REIJ Code of Ethics
I. Statement of Principles
The Revista Especializada en Investigación Jurídica (REIJ) is an open-access scholarly journal committed to academic integrity, intellectual honesty, transparency, scientific responsibility, editorial independence, and respect for human rights.
The REIJ promotes the creation, dissemination, and preservation of legal scholarship through rigorous, impartial, and transparent editorial processes guided by the principles of scientific excellence, academic pluralism, and freedom of research.
This Code of Ethics establishes the principles and responsibilities that shall govern the conduct of authors, reviewers, members of the Editorial Board, guest editors, and all other participants involved in the editorial process.
II. Guiding Principles
All activities relating to the journal shall be governed by the following principles:
a) Academic integrity.
b) Intellectual honesty.
c) Transparency.
d) Impartiality.
e) Editorial independence.
f) Confidentiality.
g) Scientific responsibility.
h) Respect for the diversity of theoretical and methodological approaches.
i) Respect for human rights.
j) Accountability.
III. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors shall:
a) Submit original works representing the results of genuine research.
b) Ensure that the data, arguments, interpretations, and conclusions presented are accurate and verifiable.
c) Properly acknowledge all sources through complete and accurate citations and references.
d) Disclose any funding, sponsorship, or conflicts of interest that may have influenced the research.
e) Obtain the necessary permissions for the use of materials protected by copyright.
f) Cooperate with the journal whenever clarification, corrections, or additional information are required.
g) Promptly notify the journal upon discovering any significant errors in a submitted or published manuscript.
h) Comply with the REIJ Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence whenever AI tools have been used during the preparation of the manuscript.
IV. Conduct Contrary to Academic Ethics
The REIJ considers the following practices to constitute breaches of editorial ethics:
a) Plagiarism.
b) Undisclosed self-plagiarism.
c) Fabrication or falsification of research data.
d) Manipulation of empirical or documentary evidence.
e) Improper use of bibliographic references.
f) Fabricated or misleading citations.
g) Artificial fragmentation of research findings (salami publication).
h) Misappropriation of authorship.
i) Deliberate omission of individuals who made substantial intellectual contributions.
j) Inclusion of individuals as authors despite the absence of genuine scholarly contributions.
k) Manipulation of editorial or peer-review processes.
l) Deliberate failure to disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools where such disclosure is required.
V. Authorship and Intellectual Contribution
Authorship shall be granted exclusively to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, development, analysis, or drafting of the work.
The use of artificial intelligence tools does not confer authorship or co-authorship.
No artificial intelligence system may be identified as the author, co-author, or corresponding author of a manuscript
VI. Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers shall:
a) Conduct objective, well-reasoned, and respectful evaluations.
b) Maintain the confidentiality of all information contained in the manuscripts under review.
c) Refrain from using information obtained through the peer-review process for their own benefit or that of third parties.
d) Promptly disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
e) Inform the journal of any suspected cases of plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other breaches of publication ethics identified during the review process.
f) Comply with the REIJ Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence regarding the use of technological tools during the peer-review process.
g) Refrain from uploading complete manuscripts or substantial portions thereof to generative artificial intelligence platforms.
VII. Responsibilities of the Editorial Board
The Editorial Board shall:
a) Safeguard the academic quality of the journal.
b) Preserve editorial independence.
c) Resolve ethical disputes in an objective, impartial, and timely manner.
d) Protect the confidentiality of all editorial processes.
e) Promote the continuous improvement of the journal's editorial policies.
f) Apply consistent and transparent criteria throughout the manuscript evaluation process.
g) Oversee compliance with the journal's Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence.
VIII. Responsibilities of the Editors-in-Chief
The Editors-in-Chief shall:
a) Coordinate the editorial process.
b) Ensure the implementation and enforcement of this Code of Ethics.
c) Appoint qualified, independent, and impartial reviewers.
d) Make editorial decisions based exclusively on academic merit and scholarly criteria.
e) Avoid any form of discrimination based on nationality, gender, age, ideology, political opinion, religion, or institutional affiliation.
f) Properly manage any conflicts of interest that may arise during the editorial process.
IX. Conflicts of Interest
All individuals participating in the editorial process shall disclose any circumstances that may affect, or reasonably be perceived to affect, their independence, impartiality, or professional judgment.
The existence of a conflict of interest shall not automatically preclude participation in the editorial process. However, each case shall be assessed by the Editor-in-Chief or, where appropriate, by the Editorial Board.
X. Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
The REIJ recognizes that artificial intelligence tools may serve as legitimate instruments to support academic research.
Their use shall comply with the Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence of the Revista Especializada en Investigación Jurídica.
Any use of artificial intelligence shall adhere to the principles of transparency, human oversight, academic responsibility, verifiability of results, and respect for intellectual property rights.
The deliberate failure to disclose the use of artificial intelligence, or the use of AI tools to generate false information, fabricated references, or misleading content, shall constitute a breach of publication ethics
XI. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern
Whenever significant errors or potential breaches of publication ethics are identified, the journal may:
a) Request clarifications from the individuals involved.
b) Publish corrections.
c) Issue editorial expressions of concern.
d) Retract published articles.
e) Adopt any other measures necessary to safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record.
All decisions shall be made in accordance with the principles of due editorial process and with full respect for the right of the individuals concerned to be heard.
XII. Reporting Alleged Ethical Misconduct
Any individual may report suspected breaches of publication ethics to the journal through the appropriate institutional channels.
All allegations shall be examined confidentially, impartially, and objectively by the Editor-in-Chief and, where appropriate, by the Editorial Board.
XIII. Resolution of Ethical Disputes
Any ethical disputes arising during the editorial process shall be resolved in accordance with this Code of Ethics, the editorial policies of the REIJ, and internationally recognized standards and recommendations on publication ethics.
Where the complexity of a case so requires, the Editorial Board may request additional information, supporting documentation, or the opinion of independent external experts.
XIV. Final Provision
The submission, evaluation, peer review, and publication of manuscripts in the Revista Especializada en Investigación Jurídica imply acceptance of this Code of Ethics, the Editorial Guidelines, and the Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence of the journal.
All individuals participating in the editorial process shall conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of academic integrity, scientific responsibility, and respect for best practices in scholarly publishing that guide the Revista Especializada en Investigación Jurídica.
