REIJ Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics and Best Editorial Practices of REIJ

I. Statement of Principles

La Revista Especializada en Investigación Jurídica is an open-access scientific journal committed to academic integrity, intellectual honesty, transparency, scientific responsibility, editorial independence, and respect for human rights.

REIJ promotes the generation, dissemination, and preservation of legal knowledge through rigorous, impartial, and transparent editorial processes guided by the principles of scientific quality, academic plurality, and freedom of research.

This Code of Ethics establishes the principles and responsibilities that must be observed by authors, reviewers, members of the Editorial Board, guest editors, and all other participants in the editorial process.

II. Guiding Principles

All activities related 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a) Submit original and unpublished works resulting from genuine research.

b) Ensure that the data, arguments, interpretations, and conclusions presented are accurate and verifiable.

c) Properly acknowledge all sources through complete citations and references.

d) Disclose any funding, sponsorship, or conflicts of interest that may influence the research.

e) Obtain the necessary permissions for the use of copyrighted materials.

f) Cooperate with the journal when clarifications, corrections, or supplementary information are required.

g) Promptly notify the journal if significant errors are identified in a submitted or published manuscript.

h) Comply with the REIJ Artificial Intelligence Use Policy whenever AI tools have been employed during manuscript preparation.

IV. Conduct Contrary to Academic Ethics

REIJ considers the following practices to be violations of publication ethics:

a) Plagiarism.

b) Undisclosed self-plagiarism.

c) Fabrication or falsification of data.

d) Manipulation of empirical or documentary information.

e) Improper use of references.

f) Fictitious or misleading citations.

g) Artificial fragmentation of research results.

h) Misappropriation of authorship.

i) Deliberate omission of individuals who made substantial contributions.

j) Inclusion of authors who did not significantly contribute to the research.

k) Manipulation of editorial or peer-review processes.

l) Deliberate concealment of the use of artificial intelligence tools when disclosure is required.

V. Authorship and Intellectual Contribution

Authorship shall be granted only to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, development, analysis, or writing of the work.

The use of artificial intelligence tools does not create authorship or co-authorship rights.

No artificial intelligence system may be listed as an author, co-author, or corresponding author of a manuscript.

VI. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers shall:

a) Conduct objective, well-founded, and respectful evaluations.

b) Maintain the confidentiality of all information contained in the manuscripts.

c) Refrain from using information obtained through the review process for personal benefit or the benefit of third parties.

d) Disclose any conflicts of interest in a timely manner.

e) Inform the journal of any suspected cases of plagiarism, duplicate publication, or ethical misconduct identified during the review process.

f) Comply with the REIJ Artificial Intelligence Use Policy regarding the use of technological tools during peer review.

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) Ensure the academic quality of the journal.

b) Preserve editorial independence.

c) Resolve ethical disputes objectively and impartially.

d) Protect the confidentiality of editorial processes.

e) Promote the continuous improvement of editorial policies.

f) Apply consistent criteria during manuscript evaluation.

g) Monitor compliance with the Journal’s Artificial Intelligence Use Policy.

VIII. Responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief shall be responsible for:

a) Coordinating the editorial process.

b) Ensuring compliance with this Code of Ethics.

c) Appointing competent and independent reviewers.

d) Making editorial decisions based exclusively on academic criteria.

e) Preventing discrimination based on nationality, gender, age, ideology, political views, religion, or institutional affiliation.

f) Properly managing conflicts of interest that may arise during the editorial process.

IX. Conflicts of Interest

All participants in the editorial process shall disclose any circumstances that may affect their independence, impartiality, or professional judgment.

The existence of a conflict of interest does not necessarily imply exclusion from the editorial process; however, it must be evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board.

X. Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

REIJ recognizes that artificial intelligence tools may constitute legitimate instruments to support academic research.

Their use must comply with the Artificial Intelligence Use Policy of the Specialized Journal of Legal Research.

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 omission of AI-use disclosures or the use of AI tools to generate false information, non-existent references, or misleading content shall constitute an ethical violation.

XI. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

When significant errors or potential ethical violations 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 protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Decisions shall be made in accordance with due editorial process and with respect for the right of response of the individuals involved.

XII. Reporting Ethical Misconduct

Any person may report suspected ethical misconduct to the journal through the appropriate institutional channels.

Reports shall be reviewed confidentially, impartially, and objectively by the Editor-in-Chief and, when appropriate, by the Editorial Board.

XIII. Resolution of Ethical Disputes

Ethical disputes arising during the editorial process shall be resolved in accordance with this Code, the editorial policies of REIJ, and internationally recognized standards of publication ethics.

The Editorial Board may request additional information, supporting documentation, or the participation of external experts when the complexity of the matter requires it.

XIV. Final Provision

The submission, evaluation, peer review, and publication of manuscripts in the Specialized Journal of Legal Research imply acceptance of this Code of Ethics, the Editorial Guidelines, and the Journal’s Artificial Intelligence Use Policy.

All participants in the editorial process shall conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of academic integrity, scientific responsibility, and respect for the best editorial practices that guide REIJ.