The Online Literary Archive of Northwestern Agusan Colleges is dedicated to promoting ethical practices in publishing and maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. This Publication Ethics Policy outlines the guidelines and responsibilities for all stakeholders, including authors, editors, reviewers, and readers, to ensure the ethical conduct of research and publication activities.

Author Responsibilities

1.1. Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their submitted works are original and have not been previously published or under consideration elsewhere. Any sources used must be appropriately cited and credited. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.

1.2. Authorship: All individuals who have made significant contributions to the research or writing process should be listed as co-authors. The corresponding author should ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and have agreed to its submission for publication.

1.3. Data and Results: Authors should accurately present their research findings and provide sufficient details and supporting data to allow for reproducibility. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is unacceptable.

1.4. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that may influence or be perceived as influencing the research or manuscript. Such conflicts of interest should be acknowledged in the submitted work.

Editor Responsibilities

2.1. Fair Review Process: Editors are responsible for ensuring a fair and unbiased review process. Manuscripts should be evaluated based on their intellectual merit, regardless of the author's race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.

2.2. Confidentiality: Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and not disclose any information regarding the manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and editorial board members.

2.3. Conflict of Interest: Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest, such as personal relationships or collaborations with the authors.

2.4. Plagiarism and Misconduct: Editors should take appropriate actions when cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other forms of misconduct are identified. This may include rejecting the manuscript, informing the author's institution, or publishing a retraction or correction.

Reviewer Responsibilities

3.1. Expert Evaluation: Reviewers should provide objective and constructive feedback to help authors improve their work. They should assess the manuscript based on its scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the field.

3.2. Timeliness: Reviewers should promptly notify the editor if they are unable to complete the review within the agreed-upon timeframe. A timely review is crucial for an efficient publication process.

3.3. Confidentiality: Reviewers must respect the confidentiality of the review process and not discuss or disclose any details of the manuscript without permission from the editor.

3.4. Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers should declare any conflicts of interest that may compromise their objectivity, such as competing research, collaborations, or personal relationships with the authors.

Reader Responsibilities

4.1. Respect for Intellectual Property: Readers should respect the copyright and intellectual property rights of the published works. They should not engage in unauthorized distribution, reproduction, or any other form of infringement.

4.2. Ethical Use of Information: Readers should use the published works responsibly and ethically, citing and acknowledging the original authors and sources appropriately.

Publication Ethics Violations

5.1. Investigation: Any suspected violations of this Publication Ethics Policy will be investigated promptly and thoroughly. The editor and editorial board will work together to gather and assess the relevant information.

5.2. Sanctions: If a violation is substantiated, appropriate actions will be taken, which may include rejection of the manuscript, retraction of the published work, notification of the author's institution, or prohibition of future submissions.

The Online Archive of Northwestern Agusan Colleges is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing. By adhering to this Publication Ethics Policy, we aim to maintain the integrity and credibility of our platform, fostering a culture of responsible research and scholarly communication.