United Journal of Chemistry (UJC)
United Journal of Chemistry is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics, transparency, and scholarly integrity. This document outlines the journal’s peer review process, editorial responsibilities, and policies governing conflicts of interest, ethical compliance, and manuscript handling.
1. Peer Review Model
Double-Blind Peer Review
UJC uses a double-blind peer review system. The identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review process to ensure impartiality and reduce bias.
2. Editorial Responsibilities
Editorial Independence
Editors are responsible for making decisions based solely on the scientific merit and ethical soundness of the manuscript. Editorial decisions are independent and free from commercial, political, or personal influence.
Confidentiality
All submitted manuscripts and associated materials are treated as confidential. Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any details of a manuscript to unauthorized individuals.
Fairness and Non-Discrimination
Editorial decisions are based on quality, originality, relevance, and ethical compliance. The journal does not discriminate on the basis of gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or institutional affiliation.
Handling Conflicts of Interest
Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists. In such cases, the manuscript will be assigned to an independent editor.
Editorial Appeals
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written appeal with supporting arguments. Appeals are reviewed by an independent editor not involved in the original decision.
3. Peer Reviewer Selection and Responsibilities
Reviewer Selection
Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, experience, and ability to provide objective and constructive feedback.
Review Acceptance
Before accepting a review assignment, reviewers must confirm that they:
- Have no conflicts of interest with the authors or the manuscript
- Can maintain confidentiality
- Have the expertise to evaluate the manuscript
Reviewer Checklist
Reviewers should evaluate the manuscript on the following criteria:
- Scientific quality and credibility
- Clarity, readability, and presentation
- Validity of conclusions based on data
- Appropriateness of references and absence of plagiarism
- Alignment with the journal’s aims and scope
- Ethical compliance and research integrity
- Absence of disqualified or pseudo-scientific content
Review Report Requirements
Review reports must be written clearly and objectively, consisting of at least one substantial paragraph. Reviewers should focus on scientific content and avoid explicit statements of acceptance or rejection. The final publication decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor.
4. Basic Principles of Peer Review
UJC expects peer reviewers to provide thoughtful, unbiased, and constructive feedback. Reviews should help authors improve the quality of their work and ensure that conclusions are valid, supported by data, and scientifically sound.
5. Ethical and Scientific Standards
Scientific Quality and Validity
Manuscripts should present valid arguments and conclusions supported by data presented in the manuscript or referenced appropriately in related literature. Data should be reproducible and adequately documented.
Readability and Presentation
Manuscripts should be well-written and properly structured. If language or presentation issues impair comprehension, reviewers may recommend professional editing prior to acceptance.
Referencing and Plagiarism
Manuscripts must not contain unattributed or plagiarized material. If plagiarism is suspected, reviewers should notify the editorial office immediately for further investigation.
Suitability for Publication
Manuscripts must align with the journal’s aims and scope and should not damage the journal’s reputation if published.
Disqualified Content
Manuscripts containing pseudo-scientific or unscholarly content are not acceptable. Reviewers should recommend rejection if such content is present.
Ethical Compliance
Authors must confirm compliance with ethical standards, particularly regarding research involving humans, animals, or sensitive data. Ethical approvals and informed consent must be documented where applicable.
6. Conflict of Interest Policy
For Authors
Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest during submission. If no conflicts exist, authors must include a statement declaring this.
For Reviewers
Reviewers must decline review assignments if a conflict of interest exists. Conflicts may include:
- Financial relationships (consultancy, employment, stock ownership, etc.)
- Professional or institutional affiliations
- Recent collaborations with authors
- Personal or familial relationships
- Any circumstance that may compromise objectivity
If a conflict is identified after accepting the review, the reviewer must inform the editorial office immediately and withdraw from the review process.
For Editors
Editors must recuse themselves from manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest. Manuscripts submitted by editors will be handled by an independent editor with no involvement from the submitting editor.
7. Handling Misconduct and Ethical Concerns
UJC follows COPE guidelines in investigating allegations of misconduct, including:
- Plagiarism
- Duplicate publication
- Fabrication or falsification of data
- Unethical research practices
The journal may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as appropriate to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.
8. Appeals and Complaints
Authors, reviewers, and readers may submit complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions or ethical concerns. Complaints should be submitted in writing to the editorial office. UJC will acknowledge complaints within five working days and aim to resolve them within two weeks.
9. Confidentiality and Data Protection
UJC protects the confidentiality of all participants in the publication process. Personal data is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and the journal’s privacy policy.