Privacy Statement

This journal is committed to protecting the privacy of all users and complying with applicable data protection laws and best publishing practices. This privacy statement explains how personal data are collected, used, stored, and disclosed through the journal website and submission system.

1. Information Collected

The journal collects personal information from users during registration, manuscript submission, peer review, and editorial processes. This may include:

  • Name, affiliation, and contact details (email address, phone number)

  • ORCID iD (if provided)

  • User role information (author, reviewer, editor)

  • Manuscript-related metadata and files

  • Communication records related to submissions, reviews, and editorial decisions

2. Purpose of Data Collection

Collected data are used exclusively for scholarly publishing purposes, including:

  • Managing manuscript submissions and peer review

  • Editorial decision-making and production workflows

  • Communication with authors, reviewers, and editors

  • Publishing articles and related metadata

  • Indexing, archiving, and dissemination of published content

  • Improving the quality and integrity of the journal

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

Personal data will not be sold or used for commercial marketing purposes. Information may be shared only as necessary with:

  • Editors and reviewers for peer-review and editorial processes

  • Publishing and hosting service providers supporting journal operations

  • Indexing, abstracting, and archiving services (e.g., Crossref, Scopus, PubMed, DOAJ, EMBASE), limited to required metadata

All data sharing is conducted in accordance with ethical publishing standards and applicable legal requirements.

4. Data Storage and Security

The journal uses appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel involved in journal operations.

5. Data Retention

Personal data are retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes of scholarly publishing, record-keeping, and compliance with indexing and ethical requirements. Published article metadata may be retained permanently as part of the scholarly record.

6. Author and User Rights

Users have the right to:

  • Access and update their personal information

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request deletion of personal data, subject to legal, ethical, and scholarly record obligations

  • Withdraw consent where applicable

Requests regarding personal data may be submitted to the journal’s editorial office.

7. Cookies and Usage Data

The journal website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve functionality and user experience. These data are used only in aggregated form and do not identify individual users.

8. Third-Party Services

External services linked to or integrated with the journal (such as indexing platforms or analytics tools) are governed by their own privacy policies. The journal is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.

9. Compliance with Publishing and Ethical Standards

This privacy statement aligns with best practices and ethical standards recommended by COPE, ICMJE, and major indexing databases including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, DOAJ, and EMBASE.

10. Updates to This Privacy Statement

The journal may update this privacy statement periodically. Any changes will be posted on the journal website and will apply from the date of publication.

11. Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding this privacy statement or the handling of personal data, please contact the journal’s editorial office.