Publication Policies

TIJ adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expect all stakeholders—editors, authors, and reviewers—to uphold these standards.

Editorial Responsibilities:

• Fair and Unbiased Review: Ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated fairly and impartially, based solely on their intellectual content.
• Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and not disclose information about them to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and other editorial advisers.
• Conflict of Interest: Declare any potential conflicts of interest and recuse oneself from handling manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
• Corrections and Retractions: Promptly address any issues related to published articles, including issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.

Author Responsibilities:

• Originality and Plagiarism: Submit only original works and appropriately cite or quote the work and/or words of others. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable. Specific threshold TIJ uses (e.g., ≤20% similarity, ≥80% uniqueness).
• Data Access and Retention: Provide raw data upon request and retain such data for a reasonable time after publication.
• Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication: Avoid submitting manuscripts describing essentially the same research to more than one journal.
• Acknowledgement of Sources: Properly acknowledge the contributions of research collaborators and funding sources.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Disclose any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.

Reviewer Responsibilities:

• Confidentiality: Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.
• Objectivity: Provide objective and constructive feedback.
• Timeliness: Review manuscripts in a timely manner and notify the editor if unable to do so.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Declare any conflicts of interest and recuse oneself from reviewing manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
• Corrections and Retractions: Promptly address any issues related to published articles, including issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.

Handling Misconduct:

Misconduct includes plagiarism, duplicate or redundant publication, data fabrication or falsification, unethical authorship practices, and inappropriate citation manipulation. TIJ investigates all suspected misconduct according to COPE guidelines, consulting authors, reviewers, and institutional representatives as necessary. Sanctions range from correction of the record, rejection, temporary bans, to full retraction of the article. TIJ emphasizes transparency and fairness in addressing ethical concerns to uphold trust in the scholarly record.

In cases of suspected misconduct, the following steps will be taken:

1. Initial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief will conduct an initial assessment to determine the seriousness of the allegation.
2. Investigation: If necessary, a formal investigation will be initiated, involving relevant parties and experts.
3. Outcome: Depending on the findings, actions may include correction, retraction, or other appropriate measures.

Transparency and Accountability:

• Peer Review Process: TIJ employs a double-blind peer review process to ensure unbiased evaluation of manuscripts.
• Data Availability: Authors are encouraged to make data supporting their findings available upon request.
• Corrections and Retractions: TIJ is committed to correcting any errors in published articles and retracting articles if necessary.

By adhering to these ethical standards, TIJ aims to maintain the trust of our readers and uphold the integrity of the scientific record.

TIJ is a fully open access publisher. All articles published in our journals are freely and permanently available online immediately upon publication, without embargo. Readers anywhere in the world may read, download, copy, distribute, print, or use the content for any lawful purpose without restriction.

We publish under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited. This ensures maximum visibility and reuse of research outputs, thereby enhancing the impact of the work.

TIJ’s open access model removes financial and technical barriers between research and its audience. This enables rapid dissemination of knowledge and allows policymakers, practitioners, educators, and the public to benefit from scholarly advances without restrictions. All published content will remain freely accessible to everyone, at all times, and in perpetuity.

Authors publishing with TIJ retain full copyright of their work. By submitting a manuscript, authors grant TIJ a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and preserve the article in all forms and media. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, adaptation, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This ensures that authors remain the legal owners of their work while enabling TIJ to provide broad dissemination through indexing services, archives, and repositories. In the event of copyright disputes, TIJ will act in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) best practices and applicable international legal standards to protect both the rights of authors and the integrity of the publication.

3.1 Author Rights

• Authors retain the right to reuse, adapt, distribute, and reproduce their work freely, with proper attribution.
• Authors may deposit the published version (Version of Record) in institutional or subject repositories without restriction.
• Authors may include their articles in teaching materials, presentations, or other non-commercial uses without seeking additional permission.

3.2 Journal Rights

• TIJ retains the right to publish, distribute, and archive all accepted articles in perpetuity.
• TIJ may disseminate content through indexing databases, aggregators, and other third-party services, in accordance with the CC BY license.

3.3 Third-Party Material

• Authors are responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions for any third-party material included in their manuscript (e.g., images, figures, tables).
• Proper credit and licensing information must be provided for all third-party content.

4.1. Editorial Roles and Responsibilities

Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

• Provides overall leadership and ensures the journal’s scope, standards, and policies are upheld.
• Makes final decisions on manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection based on reviewer recommendations.
• Oversees editorial board performance, peer review process, and ethical compliance.
• Approves special issues and ensures alignment with the journal’s aims and scope.

Associate/Handling Editors

• Manage assigned manuscripts from submission to final decision.
• Conduct initial editorial screening for scope, formatting, and ethical compliance.
• Assign manuscripts to suitable reviewers and monitor review timelines.
• Evaluate reviewer reports and make recommendations to the EIC.

Editorial Board Members

• Provide subject-matter expertise to guide journal policies and development.
• Assist in identifying reviewers and advising on manuscript quality.
• Promote the journal within their academic and professional networks.

Section Editors / Guest Editors (Special Issues)

• Manage submissions specific to a section or special issue.
• Ensure the same editorial standards and peer review process as regular submissions.
• Coordinate with the EIC to maintain overall journal consistency and scope alignment.

Reviewers

• Evaluate manuscripts objectively for originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and ethical compliance.
• Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback to authors and editors.
• Respond to review invitations promptly and adhere to agreed timelines.

 

4.2. Editorial Selection Criteria

Editors and board members are selected based on:

• Academic and Professional Qualifications – Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and a strong publication record.
• Experience and Expertise – Demonstrated subject-matter expertise and experience in peer review or editorial processes.
• Integrity and Ethical Standards – Commitment to COPE guidelines and transparency, with no conflicts of interest.
• Engagement and Contribution – Willingness to actively participate in editorial tasks, review processes, and journal promotion.
• Diversity and Inclusion – Maintaining diversity in geography, gender, and professional background.

 

4.3. Reviewer Selection Criteria

TIJ selects peer reviewers based on expertise, experience, and publication record:

• Must hold a Ph.D. or a senior research position with 2–4 years of peer review experience.
• Must have a strong publication record in the relevant field.
• Preference is given to reviewers who provide high-quality, constructive reviews and demonstrate an interest in the journal’s scope.
• Applicants meeting these standards are verified against reliable sources (e.g., institutional profiles, ORCID, publications) before formal invitation.

5.1 Principles of Peer Review

Peer review is the cornerstone of scholarly publishing. TIJ adheres to COPE guidelines and follows a double-blind peer review system, where both reviewers and authors remain anonymous to each other. This system reduces bias and ensures a fair evaluation of the manuscript’s academic merit, originality, and methodological rigor. All reviewer reports are kept strictly confidential.

All manuscripts undergo rigorous review, designed not only to assess validity but also to provide constructive feedback that strengthens the work.

5.2 Review Workflow

The peer review process at TIJ follows a structured pathway to ensure quality, originality, and ethical compliance:

5.2.1. Initial Editorial Screening

• Each manuscript is first assessed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated handling editor for suitability, scope alignment, formatting compliance, and adherence to ethical requirements.
• At TIJ, Manuscripts are checked for plagiarism using anti-plagiarism software CFP. Only manuscripts with at least 80% uniqueness and a maximum of 20% similarity are considered for peer review.
• The initial editorial decision is typically communicated within 10 days of submission.

5.2.2 Peer Review and Decision Timeline Policy

TIJ is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and timely peer review process. The following turnaround times (TATs) apply, though actual durations may vary depending on manuscript complexity and the number of articles in the publication queue.

• Initial Review (First Decision): All manuscripts sent for peer review are expected to receive an initial editorial decision within 30 days of submission.
• Further Revisions (Reviewer Re-evaluation): Where additional rounds of peer review are required, reviewers are normally requested to complete their evaluation of revised manuscripts within 10–15 days.
• Author Corrections and Resubmission: Authors are expected to submit corrected versions of their manuscripts within 7 days for minor revisions, unless otherwise agreed upon with the editorial office. If additional time is needed, authors are encouraged to request an extension via “ejournal.assist@tau.edu.gy”, ensuring a smooth evaluation process and maintaining adherence to the journal’s review timelines.
• Submission to Final Decision: The overall review process, from initial submission to final editorial decision, is typically completed within 60–90 days.
• Issue Allocation and Publication Notification: Accepted manuscripts will be scheduled for publication based on the editorial hierarchy and available publication slots, and will appear in the respective issue as indicated in the Call for Papers section. Once the final galley proof is ready, authors will be notified via the journal’s official email, including details of the publication schedule and any final instructions prior to online publication.

5.2.3. Review Reports

• Reviewers evaluate the manuscript for originality, methodological soundness, clarity, ethical compliance, and overall contribution.
• Feedback should be specific, constructive, and evidence-based, and may include comments on ethical or plagiarism concerns.

5.2.4. Editorial Decision

• Based on reviewer reports, the handling editor makes a recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief, who makes the final decision: accept, revise, or reject.

5.2.5. Appeals Process

• Authors wishing to appeal an editorial decision may do so by submitting a detailed justification via email to “ejournal.assist@tau.edu.gy”.
• Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, where appropriate, external advisors.

5.3. Reviewer and Editorial Recognition

TIJ acknowledges the invaluable contributions of its peer reviewers, editors, and editorial board members in maintaining high-quality scholarly publishing. To recognize and encourage their efforts, TIJ provides Certificates of Appreciation annually.

5.3.1. Reviewer Recognition

• Reviewers who provide timely, thorough, and constructive feedback throughout the year will receive a Certificate of Appreciation annually from TIJ.
• Reviewers demonstrating exceptional commitment, quality, and consistency may be additionally recognized with an Outstanding Reviewer Certificate.
• Eligibility is based on criteria such as the number of manuscripts reviewed, timeliness of review, and quality of comments.

5.3.2. Editorial Recognition

• All Editors, including the Editor-in-Chief, and Editorial Board Members, who actively contribute to TIJ’s editorial workflow and uphold its ethical and quality standards will receive a Certificate of Service annually.
• Editors showing exceptional leadership, diligence, and contribution to TIJ’s success may receive an Editorial Excellence Certificate.

5.3.3. Implementation

• Certificates are awarded once per year.
• This recognition process aims to foster a culture of appreciation, accountability, and continued high-quality peer review and editorial work at TIJ.

TIJ follows the authorship guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authorship is based on the following criteria:

1. Substantial contribution to conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis and interpretation.
2. Drafting or critically revising the article for important intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published.
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Individuals who meet all four criteria should be listed as authors. Those who contribute in other ways (e.g., technical support, funding acquisition, editorial assistance) should be acknowledged but not listed as authors.

TIJ strongly discourages unethical practices such as guest authorship (adding an author without contribution), ghost authorship (excluding a significant contributor), and gift authorship (including someone for prestige rather than contribution). Authors must clearly specify each contributor’s role in a Contributor Statement at the time of submission.

6.1. Author Contributions

All submitted manuscripts must include an Author Contributions statement that clearly specifies the role of each author in the research and manuscript preparation.

• Only individuals who have made a significant scholarly contribution should be listed as authors.
• Contributions may include (but are not limited to):
  • Conceptualization
  • Methodology
  • Data curation
  • Formal analysis
  • Investigation
  • Writing – original draft
  • Writing – review & editing
  • Supervision
  • Project administration
  • Funding acquisition
• Example – Author Contributions Statement:
  Author A: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft; Author B: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing – Review & Editing; Author C: Supervision, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition.
• All authors must approve the final manuscript before submission and take responsibility for its content.

TIJ is committed to transparency, integrity, and objectivity in scholarly publishing. Conflicts of interest (COI) may arise when authors, reviewers, or editors have financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence their judgment. TIJ requires full disclosure of potential conflicts to maintain the integrity of the publication process.

7.1 Authors

• Authors must disclose all financial support, grants, or relationships that could be perceived as influencing their work.
• Any personal or professional relationships that could affect the research or interpretation of results should be declared.
• Relevant disclosures are published with the article to inform readers.
• Failure to disclose COI may result in rejection, correction, or retraction in line with COPE guidelines.

7.2 Reviewers

• Reviewers must decline assignments if they have any relationships with the authors or institutions that could bias their review.
• Reviewers are required to disclose any financial, personal, or professional interests related to the manuscript before accepting the review.
• All reviewer reports remain confidential, and COI disclosures are taken into account when assigning alternative reviewers.

7.3 Editors

• Editors must recuse themselves from decisions where conflicts exist, such as handling manuscripts authored by close colleagues, family members, or members of their institution.
• Editors must disclose potential conflicts and ensure objective assessment of manuscripts.
• Editorial decisions are made following COPE ethical standards.

7.4 Funding and Sponsorship

• Authors must clearly state all sources of funding or sponsorship in the manuscript.
• Any role of funders in study design, data collection, analysis, or publication decisions must be disclosed.

7.5 Post-Publication

• If undisclosed COI is identified after publication, TIJ may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction in accordance with COPE guidelines.

7.6 Enforcement and Compliance

• COI disclosures are reviewed during submission and peer review.
• TIJ may reject manuscripts, withdraw reviewers, or reassign editorial responsibilities if conflicts are not properly disclosed.

TIJ adheres to Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards in matters of research integrity and ethical oversight.

8.1 Human Participants

Research involving human subjects must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors must confirm that approval was obtained from a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee, and that informed consent was obtained from all participants.

8.2 Animal Studies

Manuscripts reporting animal research must confirm adherence to internationally accepted guidelines for animal welfare, such as the ARRIVE guidelines and institutional protocols. Authors should include details of ethical approval and welfare practices.

8.3 Clinical Trials

Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized public registry (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov or the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) prior to participant enrollment. Manuscripts must include the trial registration number in the abstract. TIJ follows the standards of the ICMJE on trial registration and reporting.

8.4 Data Integrity and Transparency

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data. Fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation are considered serious forms of misconduct. Authors must provide access to raw data upon request and are encouraged to deposit datasets in public repositories for long-term availability.

TIJ acknowledges the evolving role of Generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT and other similar technologies, in supporting authors, reviewers, and editors throughout the publication process. These tools may assist with language refinement, content organization, and idea generation. However, their use must always adhere to ethical standards, maintain academic integrity, and ensure that all content—both text and visual elements—is original, accurate, and prepared under human oversight.

9.1. Authors’ Responsibilities

• Authors must disclose any use of GenAI tools in manuscript preparation, including text generation, summarization, translation, or language editing.
• GenAI tools cannot be listed as authors; all authors must meet standard authorship criteria.
• Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content generated or assisted by GenAI.
• Figures, graphical abstracts, and illustrations must be original and prepared by human authors; AI-generated images or graphics are not permitted. Human verification and intervention are mandatory.
• Use of GenAI to fabricate, manipulate, or misrepresent data or findings is strictly prohibited.

9.2. Reviewers’ Responsibilities

• Manuscripts must be treated as strictly confidential. Reviewers must not upload the manuscript or any part of it into AI tools, as doing so may breach confidentiality, proprietary rights, or data privacy regulations.
• This confidentiality requirement also applies to peer review reports; reviewers should not use AI to edit or enhance their reports, even for language improvement.
• Peer review requires human critical thinking and independent judgment. Generative AI cannot replace scientific evaluation, and reviewers are fully accountable for the content of their reports.

9.3. Editors’ Responsibilities

• A submitted manuscript must always be treated as strictly confidential. Editors must not upload the manuscript—or any part of it—into a generative AI tool, as this may violate authors’ confidentiality, proprietary rights, or data privacy regulations.
• This confidentiality extends to all communications regarding the manuscript, including decision letters and notifications, which may contain sensitive information about the manuscript or authors. Editors should not use AI tools for drafting or editing these communications, even for language improvement.
• Managing the editorial evaluation of a manuscript requires responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by humans. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies must not be used to assess, evaluate, or make decisions about a manuscript, as these tools cannot provide the critical thinking and independent judgment required and may produce incomplete, biased, or inaccurate conclusions.
• Editors remain fully responsible and accountable for the editorial process, the final publication decision, and all communications to authors.

9.4. Transparency and Disclosure

• All AI-assisted activity must be disclosed in the manuscript (methods, acknowledgments, or a separate declaration).
• Non-disclosure or misuse may result in rejection, retraction, or other corrective measures.

9.5. Ethical Compliance

• All GenAI use must comply with ethical standards, copyright regulations, and research integrity policies.
• Human oversight is required for all text, figures, graphical abstracts, and visual content. Originality, accountability, and ethical conduct remain the responsibility of authors, reviewers, and editors.

By participating in the publication process—whether as an author, reviewer, or editor—stakeholders agree to comply with this policy. Non-compliance may lead to rejection, retraction, or other measures deemed appropriate by the editorial team.

TIJ is dedicated to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal has established procedures to address errors, ethical issues, or other concerns that arise before or after publication.

10.1 Corrections

• Purpose: Corrections are issued for minor errors in a published article that do not affect the overall conclusions or validity of the research.
• Examples: Author name or affiliation mistakes, typographical errors, minor data inaccuracies.
• Procedure:
  1. Errors may be reported by authors, readers, or editors.
  2. The Editor-in-Chief reviews the issue and determines whether a formal correction is required.
  3. A correction notice is published online and linked to the original article for clarity and transparency.

 10.2 Retractions

• Purpose: Retractions are issued for articles containing serious issues that invalidate the results or breach ethical standards.
• Examples:
  • Plagiarism or duplicate publication
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Breaches of ethical guidelines in research involving humans or animals
• Procedure:
  • Allegations are investigated by the Editor-in-Chief and, if necessary, external advisors.
  • Authors are notified and given an opportunity to provide an explanation.
  • If retraction is justified, a retraction notice is published and linked to the original article.
  • The original article remains accessible but is clearly marked as retracted, ensuring transparency of the scholarly record.

10.3. TIJ’s Article Withdrawal Policy

TIJ allows withdrawal of manuscripts only during the initial validation (screening) stage of submission.

• Withdrawal Requests: Authors must submit a written request specifying the reason for withdrawal.
• Post-Validation: Manuscripts cannot be withdrawn after passing initial validation, entering peer review, or after acceptance.
• Post-Publication: Withdrawal requests are not permitted once the article has been published.
• Approval Process: All withdrawal requests are subject to final approval by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board.

This policy ensures the integrity of the peer review process and the efficient use of editorial resources.

10.4 Expressions of Concern

• TIJ may issue expressions of concern when a potential problem requires investigation and a final decision (correction or retraction) is pending.
• These notices are linked to the article so readers are aware of ongoing review without removing the publication record.

10.5 General Principles

• All actions are guided by ethical publishing standards and the journal’s commitment to research integrity.
• TIJ maintains a permanent and transparent record of corrections, retractions, and withdrawals.
• Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to cooperate fully in addressing errors or misconduct.
• The policy ensures that published research remains reliable, accurate, and traceable.

TIJ is committed to promoting openness, reproducibility, and transparency in research. To ensure that published findings can be verified and built upon, authors are required to make the data underlying their research available.

1. Author Responsibilities

• Authors must clearly state whether the data supporting their findings are available, and if so, where they can be accessed.
• Where possible, data should be deposited in a recognized public repository (discipline-specific, general, or institutional).
• If data cannot be shared publicly due to ethical, legal, or confidentiality restrictions, authors must provide a clear justification in the manuscript.
• Authors should include a Data Availability Statement describing the accessibility of their dataset.

2. Types of Data Covered

• Raw and processed data supporting the study results.
• Software, code, models, and algorithms developed for the research.
• Protocols, methodologies, and workflows.
• Supplementary materials necessary to replicate the findings.

3. Acceptable Data Repositories

TIJ encourages the use of established repositories such as:

• General repositories (e.g., Zenodo, figshare, Dryad).
• Subject-specific repositories (e.g., GenBank, ClinicalTrials.gov).
• Institutional repositories.

Links or DOIs to datasets should be included in the article.

4. Data Citation

Datasets should be cited in the reference list following standard citation practices. This ensures that data creators receive appropriate credit.

5. Editorial and Reviewer Role

• Editors and reviewers may request access to data during the review process to verify findings.
• Failure to provide data (without adequate justification) may result in rejection or retraction.

6. Transparency in Research Reporting

TIJ expects authors to provide complete and accurate descriptions of their methods, analyses, and results. Transparency strengthens reproducibility and trust in the published work.

TIJ is committed to the long-term preservation and accessibility of all published content. Ensuring permanent availability of scholarly works is essential for maintaining the academic record, supporting future research, and upholding the integrity of the publication process.

12.1. Digital Preservation Strategy

• All published articles are assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure persistent and reliable linking.
• Articles are preserved in secure repositories and archiving systems to guarantee accessibility even in the event of website or system changes.

12.2. Third-Party Archiving Services

TIJ participates in the PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN), which provides decentralized, distributed digital preservation to ensure that journal content remains available in perpetuity, even if the journal itself is no longer active.

12.3. Redundancy and Backups

• TIJ maintains secure internal backups of all published content.
• Multiple copies are stored in geographically distributed locations to protect against data loss and to guarantee long-term accessibility.

12.4. Permanent Availability

• Once published, articles remain permanently accessible and retrievable.
• In rare cases of retraction or withdrawal, metadata and the reason for the decision will remain publicly available to preserve the scholarly record.

TIJ supports open access, transparency, and long-term accessibility of published research. To maximize the visibility and impact of articles, authors are permitted to deposit their work in repositories under the following guidelines:

1. Scope of Deposit
   • Only post-publication versions of articles (final published PDF with DOI) are eligible for deposit in institutional or subject repositories.
   • Preprints or unpublished manuscripts are not to be deposited or referenced as published works. Authors may share preprints on recognized preprint servers if allowed by journal policy, but these must be clearly marked as not peer-reviewed.
2. Version Policy
   • The version deposited must be the version of record (VoR), i.e., the final published PDF or HTML article.
   • Accepted Manuscripts (post-peer review, pre-typesetting) may only be shared with explicit permission, and must not be considered the official published version.
3. DOI and Metadata
   • Authors should include the DOI when depositing the article in a repository.
   • Full citation metadata (title, authors, journal name, volume, issue, pages, DOI) must accompany the deposited version.
4. Timing of Deposit
   • Deposit should occur after publication, once the article has completed final galley proofing and DOI assignment.
   • Pre-publication sharing is not permitted on repositories unless clearly indicated as a preprint.
5. Licensing
   • Authors retain copyright but must adhere to the journal’s license terms.
   • The deposited version must include a statement regarding the journal license (e.g., CC BY 4.0, or journal-specific license) as specified at publication.
6. Restrictions
   • The journal does not permit deposit of pre-peer-review drafts as published works.
   • Repository deposits must not conflict with journal licensing agreements.
7. Compliance
   • Authors are responsible for ensuring compliance with the repository’s rules and the journal’s licensing terms.
   • Any violation may result in corrective action by the journal, including removal of the article from the repository if necessary.

TIJ operates under a fully open-access model. To cover editorial, peer review, production, and online hosting costs, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance of their manuscript.

14.1. APC Details

• The APC amount is specified on the journal’s website “https://www.texilajournal.com/pricing.html” and communicated to authors upon submission.
• Payment is required after the manuscript is formally accepted and before publication.
• The APC covers:
  • Editorial handling and peer review management
  • Plagiarism checks and quality control
  • Production, typesetting, and copyediting
  • Online hosting, DOI assignment, and archiving

14.2. Refund Policy

TIJ is committed to transparency regarding Article Processing Charges (APC).

• Non-refundable Processing Fee: If a refund is requested before the article enters full peer review, 25% of the total APC will be retained to cover editorial handling, plagiarism checks, and administrative costs.
• Refundable Amount: The remaining 75% of the APC will be refunded to the author(s).
• Post-Review, Post-Acceptance, or Post-Publication: Refunds will not be issued once the manuscript has entered peer review, has been formally accepted, or has been published.
• Request Procedure: All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the editorial office via mail “ejournal.assist@tau.edu.gy”, stating the reason for the request. Requests will be processed promptly in accordance with journal policies.

This policy ensures editorial and operational costs are covered while maintaining fairness to authors.

14.3. Payment Methods

TIJ accepts secure payments via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or online payment gateways, as listed on the journal’s website/Journal Login (in USD).

TIJ does not accept advertising that could compromise editorial independence or research integrity.

All sponsorships or funding support are fully disclosed and cannot influence editorial decisions or the content of published research.

TIJ also ensures that any direct marketing activities (including email invitations to submit manuscripts, calls for papers, or promotional messages) are conducted responsibly, are clearly identified as journal communications, and are never misleading or coercive.

This policy guarantees impartiality and ensures that all manuscripts are evaluated solely on scientific merit.

Authors, reviewers, or readers who believe that an editorial decision was unjust, biased, or incorrect may submit a formal appeal or complaint.

• Appeals and complaints should be submitted via email to: ejournal.assist@tau.edu.gy.
• All submissions are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, and, where appropriate, an independent advisory board may be consulted.
• The process follows COPE flowcharts and guidelines to ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency.
• TIJ aims to provide a timely and equitable resolution, keeping all parties informed throughout the process.

TIJ follows internationally recognized standards to ensure high-quality, ethical, and transparent publishing:

• COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics): Ethical guidelines, misconduct management, and peer review practices.
• ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors): Authorship criteria, clinical trial registration, and reporting standards.
• WAME (World Association of Medical Editors): Editorial governance and best practices.
• DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals): Open access compliance and transparency.
• STM (International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers): Scientific and technical publishing standards.

TIJ regularly reviews and updates its policies to ensure alignment with evolving global best practices.

TIJ occasionally publishes thematic collections or special issues to highlight emerging topics, multidisciplinary research, or areas of strategic interest. These collections follow the same rigorous editorial and ethical standards as regular issues.

1. Editorial Oversight

• The Editor-in-Chief retains full responsibility for the content of all thematic collections.
• Guest editors may be appointed, but their activities must be overseen by the Editor-in-Chief or dedicated editorial board members to ensure compliance with journal standards and integrity.
• All thematic collections are reviewed for relevance, quality, and adherence to the journal’s scope.

2. Peer Review Standards

• Articles in thematic collections undergo the same double-blind peer review process as regular submissions.
• At least two independent reviewers evaluate each manuscript for originality, methodological rigor, and ethical compliance.
• Manuscripts failing to meet TIJ’s quality standards will not be included, regardless of thematic relevance.

3. Guest Editor Contributions

• Submissions by guest editors must undergo an independent peer review process.
• The Editor-in-Chief or designated board members must supervise the guest editors to maintain editorial independence and transparency.
• Guest editor submissions should comprise no more than 25% of the total content in the respective issue, ensuring editorial balance and fairness.

4. Author/Institution Contributions:
   • Contributions from a single researcher are limited to no more than 1% of total annual publications.
   • Participation from collaborators or institutional partners is capped at 20% of total annual publications.

5. Ethical Compliance

• All submissions must adhere to TIJ’s publication ethics, COPE guidelines, and journal policies.
• Guest editors and authors must disclose conflicts of interest.
• Plagiarism checks using TIJ-approved software are mandatory.

6. Transparency and Visibility

• Announcements and editorial notes for thematic collections clearly describe the scope, objectives, and guest editor(s) involved, providing transparency and context for readers and authors.
• Thematic collections are clearly labeled on the journal website and in the Table of Contents.

TIJ is governed by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board, who are responsible for upholding journal policies, ensuring adherence to international standards, and maintaining the overall integrity of the publication.

All queries related to editorial decisions, ethics, or publication processes may be directed to the journal office through the following channels:

• Email: ejournal.assist@tau.edu.gy
• Website Contact Form

TIJ is committed to prompt, transparent, and professional communication in all matters.

Texila International Journal (TIJ) is owned and published by Texila American University (TAU). The University provides the infrastructure, administrative support, and publishing platform required for the operation of TIJ.

The editorial management of the journal is overseen by the Editor-in-Chief in collaboration with the Editorial Board. Editorial decisions are made independently of the publisher, ensuring that all manuscripts are evaluated solely on the basis of academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journals’ scope.

This structure upholds transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices as recommended by COPE, ICMJE, WAME, DOAJ, and the STM Association.