Publication ethics

  To ensure high ethical and professional standards, AHSTR adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We expect all authors, reviewers, and editors to strictly adhere to these ethical principles to maintain the integrity and validity of scientific research. AHSTR explicitly prohibits research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and falsification. The AHSTR strictly prohibits multiple submissions and citation manipulation, including excessive self-citation or 'citation rings' designed to artificially inflate metrics.

  The Editor-in-Chief (EiC) holds the final responsibility for determining which submitted articles should be approved for publication. Decisions are guided by editorial board recommendations and rigorous peer reviews.

Complaints and Appeals:

• Process: Email the Editorial Office with the Manuscript ID and a detailed rationale.
• Resolution: The EiC or an independent committee will investigate confidentially.
• Outcome: Decisions are final and communicated within 45 days.

Originality and Accuracy: Manuscripts must be original and not published elsewhere. AHSTR uses Turnitin to detect plagiarism (Threshold: <25% overlap).

Copyright & Permissions: Authors must obtain written permission from the copyright holder to reproduce any previously published figures or tables. The source must be explicitly cited in the corresponding figure caption or table footnote.

Disclosure and Transparency: All manuscripts must include:

AI-Generated Content: Authors must disclose the use of Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies. Authors retain full responsibility for the integrity of their work.

  To maintain high standards of transparency and integrity, AHSTR requires both editors and reviewers to strictly adhere to shared ethical duties regarding confidentiality, conflict of interest, and objectivity. Under our single-blind peer review process, all unpublished materials, ideas, and reviewer identities must be treated as privileged information and kept confidential, with any use of such content for personal gain or citation without written consent strictly prohibited. Both parties are obligated to recuse themselves from the review process if any personal, professional, or competitive conflicts of interest arise that could compromise impartiality. Ultimately, publication decisions and reviews must remain strictly objective, focusing on the manuscript’s original contribution to the field, the clarity of its argument, and the reliability of the evidence presented. Furthermore, reviewers serve as critical guardians of scholarly rigor by identifying missing citations and alerting editors to any potential overlaps with previously published works.

  Authors are encouraged to share raw data, code, and materials via public repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Dryad). AHSTR reserves the right to request raw data during peer review.

• • Copyright: Authors transfer copyright to AHSTR upon acceptance.
• • Licensing: Published under CC BY-NC 4.0 (Non-commercial reuse with attribution).

Research Integrity and Misconduct: To uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, AHSTR employs a rigorous framework for detecting misconduct, utilizing Turnitin and expert peer review to prevent plagiarism and ethical breaches. The journal encourages authors, reviewers, and readers to report any suspicions of misconduct proactively. All allegations are managed in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, ensuring a confidential and comprehensive investigation by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board.

Investigation Process and Disciplinary Action: During an investigation, authors are provided a formal opportunity to respond to the evidence. If the investigation confirms misconduct, AHSTR will take appropriate action, which may include issuing a Correction (Erratum), an Expression of Concern, or a formal Retraction. Conversely, if allegations are found to be unsubstantiated, the case will be dismissed and all involved parties notified. This process ensures transparency while protecting researchers' rights.

Post-Publication Discussion and Corrections: AHSTR fosters ongoing scholarly disccusion by welcoming "Letters to the Editor" and constructive critiques of published work. If errors are discovered post-publication, the journal will issue a Correction (Erratum) or Addendum. In cases of serious ethical breaches or fundamental errors that invalidate the research findings, a formal Retraction will be issued following COPE guidelines.

To report ethical concerns, potential misconduct, or for any inquiries regarding our policies, please contact the AHSTR Editorial Office.