Ethical Standards and Good Publishing Practices

Pharos adheres to the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) throughout the entire process of article preparation, submission, and publication. Authors should consult these guidelines prior to submitting their articles.

Authors certify that the article submitted is original and does not constitute redundant, simultaneous, or fragmented publication (including the so-called “salami publication”). Articles that have been previously published on websites or similar platforms will be considered already published.

Pharos welcomes articles derived from doctoral or master’s theses or dissertations. In such cases, this should be clearly indicated in the submitted article. In any case, the article must be self-contained in terms of its objectives, development of the research problem, and conclusions.

In order to detect potential malpractice, Pharos may subject all articles that pass the initial evaluation stage to similarity detection software or AI use detection software, particularly when initial reading suggests possible plagiarism or extensive AI-assisted writing.

Articles submitted to Pharos must not be under consideration by another journal at the same time. Likewise, if the author wishes to withdraw an article from the editorial process, they must formally notify the Editor.

Authors assume full responsibility for the content of their articles. All individuals listed as authors must have made a substantial contribution to all stages of the research process, including data collection, analysis, and writing. if necessary, the Editor will request a formal authorship statement.

Authors are required to respect copyright and to provide accurate and complete acknowledgment of all sources cited in the article.

Research involving human participants must comply with internationally recognized ethical standards for research and personal data protection, including anonymity, confidentiality, and informed consent obtained prior to research and publication. The Editor may request documentation, such as consent forms or institutional approvals, to verify compliance with ethical requirements.

Regarding authorship, it is recommended that authors avoid unethical conduct and clearly distinguish between authorship and acknowledgements. For further guidance, authors may consult the work available at: https://www.lluiscodina.com/etica-articulos-cientificos/