AJLaSS is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct. This policy outlines the ethical responsibilities for authors, reviewers, editors, and institutions involved in research submitted for publication in AJLaSS. It covers a wide range of disciplines including life sciences, social sciences, and humanities, and aligns with the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and applicable international ethical frameworks.

1. Human Research Ethics

• Research involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and institutional/national ethical regulations.
• Authors must secure ethical approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee and include the approval number/reference in the manuscript.
• Informed consent must be obtained from all participants, and a statement of consent should be included in the manuscript. In studies involving minors or vulnerable populations, consent from legal guardians is mandatory.
• Identifiable personal data must be anonymized or securely protected to ensure participant privacy.
• In qualitative research (e.g., sociology, anthropology, linguistics), ethical practices must include transparent consent processes, respect for autonomy, and cultural sensitivity.

2. Ethical Considerations in Social Sciences and Humanities

• For research in sociology, psychology, criminology, education, gender studies, and history:
• Researchers must consider power dynamics, vulnerable populations, and potential harm during data collection and reporting.
• Oral histories, interviews, ethnographies, or archival materials must be used responsibly, with informed consent from living individuals and permissions from relevant authorities for historical content.
• Sensitive topics such as trauma, identity, or marginalized communities must be addressed with caution and reflexivity.
• Researchers must avoid manipulative questioning, coercion, or any practice that compromises the well-being of participants.
• Informed consent must include how data will be stored, used, and shared.

3. Research Ethics in Life Sciences

3.1 Research on Animals

• Animal research must comply with ARRIVE guidelines https://nc3rs.org.uk/arrive-guidelines, and authors must include an ethics approval statement from an IACUC or equivalent committee.
• The 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) must be followed to minimize animal suffering.
• Researchers must use the most humane practices and describe animal welfare measures in the methodology.

3.2 Plant Research

• For experiments on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), endangered species, or wild plants, researchers must obtain collection permits and follow the Convention on Biological Diversity and CITES regulations.
• Ethical sourcing and documentation of local knowledge, particularly in ethnobotany, must be obtained with prior informed consent.

3.3 Research on Microorganisms

• Studies involving bacteria, viruses, or fungi must be conducted in facilities that comply with appropriate biosafety levels (BSL).
• Ethics and biosafety approval must be obtained from Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) or equivalent bodies.
• Use of microbial strains must be properly cited, and the Nagoya Protocol must be followed for genetic resource sharing.

3.4 Research on Human or Animal Cell Lines

• Authors must provide clear documentation of the origin, authenticity, and consent (if applicable) for human or animal cell lines used in the study.

4. Research on Vulnerable Groups

• Extra precaution must be taken when research involves children, elderly, people with disabilities, incarcerated individuals, or socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
• Authors must provide justification for categorizing individuals by race, ethnicity, gender, or disability.
• Consent forms, ethics approvals, and data protection protocols must be maintained and may be requested by the journal at any time.

5. Ethical Use of Archival, Cultural, or Historical Materials

• For historical, anthropological, or linguistic research, authors must follow ethical guidelines for:
• Accessing restricted or sacred materials.
• Using indigenous knowledge or traditional narratives with respect and proper attribution.
• Consulting appropriate stakeholders or cultural custodians.
• Any reproduction of artwork, documents, or manuscripts must be cited with source acknowledgment and permissions when required.

6. Digital Data and AI in Research

• Use of digital platforms for data collection (e.g., online surveys, social media) must comply with privacy regulations such as GDPR or local equivalents.
• AI-based tools or analytics used in data processing must be disclosed, and authors remain fully responsible for verifying accuracy and interpretation.

7. Ethical Oversight and Institutional Accountability

• Authors must cooperate with institutional or journal investigations in cases of suspected ethical violations.
• If research is found to violate ethical standards (e.g., lack of consent, misuse of data), the manuscript may be rejected or retracted.
• Institutions are encouraged to support researchers with training in ethics and research integrity.

8. Declaration and Compliance

• Authors must provide an Ethics Statement in the manuscript affirming that their research complies with ethical standards.
• Manuscripts lacking proper ethical approvals, consent statements, or displaying unethical behavior will be rejected.