At Haut, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and editorial independence. Our editorial policies are designed to ensure fairness in decision-making, safeguard research ethics, and uphold the credibility of all published work. These policies reflect internationally recognized guidelines, including those set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other leading scholarly publishing bodies.
Below is a detailed outline of our editorial practices and ethical responsibilities:
Peer Review Process
All manuscripts submitted to Haut undergo a double-blind peer review process, meaning the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed. This ensures an unbiased assessment based solely on the academic merit of the submission.
- Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field.
- Reviewers evaluate the originality, methodology, significance, clarity, and ethical standards of the research.
- The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board make the final decision to accept, reject, or request revisions based on reviewer feedback.
Plagiarism and Originality
We strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. All manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection tools prior to review. Authors must ensure that their work is original, properly cited, and has not been previously published or submitted elsewhere.
Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, data fabrication, or unauthorized use of another’s work, will result in immediate rejection and may lead to permanent banning from future submission.
Authorship Criteria
Authorship must be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the research and manuscript preparation. Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in the “Acknowledgments” section.
- All listed authors must approve the final version of the manuscript.
- Changes in authorship (additions/removals) after submission require written consent from all co-authors and justification to the editorial office.
Conflicts of Interest
All authors, reviewers, and editorial board members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest—financial, institutional, or personal—that could influence their objectivity.
Disclosures must be made at the time of manuscript submission or review. If a conflict is identified post-publication, appropriate corrections or retractions may be issued.
Research Ethics and Approvals
For studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data, authors must provide ethical approval from a recognized committee or institutional review board (IRB).
- Informed consent must be obtained where applicable.
- Ethical standards should align with the Declaration of Helsinki or local equivalents.
Failure to meet ethical requirements may result in rejection, retraction, or notification to relevant authorities.
Corrections, Retractions, and Post-Publication Discussions
If errors are discovered after publication that affect the scientific integrity or interpretation of the article:
- A correction notice (erratum or corrigendum) will be published.
- In cases of serious misconduct or fundamental flaws, a retraction may be issued.
- Readers and authors may contact the editorial office to raise concerns about published work.
Editorial Independence and Transparency
Haut maintains full editorial independence, free from commercial influence or institutional bias. Decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and alignment with the journal’s scope.
Our editorial board members are selected based on academic reputation, expertise, and commitment to ethical publishing. All board activities are voluntary, and members follow strict confidentiality and impartiality guidelines.
Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to:
- Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
- Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript and review process.
- Disclose any conflict of interest immediately.
- Refrain from using any part of the manuscript prior to publication.