Code of Ethics and Publication

post(s) adheres to the Honor Code and Coexistence Policy of Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), with particular emphasis on Title II: Ethics of Research and Creation, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of researchers as well as protocols for conflict resolution.

Additionally, post(s) endorses the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), as well as the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These principles apply to all participants in the editorial process: editors, reviewers, and authors. By adhering to these standards, the journal follows international best practices in editorial ethics and promotes responsible research and publication practices.

Author Responsibilities

Authorship must reflect substantial intellectual contributions to both the research and the preparation of the manuscript. All authors listed on a manuscript must meet the following criteria:

• Have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, research, or analysis presented in the manuscript.
• Have participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript.
• Have approved the final version of the manuscript.
• Accept responsibility for the content of the work.
• Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be properly acknowledged in the acknowledgments section.

Authors also commit to:

• Ensuring that the manuscript is original and has not been previously published or submitted for review elsewhere.
• Properly citing all sources used.
• Respecting ethical standards in the use of images, archives, testimonies, and sensitive materials, and obtaining reproduction permissions for copyrighted images.
• Declaring sources of funding and any relationships that may influence the research.

Guest Editors Responsibilities

Each issue of the journal is developed in collaboration with a guest editor. Their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the academic quality, thematic coherence, and relevance of the proposed issue.
• Working closely with the editorial team throughout the different stages of the editorial process, in accordance with the journal’s policies and ethical guidelines.
• Proposing qualified reviewers while avoiding any conflicts of interest.
• Refraining from making editorial decisions on manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Peer Reviewers Responsibilities

Peer review is fundamental to maintaining the quality and integrity of the publication process. Reviewers are expected to:

• Evaluate manuscripts objectively, rigorously, and constructively, within the established deadlines.
• Maintain the confidentiality of the manuscripts under review.
• Notify the editorial team if they believe they can identify the author or detect any conflict of interest.
• Inform the editors of any ethical concerns or possible cases of plagiarism.
• Refrain from using information contained in the manuscripts for personal benefit.

Editorial Team Responsibilities

The editorial team of post(s) develops an editorial process grounded in dialogue and ongoing engagement with authors. In an initial stage, and in coordination with the guest editor, a preliminary selection of manuscripts is conducted before they are sent for peer review.

The editorial team commits to:

• Making editorial decisions based solely on academic merit, originality, and the relevance of the manuscript.
• Evaluating submissions without discrimination based on race, gender, institutional affiliation, nationality, or political beliefs.
• Ensuring transparent, timely, and confidential review processes.
• Avoiding conflicts of interest in the assignment of reviewers and in editorial decision-making.
• Promoting and disseminating published essays through the journal’s platforms.
• Responding appropriately and promptly to complaints, appeals, or ethical concerns.
• Promoting critical and responsible editorial practices in line with the journal’s scope and mission.

Conflicts of Interest

All participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the evaluation or publication of a manuscript.

Conflicts of interest may arise from financial relationships, institutional affiliations, academic collaborations, or personal relationships that may affect objectivity.

Reviewers who identify a potential conflict of interest must notify the editors and withdraw from the evaluation when necessary.

Editors will avoid assigning reviewers who may have conflicts of interest with the authors.

Authors must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest at the time of submission.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

post(s) is committed to ensuring the originality and integrity of all published research.

Authors must submit original work and properly acknowledge all sources and references used. The journal does not tolerate plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data fabrication, or other forms of academic misconduct.

Submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection tools. If evidence of plagiarism or unethical research practices is identified during the review process, the manuscript will be rejected.

If such issues are discovered after publication, the journal will take appropriate corrective actions.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If significant errors or ethical issues are identified in a published article, the journal will take the necessary measures to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

These actions may include:

• The publication of corrections or errata.
• The issuance of expressions of concern.
• The retraction of the article when necessary.

Retractions will be clearly identified and linked to the original article.