Afaaq Research for Urban Studies is committed to the highest standards of publication ethics and follows internationally recognized guidelines, including those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The journal adheres to the following core principles:

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

Peer Review Ethics

All submissions undergo a rigorous, unbiased peer review process conducted by qualified experts. Reviewers are expected to maintain confidentiality and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Authorship and Originality

Submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. All listed authors must have made a significant scholarly contribution.

Plagiarism and Misconduct

Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, redundant publication, and other forms of research misconduct are strictly prohibited and will result in rejection or retraction.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its evaluation.

Corrections and Retractions

The journal is committed to correcting the scholarly record when necessary through corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.

Detailed editorial and ethical policies are available within the journal system and are applied consistently to all submissions.

Ethical Oversight and Complaints

Concerns or complaints regarding editorial decisions, ethical issues, or publication practices should be submitted to the Editorial Office.

Complaints will be handled in a fair, confidential, and timely manner, following COPE recommendations. Appeals of editorial decisions may be considered when justified and supported by evidence.

Data Availability and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to ensure transparency in research methods and data reporting. Where applicable, data availability statements should be included to support reproducibility and research integrity.

Advertising and Commercial Activity

The journal does not allow advertising or commercial influence to affect editorial decisions. Any publisher-related commercial activities are strictly separated from the editorial and peer-review processes.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

By submitting a manuscript to Afaaq Research for Urban Studies, authors confirm their compliance with these ethical and publication policies.