Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
Mediální studia / Media Studies Journal follows the guidelines on the publication ethics and the resolution of suspected malpractice, as set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The editors, publisher, authors, and reviewers are required to comply with these guidelines.
Author’s Responsibilities
- Double Publishing
By submitting the manuscript to Mediální studia / Media Studies Journal, the author asserts that the manuscript is not under consideration or accepted for publication elsewhere. Papers which have already been published in a different language and which differ from these earlier versions only in the language used, not in its content (its findings and argumentation) will not be accepted. Offering the manuscript to another journal while it is in the review or editing process in Mediální studia / Media Studies is considered unethical. - Plagiarism
The author must ensure that the submitted manuscript is an entirely original piece of work. Whenever they have used the work or words of others, they are required to appropriately cite the sources in the manuscript. If the author corroborates on their earlier research studies published, they are required to appropriately cite those sources, as well. All forms of plagiarism are inadmissible and lead to the rejection of the article. - Authorship
The author should list as the co-authors all individuals who have significantly contributed to the design, execution, interpretation, and writing of the study. Any other persons who have contributed to the specific aspects of the paper (e.g. language editing) should be included in the paper acknowledgements. The author should identify the individuals who provided writing assistance and disclose the funding source for this assistance.
- Data Records
The author is expected to have their data available during the review process and for at least 5 years after the publication date. During this time, the author needs to keep accurate data records associated with their reviewed or published work. On a substantiated request, the author is required provide access to any such data. - Errors in Published Works
The author should notify the journal editor without delay if they become aware of a significant error in their publication. The author is required to cooperate with the editor or the publisher when a decision to publish an erratum or addendum or to withdraw the paper is considered necessary. - Conflict of Interest
If relevant, the submissions must include disclosure statement of all relationships which present a potential conflict of interest. All sources of financial support and sponsors for the research and preparation of the manuscript must be disclosed. Specifically, any role of sponsors in the study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, in the manuscript writing, and in submitting the manuscript should be described.
Reviewer’s Responsibilities
- Unbiased Consideration
The reviewer must consider each reviewed manuscript without any bias and judge each manuscript solemnly on its quality. The reviewer is constructive in their criticism and unambiguous in their argumentation. They formulate their comments and recommendation with the aim of helping the author of the manuscript reviewed and does not find themselves in the position of power and greater expertise for the sake of it. They do not attempt to rewrite the manuscript to their own preferred style if it is basically sound and clear. - Conflict of Interest
The reviewer should disclose to the editor any conflict of interest (financial, institutional, collaborative or other relationships between the reviewer and the author) which could affect their review impartiality. With clear concerns regarding their conflict of interest, the reviewers should reject considering the manuscript.
- Confidentiality
The reviewer must maintain the confidentiality of any information which they receive as a part of the review process from the editor or publisher. Without a clear indication of necessity for the review process, the reviewer must not retain, copy, or distribute the reviewed manuscript without the permission of the editor and the authors. The reviewer may not transfer their obligation to review the manuscript onto another reviewer without the knowledge and prior consent of the editor. - Alertness to Ethical Issues
The reviewer should inform the editor if they become aware of any published or considered content significantly similar to the manuscript under review. The reviewer should be alert to any potential ethical issues within the considered manuscript and she should inform the editor in the event of any arising concerns regarding research or publication ethics.
Editor and Publisher’s Responsibilities
- The role of the Editor and Publisher
The publisher and editors of Mediální studia / Media Studies Journal take reasonable steps to identify and prevent the publication of papers where research misconduct has occurred. Under no circumstances does the journal or its editors encourage such misconduct, or knowingly allow such misconduct to take place. In the event that the journal publisher or editors are made aware of any allegation of research misconduct, the publisher or editors will deal with any such allegations appropriately. The journal and its editors are always willing to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions and apologies when necessary. - Unbiased Consideration
The editor evaluates the manuscripts for their content and quality without regard to the race, religion, nationality, sex, gender, seniority, institutional affiliation, or any other characteristics of the authors. - Conflict of Interest
The editor abstains from decisions on papers which they have written themselves, which have been written by the editor’s significant others or collaborators, or which relate to products or services in which the editor has an interest. All submissions are always subject to the journal’s usual procedures.
- Confidentiality
The editor protects the confidentiality of all information made available by the authors to the journal and protects the identities and communications with the reviewers unless agreed otherwise. Unpublished content included in the submitted manuscripts must not be used by the editor for their own research or personal advantage unless the editor obtains the author’s prior written consent. - Ensuring Fair Peer-Review Process
The editor ensures that the peer review process is fair and without unnecessary delays. Research articles are always considered by at least two external independent reviewers. The editor selects reviewers who have expertise in the relevant field and makes reasonable steps to avoid the selection of fraudulent reviewers. The editor reviews all disclosures of conflicts of interest to check for potential bias. - Artificial Influencing of the Journal Ranking
The journal editor does not attempt to artificially influence the journal’s ranking. Specifically, except for genuine scholarly reasons, the editor does not prompt authors to add references to the articles already published in Mediální studia / Media Studies, articles published by the editor, or to products in which the editor has an interest.
Procedure for Dealing with Misconduct Suspicions
In the case of any complaints from the readership or any particular concerns about ethics, plagiarism or data fabrication, the editor will consult with other Editorial Board members to determine what action should be taken (e.g. publishing a correction, clarification, apology, or withdrawing an article). Upon making a decision, appropriate action will be taken as soon as possible.