identifiable personal information, vulnerable populations, or other activities requiring ethical oversight must have received approval from an appropriate institutional ethics committee or review board before the research was conducted. Authors should provide:

• Name of the approving ethics committee
• Approval or protocol number, where applicable
• Date of approval, when available

Where ethical approval was not required, authors should provide an appropriate explanation within the manuscript.

Authors must protect the dignity, privacy, rights, and confidentiality of research participants. Special care is expected for studies involving:

Identifiable information should not be published unless explicit informed consent has been obtained and publication is ethically and legally justified.

Authors, reviewers, editors, and Editorial Board members must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence—or reasonably appear to influence—the editorial or publication process.

Where conflicts are identified, appropriate management measures, including recusal or reassignment, will be implemented to preserve editorial independence.

When significant errors or ethical concerns are identified post-publication, the journal may take action, including:

• Publishing corrections
• Issuing errata
• Publishing expressions of concern
• Retracting articles
• Removing articles where legally or ethically necessary

These actions are undertaken to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record rather than to punish authors.

RSCSL investigates credible allegations involving plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication/falsification, authorship disputes, undisclosed conflicts, peer review manipulation, citation manipulation, and ethical violations involving research participants.

Investigations are conducted confidentially, fairly, objectively, and without prejudice. The journal may seek clarification from relevant parties before reaching a decision.

Authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, and members of the public are encouraged to report suspected publication misconduct to the Editorial Office.

Reports should include sufficient supporting information to facilitate an objective investigation.

Individuals reporting concerns in good faith will be treated respectfully, and their confidentiality protected whenever reasonably possible.