Guiding Principles of Transparency and Authentic Practices
The Journal of Behavioural Sciences (JBS) is firmly committed to upholding the highest
standards of transparency, integrity, and excellence in scholarly publishing. As part of our
dedication to fostering quality research and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the
field of behavioral sciences, we adhere to the following principles of transparency and best
practices:

Open Access and Accessibility: We endorse the principles of open access, aiming to
make scholarly content freely accessible to the global research community and the
general public. This fosters wider dissemination of knowledge, facilitates collaboration,
and supports the progress of science.
Ethical Standards and Integrity: JBS is unwavering in its commitment to maintaining
the highest ethical standards in all aspects of publication. We adhere to established
guidelines and codes of conduct, including those set forth by reputable organizations such
as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the American Psychological
Association (APA).

Peer Review Excellence: We uphold a rigorous peer review process that ensures the
quality, accuracy, and validity of the research we publish. Our review process involves
independent experts who provide constructive feedback to authors, contributing to the
enhancement of their work.
Authorship Transparency: Authorship is attributed to individuals who have made
significant intellectual contributions to a manuscript. We follow clear criteria, in line with
industry standards, for determining authorship. Contributions of each author are
transparently disclosed alongside the published article.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: We require authors, reviewers, and editors to disclose
any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the integrity or perception of their
contributions. This transparency ensures the credibility of the research process.
Reproducibility and Data Sharing: We encourage authors to provide detailed
information about their research methodologies and to make relevant data, code, and
materials openly accessible whenever possible. This enhances the reproducibility and
verifiability of research findings.

Clear and Comprehensive Reporting: Authors are expected to provide clear, accurate,
and comprehensive descriptions of their research methods, results, and interpretations.
This enables readers to fully understand and assess the significance of the research.

Corrections and Retractions: In the event that errors, inaccuracies, or ethical issues are
identified post-publication, we are committed to promptly addressing such concerns
through appropriate corrections or retractions, ensuring the ongoing accuracy and
integrity of our published content.

Editorial Independence: The editorial decisions of JBS are based solely on the quality,
significance, and relevance of the submitted work. Our editorial team operates
independently and is dedicated to upholding the integrity of the publication process.

Continuous Improvement: We are dedicated to continuous improvement in all aspects
of our publication process. We actively seek feedback from authors, reviewers, and
readers to enhance our practices and provide an optimal publishing experience.

By adhering to these Principles of Transparency and Best Practice, the Journal of Behavioural
Sciences aims to foster a scholarly environment that promotes ethical conduct, rigorous research,
and the responsible dissemination of knowledge within the field of behavioral sciences.

Open Access Information Policy
The Journal of Behavioural Sciences (JBS) is committed to fostering widespread access
to high-quality research findings, promoting knowledge dissemination, and facilitating scholarly
engagement. In line with this commitment, we have established an Open Access policy that
ensures the broad availability of our published content to researchers, practitioners, and the
public at large.

Open Access
Open Access, in the context of the Journal of Behavioural Sciences (JBS), refers to the
unrestricted availability and free access to peer-reviewed research articles and related scholarly
content. This approach facilitates the global distribution of knowledge, encouraging
collaboration, innovation, and research advancement.

Publication and Licensing
All articles published in the Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS) are released under a
Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). This license allows users to read, download,
copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full text of the articles while giving appropriate credit
to the authors and the source. This liberal licensing approach empowers authors to retain
ownership of their work while enabling others to utilize and build upon the research without
undue restrictions.

Author Responsibility
Authors submitting their work to the Journal of Behavioural Sciences (JBS) for
publication under the Open Access policy acknowledge and accept the terms of the CC BY
license. By doing so, authors affirm their commitment to open sharing, accessibility, and the
dissemination of knowledge for the betterment of the academic and broader communities.

Article Processing Charges (APCs)
To sustain our Open Access initiative and maintain the quality of our publishing services,
the Journal of Behavioural Sciences (JBS) levies Article Processing Charges (APCs) on authors
whose manuscripts are accepted for publication. These charges help cover the costs associated
with peer review, editorial processes, typesetting, hosting, indexing, and online dissemination of
articles.

Waivers and Discounts
Recognizing the diversity of the research community, the Journal of Behavioural
Sciences (JBS) offers waivers or discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for authors
who demonstrate financial constraints or are affiliated with institutions from low-income
economies. These waivers aim to ensure that the benefits of Open Access are accessible to
researchers worldwide.

Transparency and Accessibility
We are dedicated to providing transparent information about our Open Access policy,
Article Processing Charges (APCs), and any waivers or discounts available. This information
will be readily accessible on our website and clearly communicated to authors during the
submission and acceptance processes.
By embracing Open Access, the Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS) aligns with the
global movement to democratize knowledge and accelerate the progress of scientific research.
We invite researchers, scholars, and practitioners to join us in our commitment to open sharing
and collaboration.

Authorship and Publication Credit Policy

for individuals who significantly contribute to and assume primary responsibility for the data,
concepts, and result interpretations presented in a published work (Huth 1987). This
categorization encompasses not only those directly involved in the writing process, but also those
who make substantial scientific contributions to a study. The foundation of this concept is built
upon the authorship guidelines laid out in the "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
Conduct" (APA, 2002).

To preclude any potential misunderstandings and uphold professional integrity and
relationships, it is strongly recommended to establish, at the commencement of a research
project, the individuals who will be acknowledged as authors, the sequence of their names, and
any alternate forms of acknowledgment.

Authorship entails both responsibility and recognition for the content of a submitted
manuscript. Thus, all listed authors are expected to meet our established 'Authorship Criteria.'
Upon manuscript receipt, our editorial team conducts a verification process, engaging all authors
and contributors to confirm and validate their endorsement and approval of the submitted work
before its inclusion in the Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS). Providing approval for both the
submitted and accepted manuscript versions is a mandatory prerequisite for all authors.

Contributions by Authors
At the time of manuscript submission, the contribution of each author should be distinctly
indicated, as the extent of individual contributions will be disclosed alongside the final article.
The Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS) adheres to the guidelines set forth in the 7th edition of
the American Psychological Association (APA) manual, which aids in precisely delineating the
contributions of each author to the work.

Our publication adheres to and recommends adherence to the APA's guidelines regarding
authorship credit. These guidelines acknowledge individuals who have significantly contributed
to and taken responsibility for a published work (APA Ethics Code Standard 8.12a, Publication
Credit). Thus, authorship encompasses not only those engaged in the writing process but also
those who have made notable scientific contributions to the study. These substantial
contributions might encompass tasks such as formulating research questions or hypotheses,

designing experimental frameworks, overseeing statistical analyses, or interpreting results and
findings. Individuals fulfilling these roles are duly listed in the publication's byline.
To qualify as an enlisted author, the aforementioned criteria must be satisfactorily met.
Authors are advised to ensure alignment with the Journal's Guide to Authorship Policy prior to
the final manuscript submission.

Acknowledgment
Individuals not meeting the aforementioned authorship criteria but who nonetheless
contribute to the manuscript should be acknowledged with their explicit consent. This typically
includes individuals providing technical assistance or offering financial/material support.

Financial Support
All forms of funding, including instances without specific funding, should be disclosed in
the 'acknowledgment' section. Additionally, any involvement of research funders beyond
financial support (e.g., engagement of commercial entities) should be indicated during
submission. Other forms of support, including funding for open access publication,
writing/editorial assistance, or provision of experimental materials, should also be appropriately
documented.

Authorship Disputes
- The Journal's ethical committee will oversee any disputes related to authorship, notably
cases of ghost authorship and gift authorship. The resolution of such disputes will align
with the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics.
- Shared responsibility and accountability for the accuracy and integrity of all segments of
the submitted content rest upon all authors, even in cases of collaboration within
multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary frameworks.

Changes to authorship details, including additions, deletions, alterations to the order of
listing, or modifications to contributions, subsequent to the initial submission, require
prior approval from all enlisted authors.

Peer Review Process and Policy

Manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS) undergo a thorough
initial screening followed by a comprehensive peer-review process before being considered for
publication. This meticulous process aims to assess the caliber and standards of the submitted
work, promoting research excellence in line with professional benchmarks. Expert peers within
the field carry out confidential reviews to accomplish this goal. The review process includes the
following stages:

Initial Screening &amp: Evaluation: Manuscripts submitted with a proof of APC, are evaluated for
ensuring quality work by the Research Associates. Their role is to determine the manuscript's
suitability for full peer-review, ensuring compliance with our guidelines and screening for
Plagiarism. These guidelines cover declarations of potential conflicts of interest, ethical
considerations for studies involving human or animal subjects, and the use of language that
meets acceptable criteria. The editor's responsibilities encompass:

- Assessing the manuscript's alignment with the journal's scope and relevance to its audience.

- It is important to note that the time period for Initial reviewing will be 15 days, for Local Review will be 1 month, for Foreign review 2 months, for Revision by Authors 1-2 Months and Average time Processing will be 4-5 months.

- Screening for Plagiarism/ Similarity Index report to be less than 19% overall and less
than 4% for single source reference as per HEC policy

- Judging the manuscript's quality to ensure it meets established standards.

- Evaluating the writing to decide if it warrants a complete review.

- Verifying whether the manuscript adheres to the journal's author instructions.

During this preliminary assessment, if the editor suggests modifications to the manuscript prior to full peer-review, the authors may be asked to revise accordingly. Manuscripts that do not adhere to our Editorial Guidelines might face rejection before advancing to full peer-review. Only manuscripts that successfully pass this initial screening move forward to the peer-review stage.

Peer Review Process: The Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JBS) mandates a peer-review process for all submitted manuscripts before final acceptance and publication. Consequently, our primary focus is to base decisions on insights from a minimum of two independent reviewers. To ensure this, we meticulously select reviewers who possess expertise, substantial publications, and an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and research methodologies. The Journal of
Behavioral Sciences (JBS) offers the following peer-review options to authors, respecting their preferences:

Single-Blind Peer-Review: Reviewers alone are privy to the identity of the submitting author(s),
while the author(s) remain unaware of the reviewer's identity.
Double-Blind Peer-Review: Both reviewers and author(s) identities are concealed in this review
model.
Open Peer Review: This model involves the mutual disclosure of reviewer(s) and author(s) identities, fostering transparency and trust in the review process. If the manuscript is accepted, reviewer reports, revisions, and author responses are published alongside the article.

Conflict of Interest and Advanced Policy Measures

- Reveal any commercial or financial involvements that could be perceived as a conflict of interest in relation to their contributions. Such disclosures should be discussed with the Editor to determine their appropriate placement within the journal.

- Affirm that they have not entered into agreements with sponsors of the reported research that could hinder the publication of both positive and negative results or necessitate sponsor approval before publication.

Reviewer Responsibilities: Reviewers must promptly declare any conflicts of interest upon receiving a review invitation. If a potential conflict could skew their assessment of the manuscript, reviewers are encouraged to decline the invitation and provide the editor with a summary of the conflict. Common conflicts for reviewers include:
- Past disagreements with the authors
- Participation in the same research project
- Recent co-authorship in publications
- Involvement in the pre-review process prior to manuscript submission
- Reviewers who are uncertain about potential bias should seek guidance from the editorial staff.
- Moreover, reviewers are strictly prohibited from utilizing the concepts, methodologies, or
any portion of the manuscript under review prior to publication.

Editorial Duties: Editors are held to the same conflict of interest policy as authors and reviewers. In the event an editor possesses a relationship or conflict that could introduce bias, it is strongly recommended that they promptly decline involvement in the handling of the relevant manuscript.

Research Misconduct Policy

Research Misconduct
Research misconduct refers to serious breaches of ethical and professional standards in
the planning, conduct, reporting, or dissemination of research. It encompasses, but is not limited
to, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and other practices that undermine the integrity and
validity of scholarly work.

Reporting and Investigation
- Reporting Allegations: JBS encourages individuals within and outside its community to promptly report any suspected instances of research misconduct. Allegations can be submitted to the editorial office through a designated channel.

- Preliminary Assessment: Upon receiving an allegation, the editorial team will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern warrants a full investigation. This assessment includes gathering relevant information and involving appropriate experts, as needed.

- Formal Investigation: If the preliminary assessment indicates a plausible case of research misconduct, a formal investigation will be initiated. An impartial committee of
experts will be established to conduct a thorough and fair investigation.

- Confidentiality and Transparency: Throughout the investigation process, confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible, while ensuring transparency and
accountability. Updates on the progress of the investigation may be provided as appropriate.

Actions and Consequences
Substantiated Allegations: If an allegation is substantiated, appropriate actions will be taken.
These actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Retraction or correction of the affected publication(s)
- Notification of relevant institutions and funding agencies
- Imposition of sanctions, such as banning future submissions by the individuals involved

- Authorship Correction: In cases of authorship misconduct, where individuals have been wrongly included or excluded from authorship, corrective measures will be taken to ensure accurate credit attribution. Whistleblower Protection JBS is committed to protecting individuals who report suspected research misconduct in
good faith. Retaliation against whistleblowers will not be tolerated, and efforts will be made to shield their identities during the investigation process.

Educational Initiatives
JBS will actively engage in raising awareness about research ethics and misconduct
prevention within its community. This includes providing resources, guidelines, and educational
materials to authors, reviewers, and editors.

Collaboration and Reporting
JBS will collaborate with relevant authorities and organizations, as necessary, to address
cases of research misconduct. In cases of proven misconduct, the journal will report the findings
to appropriate institutions, funding agencies, and regulatory bodies.

Appeals Process
Individuals implicated in a research misconduct investigation will have the right to appeal
the decision. The appeals process will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.

Continuous Improvement

This Research Misconduct Policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to align with
evolving best practices and ethical standards in the field of research integrity.
Adherence to this policy underscores JBS's dedication to upholding the integrity of research,
fostering a culture of ethical conduct, and maintaining the credibility of the scientific
community.

Ethical Authorization Approval

Animal Welfare Assurance: In cases involving animal research, researchers are
required to provide documentation of compliance with animal welfare regulations. This
may include details about housing conditions, care, and procedures that minimize
potential harm to the animals involved.

Conflict of Interest Statement: Researchers should declare any potential conflicts of
interest that could influence the outcomes or interpretations of their research. Full
transparency regarding financial interests, affiliations, or relationships that could present
bias is essential.

Data Privacy and Protection: Researchers must ensure that the privacy and
confidentiality of participants are safeguarded. Any data handling procedures that
preserve participant anonymity and data protection measures should be detailed.

- Permissions for Third-party Material: If the manuscript includes copyrighted material, such as images, figures, or excerpts from other sources, researchers need to provide evidence of obtaining the necessary permissions for their use in the publication.

- Research Funding Disclosure: Clear disclosure of the funding sources that supported the research is required. This includes both financial and non-financial contributions that may have influenced the research.

- Author Contributions: A transparent description of each author's contributions to the research and manuscript preparation, as per the authorship criteria outlined in JBS's Authorship Policy, should be included. Submitting the above materials for ethical authorization approval not only demonstrates the commitment of researchers to ethical conduct but also ensures that the published research meets the highest ethical standards upheld by the Journal of Behavioural Sciences. The ethical
authorization process plays a pivotal role in upholding the credibility and trustworthiness of behavioural science research within the scholarly community and beyond.

Copyright and Licensing Policy

policy outlines the terms under which authors' intellectual property is protected, while also
fostering the dissemination of knowledge and research advancement.

Copyright Ownership:
- Authors retain the copyright of their original contributions published in the Journal of Behavioral Sciences.
- By submitting their work to the journal, authors grant JBS the right of first publication.
- JBS reserves the right to display, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise use the published
work for promotional and archival purposes, both electronically and in print.

Licensing Options:
- Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY): This license allows others to
distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even for commercial purposes, as long
as proper attribution is given to the original author(s).

- Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License (CC BY-NC): This license
permits others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial purposes,
with proper attribution to the original author(s).

- Traditional Copyright (All Rights Reserved): Authors who prefer traditional copyright
protection can choose this option. However, JBS encourages the use of open licensing to
promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Author Responsibilities:

- Authors are responsible for selecting the preferred licensing option during the manuscript
submission process.

- Authors must ensure that the content they submit for publication does not infringe upon
the rights of others, including copyright, trademark, or privacy rights.

- In the case of using third-party materials, authors are responsible for obtaining necessary
permissions and attributions.
Reuse and Redistribution:

- Readers, researchers, and other interested parties are allowed to reuse and redistribute
published content in accordance with the chosen license.

- Proper attribution to the original author(s) is mandatory when reusing or redistributing
any content from the Journal.

Commercial Use:
- Commercial use of published works under a CC BY license is permitted without seeking
explicit permission, as long as proper attribution is provided.
- Commercial use of works under a CC BY-NC license requires permission from the
author(s).
Archiving:
- Authors are encouraged to deposit their published articles in institutional or disciplinary
repositories, as well as preprint servers.
- JBS also archives its published content in appropriate databases and repositories.
Policy Modifications:
- The Copyright and Licensing Policy may be updated periodically to align with industry
standards and evolving scholarly practices.
- Authors will be informed of any substantial changes to the policy, and they can choose to
apply the updated terms to their existing and future works.

By publishing in the Journal of Behavioral Sciences, authors acknowledge and agree to the
terms outlined in this Copyright and Licensing Policy. The aim of this policy is to strike a
balance between protecting authors' rights and encouraging the dissemination of knowledge
within the academic community and beyond.

Corrections and Retractions Policy

or ethical concerns are identified in published articles, the following Corrections and Retractions
Policy outlines the procedures to address and rectify such issues:

Corrections
- Minor Errors and Inaccuracies: Should minor errors, typographical mistakes, or
inaccuracies be discovered after an article's publication, the corresponding author may
contact the JBS editorial team with a formal request for correction. The editorial team
will review the request and, if deemed necessary, publish an erratum notice detailing the
corrections. The original article will remain unaltered, with a link to the erratum notice
for readers' reference.

- Author-Requested Corrections: If an author identifies substantial errors in their
published work that may affect the study's integrity or conclusions, they should promptly
inform the editorial team. The journal will follow a thorough review process to assess the
requested corrections. If the corrections are warranted, a corrected version of the article
will be published alongside an explanatory note, indicating the changes made.

Retractions
- Ethical Concerns and Serious Errors: In cases of ethical concerns, serious research
misconduct, data fabrication, plagiarism, or significant errors that undermine the validity
of the study's findings, a retraction may be necessary. The decision to retract an article is
taken seriously and involves a comprehensive investigation. The corresponding author,
along with all listed authors, will be involved in the investigation process.

- Author-Requested Retractions: Authors may voluntarily request the retraction of their
published article if they discover substantial errors or inaccuracies that cannot be
corrected. The retraction request should be submitted to the editorial team, and the
journal will initiate an evaluation process to determine the necessity of retraction. If
approved, a retraction notice will be published, clearly stating the reasons for retraction
and the authors' acknowledgment of the errors.

Editorial Board Initiated Retractions: The JBS editorial board reserves the right to
initiate a retraction process if evidence of serious misconduct, ethical violations, or
irreparable errors emerges. The authors will be contacted for their response and input
before a final decision is reached.
Review Process
- Investigation: All corrections and retraction requests will undergo a comprehensive
investigation by the editorial team and, if necessary, in consultation with experts in the
field.
- Author Involvement: Authors will be involved in the investigation process, providing
explanations and justifications as required. In cases of retraction, authors will have the
opportunity to provide their perspective on the situation.
- Decision: The decision to issue corrections or initiate retractions will be made based on
the severity of the errors or ethical concerns identified.
- Publication of Notices: Corrections and retractions will be published prominently in the
journal, with a clear indication of the changes made or reasons for retraction.
- Transparency: The JBS is committed to maintaining transparency throughout the
corrections and retractions process, while respecting the privacy and reputations of all
involved parties.
The Corrections and Retractions Policy of the Journal of Behavioral Sciences aligns with
international publication standards and the guidelines set forth by organizations like the
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). It is our aim to ensure the integrity and credibility of
the research published.

Complaints and Appeals Policy

- Changes to the Self-Archiving Policy: The Journal of Behavioral Sciences retains the
right to modify the self-archiving policy as needed. Authors will be informed of any
changes in the policy.

By adhering to this self-archiving policy, the Journal of Behavioral Sciences aims to promote the
dissemination of research findings while upholding responsible and ethical practices in scholarly
communication.