Editorial Ethics

The scientific journal «Smart Technologies Journal»    is committed to strictly adhering to the ethical principles established by various international organizations, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and to upholding high publishing standards by setting rules and norms for best practices in compliance with these requirements.

The editorial board of LLP Astana International University bears responsibility for making decisions regarding the selection of articles for publication. The evaluation of submitted works by editors must be limited solely to intellectual content. The editorial board may, at its discretion, reject any material that violates legal requirements regarding defamation, copyright infringement, or plagiarism. The editors are obliged to ensure the confidentiality of submitted works prior to publication.

Publishing an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential element in developing a coherent and valuable body of knowledge. It directly reflects the quality of the work of authors and the institutions supporting them. Peer-reviewed articles support and exemplify the scientific method. Therefore, it is crucial to align standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the journal editor, the reviewer, the publisher, and society.

1. Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors must guarantee that all participants meet the established authorship criteria. Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the research, participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript, approved the final version, and accepted responsibility for the integrity of the work.

Authors must carefully review the list and order of authors before submission and obtain permission from all co-authors prior to submitting the manuscript to the chosen journal.

If non-authors make significant contributions to the research, proper acknowledgment and gratitude must be expressed.

2. Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit original works that have not been previously published. Plagiarism in any form is prohibited and considered unethical behavior. When citing other research results, appropriate references must be provided. Authors must avoid redundant or duplicate publications to preserve the integrity of scientific results. Redundant publications include splitting one study into multiple submissions or self-plagiarism, while duplicate publications involve submitting the same study to two or more journals.

3. Data Integrity and Confidentiality

Authors must provide authentic data and ensure proper documentation. Where transparency and reproducibility are necessary, authors should make raw data and materials available upon the editor’s request.

When using confidential data, official information, or state-related materials, authors must comply with ethical and legal norms.

Public dissemination of review content or editorial correspondence is considered inappropriate conduct.

4. Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or institutional relationships, that could be perceived as influencing research results or their interpretation. This includes, but is not limited to, financial sponsorship by commercial organizations, connections with institutions that may benefit from the publication, or personal relationships that could affect the author’s work.

Authors must indicate all sources of funding, including grants, sponsorship, or financial contributions from external organizations. They must also clarify the role of these funding sources in the study design, data collection and analysis, or interpretation of results, where applicable.

5. Risks and Human or Animal Subjects

When conducting research involving individuals, animals, or confidential data, authors must follow ethical standards and guidelines, ensuring the protection of participants’ rights, dignity, and privacy. Respect for individuals and fairness must be maintained throughout the research process.

Authors must ensure that all necessary ethical approvals are obtained before the study begins. For research involving confidential data, informed consent must be obtained from participants, and data processing must comply with privacy laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring that their research complies with ethical and legal requirements to protect research integrity and participant welfare.