Citation Policy
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Transparent Attribution
All material drawn from other sources, including the authors’ prior publications, must be properly credited. Direct quotes must be enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by a full citation. This requirement also applies to the author’s own previously published work (self-citation). -
Responsible Self-Citation
Citing one’s own work is appropriate when it directly supports the content. However, excessive self-citation should be avoided. Citations should enhance the work, not artificially inflate citation metrics. -
Firsthand Use of Sources
Authors should cite sources only after reading and understanding them. Merely copying citations from others’ reference lists without consulting the original material is not acceptable. -
Avoiding Preferential Citations
Citations should be chosen for scholarly merit and relevance. Do not favor one's own publications, the work of close collaborators, or affiliations with one’s institution without clear, justified reason. -
Exclusion of Non-Scholarly Sources
Non-scholarly materials such as advertisements, sponsored content, or commercial promotional materials must not be included in reference lists. -
Compliance with COPE Guidelines
In accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), citation practices must avoid manipulation. Practices such as citation stacking, coercive citation, or including irrelevant references to influence impact metrics are strictly prohibited. -
Ethical Referencing
Manipulating citation patterns to influence metrics or editorial outcomes undermines the integrity of the scholarly record. Such practices will be investigated and may result in editorial sanctions or retraction of the submission.
