Ethics

Introduction

Annals of Mathematics and Computer Science (AMCS) strives to ensure the integrity of its academic content and publishing process with utmost rigor. We are dedicated to upholding publication ethics throughout the entire editorial process, from submission to final publication. AMCS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for ethics violations and takes such instances very seriously. Our editors enforce a rigorous peer-review process to safeguard the academic integrity of our publications. To ensure compliance, articles may undergo verification using the Crossref Similarity Check tool.

Editors, reviewers, and authors are expected to adhere to AMCS policies on publication ethics, which are based on guidelines adopted from  Cambridge University Press and aligned with those provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Research Integrity

Research published by AMCS is expected to adhere to the following principles:

- Honesty should be upheld in all aspects of research.
- Research practice should demonstrate scrupulous care, thoroughness, and excellence.
- Transparency and open communication should be fostered.
- Care and respect should be shown to all research participants and subjects.
- Accountability is necessary for maintaining research integrity, including acknowledging and addressing any deviations from our standards.

If anyone believes that research published by AMCS does not align with these principles, they should raise their concerns by contacting the editorial office via email at admin@annalsmcs.org.

Editorial Process

We are committed to ensuring editorial independence and strive to prevent any compromise of this principle due to competing interests, fear, or financial influence. AMCS does not discriminate against authors, editors, or peer reviewers based on personal characteristics or identity. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, removing barriers to inclusion, and fostering equity at every stage of our publishing process. Appeals of editorial decisions or related concerns should be directed to the editorial office via email at admin@annalsmcs.org.

AMCS does not tolerate abusive behavior or correspondence towards our staff and individuals involved in the publishing process. In the event of such behavior, we reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect others from abuse. This may include, for example, withdrawing a manuscript from consideration or addressing clearly abusive peer review comments.

Peer Review

Peer review plays a crucial role in maintaining the standards of our publications. We undertake the following measures:

- Provide appropriate systems, training, and support to ensure rigorous, fair, and effective peer review for all our publications.
- Encourage editors and peer reviewers to familiarize themselves with and adhere to relevant best practice guidelines on peer review, such as COPE’s Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
- Support editors and peer reviewers in investigating and taking action against suspected cases of manipulated or fraudulent peer review.
- Safeguard the confidentiality of participants in the peer review process when anonymity is part of the peer review process. We also expect our publishing partners, authors, and peer reviewers to uphold any relevant confidentiality agreements for each publication and provide necessary information to support this.

Authorship and Contributorship

AMCS recommends applying the following principles to determine authorship of a manuscript:

- Substantial contributions to the conception, design, acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work.
- Involvement in drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
- Final approval of the version to be published.
- Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work and to address questions related to its accuracy or integrity.

The corresponding author is responsible for submitting the original draft, handling revisions, signing the Author Publishing Agreement on behalf of co-authors, and addressing post-publication queries. Individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship may be acknowledged in an Acknowledgments section with their permission. COPE provides extensive resources on authorship and disputes that can be useful for anyone involved in editorial decisions.

Affiliations

Article affiliations should reflect the institutions where the research was conducted, supported, and approved. 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as using someone else's ideas, words, data, or other material without proper acknowledgment. It applies to various sources and media, including text, illustrations, mathematical derivations, computer code, and published or unpublished materials. AMCS has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and reserves the right to check all submissions using appropriate plagiarism-checking tools like Crossref Similarity Check. Submissions suspected of plagiarism, whether in whole or in part, will be rejected. If plagiarism is discovered after publication, we follow the guidance outlined in our Retractions, Corrections, and Expressions of Concern section. We encourage readers, reviewers, and editors to report any suspicions of plagiarism by contacting the managing editor or emailing admin@annalsmcs.org.

Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Duplicate or redundant publication, or self-plagiarism, occurs when a work or substantial parts of it are published more than once by the same author(s) without appropriate cross-referencing or justification for the overlap. This applies to the same or different languages. We do not support substantial overlap between publications unless it strengthens academic discourse, has clear approval from the original publication, and includes proper citation of the original source. Suspicions of duplicate or redundant publication should be reported to the managing editor or emailed to admin@annalsmcs.org.

When submitting manuscripts to AMCS, authors should ensure they are not under consideration, accepted for publication, or in press within another journal, book, or similar entity. However, preprints deposited on personal websites, institutional repositories, or preprint archives are not considered prior or duplicate publication.

If a manuscript is based on a thesis, the material should be reworked and written in accordance with AMCS style guide. Any quotes or figures from the thesis should be appropriately cited and referenced to avoid self-plagiarism. The relevant editor should be informed that the manuscript draws on a thesis in the cover letter.

Competing Interests and Funding

We strive to ensure that any manuscript published by AMCS is free from undue influence. Authors, editors, and reviewers are required to disclose any potential competing interests that could impact the objectivity or integrity of a publication. Competing interests can be financial, non-financial, professional, contractual, or personal. If anyone suspects undisclosed competing interests in a published or under-review work, they should inform the managing editor or email admin@annalsmcs.org.

Retractions, Corrections and Expressions of Concern

AMCS managing editors follow COPE’s Retraction Guidelines when considering retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern. If an author is found to have made an error, a corrigendum will be issued. In the case of an error made by the journal, an erratum will be issued. Retractions are typically reserved for articles with significant flaws that render their findings or conclusions unreliable or that involve substantial plagiarism.

Transparency

We strive to adhere to COPE’s Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. We encourage our publishing partners to uphold these principles as well.

Data and Supporting Evidence

We support transparency and openness regarding data, code, and other materials associated with research. Authors are expected to maintain accurate records of supporting evidence that allow others to understand, verify, and replicate their findings. On reasonable request, authors are encouraged to deposit evidence in suitable repositories or storage locations for sharing and further use. Authors can include a Data Availability Statement in their publication to indicate where the evidence can be found.

Fair Access

Our mission is to make mathematics research accessible to everyone worldwide, regardless of their circumstances. Therefore, all AMCS publications are freely available on the journal website. As a nonprofit journal, we do not charge any article processing fees.

Marketing Communication/Advertising

As a nonprofit journal, we limit communication with our readers and authors to matters directly related to the journal. In most cases, readers are only contacted to notify them about a new issue of AMCS.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.