Editorial Policies

Zoological Reports – An International Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publishing by ensuring integrity, transparency, fairness, and academic excellence throughout the editorial and publication process. The journal operates under the principles of editorial independence, scientific rigor, and ethical responsibility, ensuring that all manuscripts are evaluated solely on their intellectual merit and relevance to the field of zoological sciences. Editorial decisions are made without regard to the authors’ nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, race, or personal beliefs, and are free from commercial or external influence.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo a rigorous and impartial double-blind peer review process, in which both author and reviewer identities are kept confidential. Each submission is assessed by qualified experts who evaluate the originality, methodological soundness, scientific accuracy, clarity of presentation, and contribution to existing knowledge. The editorial board carefully considers reviewers’ recommendations and retains full responsibility for the final decision regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts. This process ensures that only high-quality, scientifically valid research is published.

Zoological Reports places strong emphasis on ethical research and publication practices. Authors are required to ensure that their research complies with internationally accepted ethical standards, particularly in studies involving animals. Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, and unethical authorship practices are strictly prohibited. The journal uses appropriate screening methods to detect ethical violations, and any suspected misconduct is thoroughly investigated. Manuscripts found to breach ethical standards may be rejected, and published articles may be corrected or retracted to preserve the integrity of the scientific record.

The journal requires full disclosure of conflicts of interest from authors, reviewers, and editors. Any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could influence the research outcomes or editorial decisions must be transparently declared. Reviewers and editors with potential conflicts are expected to recuse themselves from handling the manuscript to ensure objectivity and fairness throughout the review process.

Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of the journal and are expected to provide constructive, objective, and timely evaluations while maintaining strict confidentiality of the manuscript content. Their assessments are intended to support editorial decision-making and assist authors in improving the clarity, accuracy, and scientific value of their work. Similarly, authors are responsible for the accuracy of their data, the originality of their submissions, and the proper acknowledgment of all contributors and funding sources.

In cases where errors, ethical concerns, or disputes arise after publication, Zoological Reports follows established procedures for issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when necessary. Such actions are carried out transparently and responsibly to uphold the credibility of the journal and the scholarly literature. The journal continually reviews and updates its editorial policies to align with evolving international standards and best practices in academic publishing