Ethical Principles and Publication Policy

Ethics

Sublime Porte (JoSP), mindful of the dignity of scholarly publishing and the trusteeship inherent in the academic tradition, conducts its publishing activity upon the principles of integrity, transparency, fairness, and responsibility. The Journal adheres, at every stage of the publication process, to the ethical framework set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and in particular adopts the fundamental principles and best-practice standards articulated in COPE’s “Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors” and “Code of Conduct for Journal Publishers.” This statement defines the duties and obligations of the publisher, editors, reviewers, and authors, and sets out the Journal’s institutional approach to the prevention and handling of ethical misconduct.

 

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher of JoSP regards safeguarding the reliability of the scholarly record as a solemn duty. The publisher’s principal responsibility is to ensure that research is assessed impartially, that publication decisions are reached in full editorial independence, and that unethical practices are prevented and, where necessary, remedied through appropriate corrective measures.

  1. Editorial Independence and Academic Freedom
  • The publisher guarantees that editors are able to reach decisions free from external influence.
  • Commercial considerations, institutional direction, political pressure, or personal interests may not be used as means to intervene in editorial processes.
  • The organization of peer review and all publication decisions fall within the editors’ remit; the publisher does not interfere in these matters.
  1. Scientific Integrity and Transparency
  • The publisher establishes and regularly updates the policies and guidelines required for the Journal to operate in accordance with recognized scholarly standards.
  • Submitted manuscripts are assessed on the basis of impartiality and objectivity.
  • A clear, traceable, and transparent framework is maintained for editors and reviewers in order to prevent bias and favoritism.
  1. Prevention and Handling of Ethical Misconduct
  • The publisher operates the necessary control mechanisms to prevent plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, fraud, and similar forms of misconduct.
  • Where ethical concerns are suspected or confirmed in a published work, the publisher:
    • conducts the inquiry in coordination with the editors,
    • initiates correction or withdrawal/retraction procedures where warranted,
    • establishes formal communication, as appropriate, with relevant institutions and research funders.
  • In such processes, the Journal follows a measured, evidence-based, and transparent approach in accordance with COPE guidance.
  1. Corrections, Withdrawals/Retractions, and Post-Publication Updates
  • Upon the identification of errors or misconduct, the publisher initiates correction and/or withdrawal/retraction procedures without delay.
  • Correction and withdrawal/retraction notices are published clearly, permanently linked to the relevant article, and recorded so as to preserve the scholarly record.
  • Policies and practices are maintained in alignment with COPE standards.
  1. Fairness and Impartiality in Peer Review
  • The publisher institutionally supports the fair and objective conduct of peer review.
  • At JoSP, evaluation is carried out under a double-blind peer-review model; the process is documented and remains auditable.
  • Guidelines are implemented to prevent conflicts of interest.
  1. Management of Conflicts of Interest
  • Principles are established to prevent conflicts of interest among editors, reviewers, and authors.
  • Disclosure of financial, institutional, or academic conflicts of interest is mandatory.
  • Where a conflict of interest arises, the matter is assessed and appropriate measures are taken.
  1. Open Science and Open Access
  • Sublime Porte supports the principles of open access and open science.
  • Policies are developed and implemented to remove barriers to access.
  • Open access practices are conducted in accordance with the Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 licensing framework.
  1. Data Transparency and Reproducibility
  • Authors are encouraged, where appropriate, to share data, methods, and supplementary materials.
  • Methodological reporting must be sufficiently clear to enable reproducibility.
  • Data-sharing practices are regulated in harmony with COPE guidance and open science principles.
  1. Continuity and Archiving
  • Digital archiving policies are implemented to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of journal content.
  • Published content is stored securely, and sustainable access for researchers is maintained.
  • Where appropriate, continuity is supported through systems such as LOCKSS/CLOCKSS.
  1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • The Journal observes principles of equality and fairness in its editorial structure, reviewer pool, and author evaluation processes.
  • The Journal maintains an explicit stance against discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, language, or geographic region.
  1. Institutional Responsibility and Cooperation
  • The publisher cooperates with editors, reviewers, authors, and readers in maintaining publishing standards.
  • Alongside COPE, the Journal follows international best-practice frameworks (e.g., DOAJ, WAME, OASPA).
  • Where necessary, the publisher cooperates with universities, research institutions, and funders in resolving ethical cases.

 

Ethical Principles for Editors

Sublime Porte editors, bearing the entrusted responsibility of scholarly publishing, make decisions within the framework of scholarly criteria, ethical and legal standards, and the scope of the Journal.

  1. Editorial Authority and Independent Decision-Making
  • Editors possess full authority and responsibility for publication decisions.
  • Acceptance/rejection decisions are based on academic merit and ethical compliance; external influence is not admissible.
  1. Fair and Impartial Peer Review
  • The double-blind peer-review process is administered with due rigor; confidentiality of identities is protected.
  • The author’s identity or affiliations (race, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, political views, etc.) are not considered in editorial decisions.
  • An editor with a conflict of interest withdraws from handling the manuscript and transfers responsibility to an impartial editor.
  1. Confidentiality
  • All information concerning submissions is treated as confidential and shared only with authorized individuals.
  • Unpublished content may not be used without the author’s explicit consent.
  • Confidentiality is preserved during ethical inquiries.
  1. Investigation of Misconduct and Sanctions
  • Suspicions of plagiarism, data fraud, redundant publication, conflicts of interest, and similar concerns are examined promptly and impartially.
  • In cases of serious misconduct, explanations are requested from the author(s); where necessary, institutions are contacted; and an appropriate correction, retraction/withdrawal notice, or warning is issued.
  1. Complaints and Appeals Mechanism
  • Complaints and appeals are addressed fairly, systematically, and transparently.
  • In appeals against rejection decisions, independent secondary assessment may be pursued where warranted.
  1. Post-Publication Integrity
  • Corrections are issued for substantive errors; retraction/withdrawal is applied for serious misconduct.
  • Notices are clearly labeled and permanently linked to the relevant article.
  1. Authorship Transparency
  • Only those who have made genuine contributions are listed as authors.
  • Guest/honorary/ghost authorship is strictly prohibited.
  • The corresponding author confirms contributions and approves the final manuscript.
  1. The Reviewer Role of Editorial Board Members
  • An editor/associate editor may not act as a reviewer for a manuscript they personally handle.
  • However, an editorial board member may be appointed as a reviewer for a manuscript managed by another editor, provided that (i) the expertise aligns with the subject and (ii) no conflict of interest exists; such cases are recorded and the process is transparently documented.

 

Ethical Principles for Reviewers

Peer review is a cornerstone of scholarly judgment at JoSP. Reviewers act in accordance with confidentiality, impartiality, and academic propriety.

  1. Confidentiality and the Double-Blind Principle
  • Manuscript contents are not shared with third parties.
  • Information learned during review may not be used for personal benefit.
  • Direct communication with authors is prohibited; anonymity is preserved.
  1. Impartial and Evidence-Based Assessment
  • Assessment is based on originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and fit with the Journal’s scope.
  • Personal accusations or derogatory language are prohibited; feedback must be constructive and well-reasoned.
  1. Competence, Timeliness, and Withdrawal from Review
  • Reviewers do not accept manuscripts outside their expertise; if they cannot complete the review on time, they promptly inform the editor.
  1. Conflicts of Interest
  • Potential conflicts (relationships with authors, competition, financial/institutional ties) are disclosed without delay and the review is declined.
  1. Reporting Ethical Concerns
  • Suspicions of plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data manipulation, or authorship irregularities are reported to the editor; reviewers do not contact authors directly.
  1. Constructive Reporting
  • Reviewer reports should include an overall evaluation, detailed critique, and concrete recommendations; major claims must be justified.

 

Ethical Principles for Authors

By submitting a manuscript, authors are deemed to affirm the originality of the work and their compliance with ethical standards.

  1. Originality and Plagiarism
  • The manuscript must be original and must not involve plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification.
  • The Journal uses iThenticate for plagiarism screening.
  • Submissions exceeding a 20% similarity index may, depending on editorial assessment, be rejected or returned for correction.
  • In cases of misconduct, measures may be applied in line with COPE, including correction/retraction, notification to institutions, and submission restrictions.
  1. Authorship and Contribution
  • Authorship is limited to those who have made substantial contributions.
  • All authors must have reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
  • Guest/honorary/ghost authorship is prohibited.
  • The corresponding author confirms contributions; where necessary, a contribution statement may be requested.
  1. Data Accuracy and Transparency
  • Data must be accurate and verifiable.
  • Upon request, authors provide raw data, supplementary materials, and methodological details.
  • If an error is identified after publication, authors promptly notify the Journal and cooperate in correction or retraction procedures.
  1. Ethical Approval and Protection of Subjects
  • Studies involving human/animal subjects must comply with relevant ethics committees and international standards.
  • Ethical approval and informed consent must be explicitly stated in the manuscript.
  1. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
  • Financial/institutional/personal conflicts of interest and funding sources must be disclosed.
  • If undisclosed conflicts are identified post-publication, a warning/correction/retraction may be considered.
  1. Reporting and Methodological Transparency
  • Research must be reported clearly, thoroughly, and in a reproducible manner.
  • Selective reporting, distortion of results, or data manipulation constitutes ethical misconduct.
  1. Simultaneous Submission and Redundant Publication
  • A manuscript may not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously.
  • Redundant/overlapping publications are not accepted. Exceptional cases (e.g., secondary publication) may be permitted with editorial approval.
  1. Citation and Acknowledgements
  • References must be accurate and complete. Failure to cite appropriately may be treated as plagiarism.
  • Individuals who contributed support but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged.
  1. Post-Publication Responsibility
  • In cases of significant error or ethical concern, authors cooperate with the Journal to implement correction or retraction procedures.
  1. Compliance with Journal Policies
  • Authors ensure compliance with submission rules, formatting requirements, and ethical standards.
  • The Journal reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet ethical/academic standards even if they have undergone peer review.

 

Contact: For all questions or notifications concerning ethical matters: editor@sublimeporte.org

 

 

Publication Policy

General Editorial Policies

Aims and Scope

Sublime Porte is committed to publishing scholarly works in accordance with universal academic publication principles. The journal is a peer-reviewed, Published biennially (June and December) international, and open-access academic publication. All participants in the publication process — the publisher, editors, authors, reviewers, and readers — are obliged to adhere to ethical standards and principles of academic integrity. The publication ethics of Sublime Porte are determined in line with the ethical principles and guidelines made publicly available by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). If manipulation, distortion, or fabrication of data is detected in any article, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author’s affiliated institution will be officially notified. The journal reserves the right to request data analysis files or supporting documentation from authors when necessary. Editors or members of the editorial board who submit an article to the journal cannot take part in the publication process of that issue.

 

Publisher’s Ethical Responsibilities

Sublime Porte is a non-profit academic journal that prioritizes the transmission of scientific and cultural knowledge. The journal has been publishing since 2025, in accordance with international academic standards. The Editorial Board consists of national and international scholars who are experts in their respective fields. The Editor-in-Chief may, when necessary, assign faculty members outside the board as field editors according to the subject of the manuscript. Members of the Editorial Board who submit articles to the journal do not take part in the review process for that issue.

 

Article Types
The following types of manuscripts are accepted:

  • Original research articles
  • Review articles
  • Book reviews
  • Short notes and discussion papers
  • Translated articles
  • Special issue contributions

Publication Process
Manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo an initial editorial review and, if deemed suitable, are forwarded to at least two reviewers with relevant expertise. Based on the double-blind peer review process, the editorial board decides on acceptance, revision, or rejection.

The average time from submission to final decision is approximately 40 days (around 6 weeks). During this period, authors receive detailed feedback from reviewers and editors. For minor revisions, a period of 1–2 weeks is granted; for major revisions, 2–4 weeks are allowed.

Accepted manuscripts are published online following typesetting and final proofreading.

Language Policy
The journal publishes articles in English and Turkish.
Submissions should be written in clear and academic language appropriate for the international scholarly community.
Authors whose native language is not English are encouraged to seek professional language editing services prior to submission.

Open Access and Licensing

Open Access Policy
Sublime Porte (JoSP)is a fully open-access journal. All published content is freely available to readers and institutions without charge. The journal supports the principles of Open Science and promotes unrestricted access to knowledge.

Licensing
All published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license.
This license allows users to share and adapt the content for non-commercial purposes, provided that proper attribution is given to the original work.

Peer Review Process and Publication Ethics
Peer Review Process
The journal employs a double-blind peer review system, where authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other.
Each submission is reviewed by at least two independent external reviewers.
The peer review process evaluates the following criteria:

  • Originality
  • Methodological rigor
  • Clarity and coherence
  • Contribution to the field

Decision Timeline: The average time from submission to final decision is approximately 40 days (about 6 weeks). Authors receive detailed feedback from reviewers and editors. Minor revisions are allowed 1–2 weeks, while major revisions may take 2–4 weeks.

Book reviews are, in principle, subject to a single-blind peer-review process. However, in cases where no external referee is assigned, the review is carefully examined by the editor-in-chief or the relevant field editor with regard to content, style, and form. When necessary, the author may be asked to make formal or substantive revisions. The type of evaluation applied is carried out in accordance with the editorial policies of Sublime Porte: Studies in the Transmission of Though

Reviewer Duties of Editorial Board Members:
Editors and editorial board members cannot serve as reviewers for manuscripts in which they are directly involved. However, they may be assigned as reviewers for manuscripts handled by other editors, provided there is no conflict of interest and the topic falls within their area of expertise. Such cases are documented transparently and handled in accordance with ethical standards.

Editorial Decisions and Appeals
The final decision regarding publication is made by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board.
Authors may appeal rejection decisions but must provide a detailed scientific or ethical justification.
Appeals are evaluated by an independent editor.

Ethical Principles
Sublime Porte (JoSP)adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects the highest ethical standards from authors, reviewers, and editors. The following misconducts are strictly prohibited:

  • Plagiarism
  • Fabrication and falsification of data
  • Duplicate or redundant submission
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Unethical research involving human or animal subjects

Authors’ Responsibilities
Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted manuscripts must be original and free from plagiarism, data fabrication, or manipulation.
The journal uses iThenticate software to detect plagiarism.
Manuscripts with a similarity index above 20% may be rejected.

Authorship Criteria
Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant scientific contributions to the research.
Guest, honorary, or ghost authorship is strictly prohibited.
The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript.

Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest.
All funding sources must be clearly stated.

Data Transparency
Authors must be willing to share raw data upon request.
Compliance with open data standards is encouraged.

Reviewers’ Responsibilities
Confidentiality
Reviewers must keep the manuscripts confidential and must not share any part of the content with third parties.
Information obtained through peer review must not be used for personal research.

Objectivity and Fairness
Review reports must be impartial, constructive, and free of bias.
Personal criticism directed at authors is not acceptable.

Ethical Oversight
Reviewers must notify the editor if they suspect plagiarism, data manipulation, or any ethical misconduct.
If there is a conflict of interest, reviewers must decline the review invitation.

Editorial Responsibilities
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are based solely on academic merit and ethical standards, and are made independently of political or commercial influence.

Addressing Ethical Violations
The journal follows COPE guidelines for investigating and resolving ethical breaches.
In the case of misconduct, the following actions may be taken:

  • Issuance of a correction or retraction
  • Notification of the author’s affiliated institution
  • Banning the author from future submissions

Copyright and Archiving
Copyright Policy
Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish it.
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license.

Archiving and Digital Preservation
The journal uses LOCKSS and CLOCKSS systems to ensure long-term digital preservation.
Each published article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure permanent accessibility.

Article Submission, Processing, and Publication Fees
Sublime Porte (JoSP)does not charge authors any fees for submission, peer review, or publication.

  • No Submission Fees – Authors can submit manuscripts free of charge.
  • Free Peer Review – All manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review without any cost.
  • No Publication Fees – Accepted articles are published open access at no cost to the authors.
  • No Extra Charges – There are no fees for article length, color figures, supplementary material, or datasets.

Sublime Porte (JoSP)embraces the open-access model to promote the free exchange of scientific knowledge without imposing financial burdens on authors.

No Submission Fees
The journal does not charge any fee for manuscript submission.

Special Issues and Conference Proceedings
Guest editors may organize special issues with the approval of the Editorial Board.
Conference papers may be published as special collections in accordance with the journal’s peer review policies.

Appeals and Complaints Policy
Authors, reviewers, or readers may submit appeals or complaints to the Editorial Office at: editor@sublimeporte.org 
All complaints will be handled confidentially and impartially.

Final Statement
Sublime Porte (JoSP)is committed to academic integrity, transparency, and inclusivity. By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to comply with the journal’s policies.