Authors are required to:

• Submit original manuscripts free from plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and inappropriate data manipulation.
• Ensure that the manuscript has not previously been published and is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
• Appropriately acknowledge and cite all data, ideas, statements, and materials obtained from other sources.
• Present an accurate and objective account of the research with sufficient methodological detail to enable verification or replication.
• Limit authorship to individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the study.
• Obtain the consent of all listed authors before submitting the manuscript.
• Disclose all financial, professional, institutional, and personal conflicts of interest.
• Disclose all sources of research funding and financial support.
• Comply with recognised ethical standards for research involving humans or animals and provide ethical approval where applicable.
• Promptly notify the editor if a significant error or inaccuracy is discovered in a submitted or published manuscript.

Editors are responsible for:

• Making publication decisions based on academic merit, originality, methodological quality, relevance, and conformity with the journal’s scope.
• Evaluating manuscripts objectively without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, institutional affiliation, political belief, or other personal characteristics.
• Ensuring that eligible manuscripts undergo a fair and impartial double-blind peer-review process.
• Selecting qualified and independent reviewers with appropriate expertise.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of manuscripts, author information, reviewer identities, and editorial correspondence.
• Avoiding conflicts of interest and withdrawing from manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
• Protecting the integrity of the academic record.
• Investigating credible allegations of research or publication misconduct.
• Taking appropriate corrective action when ethical concerns arise.

Reviewers are expected to:

• Evaluate manuscripts objectively, fairly, and within their areas of expertise.
• Provide clear, evidence-based, respectful, and constructive feedback.
• Complete reviews within the agreed period or promptly notify the editor if unable to do so.
• Treat manuscripts and related materials as confidential documents.
• Refrain from sharing, copying, discussing, or using unpublished information for personal or professional advantage.
• Disclose potential conflicts involving authors, institutions, research topics, or funding bodies.
• Identify relevant published work that has not been appropriately cited.
• Immediately notify the editor of suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, falsification, or other ethical concerns.

The publisher is responsible for:

• Supporting the editorial team in implementing and maintaining ethical publication practices.
• Safeguarding editorial independence and ensuring decisions are based on academic considerations.
• Working with editors, reviewers, and authors to prevent and address publication malpractice.
• Publishing corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, and other notices transparently where necessary.
• Protecting the confidentiality and security of manuscript and author data.
• Supporting the permanent availability, accessibility, archiving, and digital preservation of published content.

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any relationships or interests that could influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, the research or publication process. These may include financial interests, employment relationships, institutional affiliations, personal relationships, academic competition, or intellectual commitments.

Where a conflict of interest exists, the relevant individual must withdraw from the evaluation or decision-making process.

The following practices are considered unethical and unacceptable:

All allegations will be handled confidentially, objectively, and fairly. The editorial team may request explanations, original data, ethical approval documents, or other relevant evidence.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, ECFi may:

• Return the manuscript for clarification or correction.
• Reject the manuscript.
• Suspend the review or publication process.
• Issue a correction or clarification.
• Publish an expression of concern.
• Withdraw or retract a published article.
• Notify the authors’ institutions or relevant authorities.
• Restrict future submissions from individuals involved in serious misconduct.

Authors will be given an appropriate opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.

ECFi is committed to maintaining an accurate and reliable scholarly record. Corrections will be published when an error affects the accuracy or interpretation of an article but does not invalidate its principal findings.

An article may be retracted where there is reliable evidence of serious misconduct, invalid findings, plagiarism, duplicate publication, unethical research, or other substantial violations. An expression of concern may be issued while an investigation is ongoing or where the evidence remains inconclusive.

All corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern will be clearly identified, linked to the original article, and published in accordance with applicable COPE guidance.