Policy and Ethics

The editorial activities of Germanic Philology. Journal of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University are based on rigorous compliance with internationally recognized standards of publication ethics. The Editorial Board is guided by the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the principles of responsible research assessment outlined in the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Complaint and Appeal Procedures

The process for handling complaints and appeals consists of the following stages:

  1. Preventive Control: Initial screening of manuscripts for textual overlap (plagiarism) using specialized software, alongside an internal analysis of compliance with academic integrity principles.

  2. Registration of Formal Complaints: Systematic logging of formal complaints submitted by any interested party (authors, reviewers, readers, or academic institutions).

  3. Preliminary Assessment: Evaluation of the validity of the claim by the Editor-in-Chief or an authorized member of the Editorial Board.

  4. Expert Investigation: If necessary, the formation of an ad hoc working group comprising Editorial Board members or independent external experts to ensure an objective investigation.

  5. Author Consultation: Providing the author with the opportunity to offer written explanations and supporting evidence regarding the concerns raised.

Remedial Measures and Sanctions

Based on the findings of the investigation, the Editorial Board may implement the following actions:

  • Manuscript Rejection: Discontinuation of the review process for manuscripts currently under consideration.

  • Revision Request: Returning the material to the author to rectify identified discrepancies or minor ethical oversights.

  • Editorial Expression of Concern: Publication of an official notice regarding potential issues with a paper.

  • Retraction: Formal withdrawal of a previously published article in cases of confirmed gross misconduct.

  • Institutional Notification: Informing the leadership of the scientific or educational institution with which the author is affiliated.

The resolution procedure is governed by the principles of objectivity, confidentiality, and the presumption of integrity, whereby the author is considered to have acted in good faith until a violation is factually established.