Publication Ethics Statement

The Horizon Journal (THJ) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. We follow the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expect all parties involved—authors, reviewers, and editors—to adhere to ethical principles throughout the publication process.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Submit original work that has not been published or submitted elsewhere.
Properly cite all sources and avoid plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification.
Disclose any conflicts of interest or funding sources.
Obtain ethics approval for studies involving human or animal subjects and include documentation if required.
Ensure all listed authors have made significant contributions and agree to the final version.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Maintain confidentiality and avoid sharing or discussing the manuscript with others.
Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
Disclose any conflicts of interest and decline the review if necessary.
Avoid personal criticism and focus on the content and quality of the manuscript.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Make fair and unbiased editorial decisions based solely on academic merit.
Maintain confidentiality and protect the integrity of the review process.
Actively investigate and respond to allegations of misconduct.
Ensure transparency in editorial policies and publication practices.

4. Handling of Misconduct

THJ takes all allegations of unethical behavior seriously. Suspected misconduct—including plagiarism, duplicate submission, data manipulation, or authorship disputes—will be investigated by the editorial team. Actions may include: