Arbitration and AI policies

Arbitration (Appeals and Complaints) Policy

NTU Journal of Pure Sciences (NTU-JPS)

1. Purpose

The NTU-JPS Arbitration Policy ensures that all appeals, complaints, and disputes related to editorial decisions, peer review, or publication ethics are handled in a fair, transparent, and timely manner. This policy protects the rights of authors, reviewers, and editors while upholding the journal’s integrity.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

Appeals against editorial decisions (e.g., rejection of a manuscript).
Complaints about the peer review process, editorial conduct, or ethical breaches.
Disputes regarding authorship, plagiarism, or data integrity.
Requests for reconsideration of post-publication actions (e.g., corrections, retractions).

3. Principles

Fairness: All cases will be considered impartially without bias.
Transparency: The process and timeline will be communicated to all parties.
Confidentiality: All proceedings will remain confidential to protect all individuals involved.
Compliance: All arbitration follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

4. Appeals Procedure

1. Submission of Appeal

Authors must submit a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the editorial decision.
The appeal must clearly state the reason for disagreement, supported by evidence (e.g., scientific arguments, factual corrections).

2. Initial Review

The Editor-in-Chief will acknowledge receipt within 7 days.
If the Editor-in-Chief was directly involved in the disputed decision, the appeal will be handled by a designated Associate Editor or Editorial Board Panel.

3. Arbitration Panel

A panel of at least two editorial board members and one external expert will review the appeal.
The panel may request additional independent peer reviews if necessary.

4. Decision

The final decision will be communicated in writing within 30 days of the appeal submission.
Decisions of the arbitration panel are final and binding.

5. Complaints Procedure

1. Filing a Complaint

Complaints must be sent in writing to the Editor-in-Chief via the journal’s official email.
The complaint should specify the nature of the problem, supporting documents, and desired resolution.

2. Investigation

The Editor-in-Chief will conduct a preliminary review within 10 days.
If necessary, an independent committee will be formed to investigate.

3. Outcome

Findings will be shared with all parties involved.
Appropriate corrective action will be taken, including apologies, editorial corrections, or policy changes.

5. Post-Publication Disputes

Any disputes regarding published content (e.g., data errors, misattribution, ethical breaches) will be handled according to the Withdrawal and Correction Policy of NTU-JPS.

6. Contact Information

All appeals and complaints should be sent to:
Editor-in-Chief
NTU Journal of Pure Sciences (NTU-JPS)
Email: wafamahmood@ntu.edu.iq

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

NTU Journal of Pure Sciences (NTU-JPS)

1. Acceptable Use

AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, image generation software) may be used for language editing, grammar checking, or data visualization assistance.
AI use must be transparent and disclosed in the manuscript’s “Acknowledgments” section.

2. Unacceptable Use

AI cannot be listed as an author.
AI tools may not be used to generate original research content, fabricate data, or replace human critical thinking.
Use of AI in image/data generation must be accompanied by a clear methodology and source disclosure.