Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is dedicated to maintaining the utmost standards of ethics in publishing and takes into consideration the guidelines for transparency and excellence in scholarly publishing established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA).

Editorial Procedures
» Fair play
» Submission and Acceptance Guidelines
» Content Relevance and Scope Alignment
» Editorial Independence Policy
» Editorial Decisions and Appeals
» Editorial and Reviewer Accountability Policy
» Multiple Submissions
» Section Policies
» Resolving inconsistencies
» Publishing Schedule

Ethical Standards and Research Integrity
» Ethical Standards and Anti-Bias
» Disclosure and conflicts of interest
» Data fabrication and falsification
» Policy of Screening for Plagiarism
» Policy on Ethical Committee Approval
» Data sharing and reproducibility
» Retrospective Ethical Review Policy
» Policies on the Use of AI
» Manuscript Withdrawal by the Authors

Peer Review Process
» Peer Review Statement
» Author and Reviewer Communication

Publication and Post-Publication Policies
» Citation Policies
» Retraction and Correction Policy
» Post-publication Discussions
» CrossMark Policy

Access, Licensing, and Archiving
» Open Access Policy
» Repository Policy
» Self-archiving policy
» Archiving Digital Version
» Article Processing Charge
» Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Policy

Intellectual Property and Copyright
» Journal policies on intellectual property
» Copyright
» Licensing
» Ownership

Administration and Transparency
» Investigations and Complaints Policy
» Privacy Statement
» Journal’s Revenue Sources
» General Repositories
» ORCID Number
» Disclaimer

Duties
» Duties of Editors
» Duties of Authors
» Duties of Reviewers
» Duties of the Publisher

 

Editorial Procedures

Fair play

Manuscripts are assessed based solely on their intellectual merit, without consideration of the author's age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, or political beliefs.

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Submission and Acceptance Guidelines

We provide detailed submission guidelines that outline our requirements for manuscript preparation, formatting, referencing, and ethical considerations. Authors must adhere to these guidelines to facilitate a smooth review process. Our acceptance criteria are transparent and consistently applied, focusing on the quality, relevance, and integrity of the research. We enforce ethical standards uniformly, including policies on plagiarism, data fabrication, and conflicts of interest.

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Content Relevance and Scope Alignment

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is committed to publishing high-quality, original research that significantly contributes to the field of urban studies. To maintain the journal’s thematic integrity and ensure that readers receive relevant and focused content, all submitted manuscripts must align with the journal’s stated aims and scope. Manuscripts that fall outside the journal’s scope will not be considered for review. To see the aims and Scope of the journal please click here.

To ensure alignment with the journal’s scope, all submissions must meet the following criteria:

  1. Thematic Relevance: The manuscript must address contemporary urban issues and align with the journal’s focus areas.
  2. Originality: The research must present original findings, insights, or theoretical contributions that advance the field of urban studies.
  3. Methodological Rigor: The study should employ robust and appropriate research methods, with clear explanations of data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  4. Practical or Theoretical Significance: The manuscript should demonstrate how the research contributes to urban theory, policy, or practice.
  5. Clarity and Coherence: The manuscript must be well-written, logically structured, and accessible to an interdisciplinary audience.

Submissions that do not meet the scope and relevance criteria will be desk-rejected without proceeding to peer review. Authors will be notified of the decision with an explanation. To ensure your manuscript meets the journal’s formatting and submission requirements, please refer to the detailed Manuscript Preparation Guidelines available at the following link: Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

For further inquiries about scope alignment or submission suitability, please contact the Editorial Office at editor@ijcua.com.

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Editorial Independence Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs upholds complete editorial independence, ensuring that all editorial decisions are made solely based on scholarly merit, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Although the journal is owned by Alanya University, the editorial process operates independently from institutional influence, financial considerations, or external pressures. The Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board have full authority over the selection, review, and publication of manuscripts, following COPE’s guidelines on editorial integrity. Any attempts to interfere with editorial decisions will be formally addressed to maintain the transparency, credibility, and autonomy of the journal.

 

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Editorial Decisions and Appeals

Our editorial decisions are made based on objective criteria and are communicated transparently to authors. Each decision—whether acceptance, revision, or rejection—is accompanied by constructive feedback from editors and reviewers.

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe a review contained factual errors, biased evaluations, or misinterpretations of their research. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 14 days of receiving the editorial decision and must include:

  1. A formal appeal letter outlining the specific concerns regarding the decision.
  2. A point-by-point response addressing the reviewers' comments, supported by evidence or references.
  3. Any additional clarifications that may help the editorial board reassess the manuscript.

Review of Appeals:

  • The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board, will review the appeal within 14 days of submission.
  • If necessary, an independent reviewer or a different section editor may be assigned to evaluate the manuscript.
  • The outcome of the appeal may result in one of the following decisions:
    • Uphold the original decision (rejection remains final).
    • Invite the authors to submit a revised version for further review.
    • Reassign the manuscript to new reviewers for an additional evaluation.

The final decision on an appeal is made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the Editorial Board and is binding. Authors will be notified of the final decision via email, and no further appeals will be considered after this point.

 

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Editorial and Reviewer Accountability Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and accountability in all editorial decisions. Editors and reviewers are expected to evaluate submissions based on scholarly merit, methodological soundness, and relevance to the journal’s scope, avoiding subjective biases or personal preferences. To ensure accountability, all editorial decisions are regularly reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board. If concerns arise regarding an editor or reviewer’s consistent rejection or acceptance of papers based on non-academic criteria, the matter will be formally investigated, and corrective actions—such as reassignment of manuscripts or removal from editorial duties—may be taken. This policy aligns with COPE’s ethical guidelines to uphold the integrity and credibility of the peer review process.

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Multiple Submissions

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs upholds strict standards against multiple submissions and redundant publications. We do not consider manuscripts that are under review at another publication simultaneously, nor do we accept manuscripts that substantially duplicate content published or submitted elsewhere. Authors must confirm that their submission is exclusive to this journal and is not being considered elsewhere, ensuring a fair and thorough peer-review process and contributing to the timely and ethical publication of research. Authors are required to ensure that their submitted work is original and has not been published previously in any other journal, book, or conference proceedings. This policy preserves the integrity of published research and provides readers with unique, original contributions to urban studies. By submitting to the journal, authors affirm that their work is original and not under consideration elsewhere.

Submissions that contravene this policy may be rejected immediately. Any instances of multiple submissions or redundancy will be addressed in accordance with the journal’s ethical guidelines. Authors are encouraged to comply fully with this policy to uphold the high standards of academic publishing and to support the dissemination of unique, rigorously vetted research.

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Section Policies

Original Research:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

Review Articles:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

Studies and articles:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

Case Studies:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

Monographic studies:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

Book Reviews:

Open Submissions

Indexed

Double-blind peer review

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Resolving Inconsistencies

In the case that an author has serious and reasonable objections to a review, the Editorial team makes an assessment of whether the said review is objective and whether it meets academic standards. If there is doubt about the objectivity or quality of the review, the Editor-in-Chief will assign an additional reviewer(s).

Additional reviewers may also be assigned when reviewers’ decisions (accept or reject) are contrary to each other or are otherwise substantially incompatible.

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Publishing Schedule

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs publishes two issues per year (June and December). Prior to release as full issue, the accepted papers will first be published online on the website of the journal.

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Ethical Standards and Research Integrity

Ethical Standards and Anti-Bias

We are committed to upholding the highest standards of editorial integrity and fairness. Our editorial team and reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and to treat all submissions impartially. Decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and relevance to the journal's scope, without discrimination based on authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy. We enforce ethical practices consistently across all submissions.

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Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest, also known as competing interests, arise when external factors might influence the impartiality or objectivity of the research or its evaluation. Transparent disclosure of any potential conflicts allows others to make informed decisions regarding the research and its review process. Common types of conflicts of interest include:

  • Financial
  • Affiliations
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal
  • Ideological
  • Academic

All authors must explicitly disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest related to the submitted work. This includes, but is not limited to, financial support, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patents, or relationships with organizations that may benefit or be harmed by the research findings. Authors are required to include a clearly stated “Conflict of Interest” section at the end of their manuscript, preceding the References section. This section should provide a concise summary of any relevant conflicts. If no conflicts exist, the statement should explicitly declare “The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.”

Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves from handling or assessing manuscripts in which they have any conflicts of interest that could compromise their impartiality.

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Data Fabrication and Falsification

At our journal, we uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and research ethics. We strictly adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines regarding data fabrication and falsification. Any instance of misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Data Fabrication refers to the intentional creation of non-existent data or research results without having conducted any actual experiments, observations, or data collection. Data Falsification involves manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, or altering, omitting, or modifying data to misrepresent research findings. This includes selective reporting and deceptive image or figure manipulation.

Prohibited Practices: We reserve the right to reject, retract, or report any manuscript found to involve:

  • Fabrication or falsification of research data, images, figures, or experimental outcomes.
  • Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism (text recycling) and unauthorized use of others' work.
  • Submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously (redundant publication).
  • Salami slicing, where a single study is fragmented into multiple papers to increase publication count.
  • Citation manipulation, including excessive self-citation, coercive citation practices, or citation stacking to inflate metrics.
  • Improper authorship practices, such as ghost authorship, gift authorship, or denial of rightful authorship.

If data fabrication, falsification, or any form of misconduct is confirmed, the journal may:

  • Reject or retract the paper (if already published).
  • Notify the author’s institution and relevant funding bodies about the misconduct.
  • Place a submission ban on the authors for a defined period.
  • Report the violation to COPE and other indexing databases to uphold academic integrity.

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Policy of Screening for Plagiarism

All papers submitted to the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs will undergo a plagiarism check using the iThenticate software, part of the CrossCheck Plagiarism Screening System. Any papers found to contain plagiarism or self-plagiarism will be immediately rejected. The journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and expects all submissions to be original works of the authors. Proper citation and acknowledgment of sources are mandatory. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are free from any form of plagiarism, including duplicate publication of their own previous work without proper citation. The journal reserves the right to report any instances of plagiarism to the authors' institutions and relevant authorities. By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to these terms and acknowledge that failure to comply may result in sanctions.

 

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Policy on Ethical Committee Approval

Our journal adheres to COPE's ethical guidelines, including policies on consent for publication, protection of vulnerable populations, ethical treatment of animals and human subjects, handling confidential information, and responsible business practices. For studies requiring ethical committee approval, authors must provide detailed information about the approval, including the name of the ethical committee, the date of approval, and the approval number. This information must be explicitly stated in:

  1. The Methodology Section: Include the ethical approval details as part of the description of the study's methods.
  2. The First and Last Page of the Manuscript: Clearly mention the ethical approval details for transparency.

This statement must appear at the end of the manuscript—under the heading “Institutional Review Board Statement” and before the references section. Authors may choose one of the following scenarios relevant to your study (and adjust the details as needed):

-This study received ethical approval from [Committee Name], approval number [Number], dated [Date].

-This study did not require ethical approval as it does not involve human or animal subjects.

-Ethical approval was not applicable to this study in accordance with [specific guideline or reason].

-All procedures followed ethical standards and were conducted in compliance with institutional and national regulations.

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Data Sharing and Reproducibility

We follow the FAIR Principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) for data sharing. If authors do not provide access to raw data without a valid reason, their article may be rejected. All submissions must include a Data Availability statement, even if there is no data included.

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Retrospective Ethical Review Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines regarding retrospective ethical approval. Retrospective ethical approval refers to cases where a study was conducted without prior ethics committee approval, and authors seek approval after the research has been completed. As a general policy, the journal does not accept retrospective ethical approvals, as ethical oversight should be obtained before research begins to ensure compliance with ethical standards, particularly in studies involving human or animal subjects. However, in exceptional cases where authors can demonstrate that ethical standards were followed despite the lack of prior approval, the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board will assess the study on a case-by-case basis. Authors must provide a formal statement from their institution's ethics committee acknowledging that the study aligns with ethical principles and would have been approved under current guidelines. The journal reserves the right to reject submissions that fail to meet these requirements, ensuring that all published research upholds the highest ethical standards.

 

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Policies on the Use of AI  

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs follows COPE guidelines in these matters, and authors are encouraged to consult the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) resources for further guidance. As stated by COPE, authors remain fully responsible for all content in their manuscripts, including any portions influenced by AI tools, and are accountable for any breaches of publication ethics.

For Authors:

AI or AI-driven large language models (e.g., NovelAI, Jasper AI, DALL-E, ChatGPT, Rytr AI) cannot be credited as authors or co-authors under any circumstances, as they lack the capacity for responsibility and accountability required of human contributors. All intellectual content, including that refined or developed with AI assistance, must be validated and overseen by the human authors, ensuring the manuscript’s integrity and ethical compliance.

AI may be employed to improve the clarity, fluency, and readability of the manuscript’s text, helping to refine language, resolve grammatical errors, and enhance overall presentation.

Any use of AI—whether for language editing, conceptual refinement, or other non-authorial support—must be transparently acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section. Authors must clearly state how AI was utilized and confirm that final content has been verified by the authors themselves in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Generative AI Images:

The Journal does not accept images produced solely by AI due to unsettled legal, ethical, and copyright concerns. AI-based enhancements to pre-existing images or visuals must be fully disclosed so that editors and readers can assess the nature of the modifications. In rare cases, when AI-generated imagery is integral to the research itself (e.g., studies examining AI image generation methods), such content may be considered, provided it is clearly labeled as AI-generated and ethically sourced, and that it meets all applicable legal and copyright standards.

AI Use by Reviewers:

Peer reviewers must not share or upload any part of a manuscript to generative AI platforms, thus maintaining strict confidentiality and data protection. Reviewers may use AI tools in a limited manner, such as refining their written feedback for clarity. However, any such use must be explicitly disclosed in their submitted review report. Reviewers remain fully accountable for the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of their assessments, ensuring that AI does not supplant their professional judgment, expertise, and adherence to ethical standards.

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Manuscript Withdrawal by the Authors

Authors have the right to withdraw their manuscript from the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs at any stage before final publication. To request withdrawal, the corresponding author must submit a formal written request to the editorial office, stating the manuscript title, submission ID, and reason for withdrawal. The request will be processed within seven working days, and once approved, the manuscript will be removed from the editorial system. Withdrawal after peer review or acceptance is discouraged unless there are compelling reasons, such as ethical concerns or significant errors. Authors should note that once a manuscript is published online, it cannot be withdrawn, and any necessary corrections or retractions will follow the journal’s Retraction & Correction Policy, in line with COPE guidelines.

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Peer Review Process

Peer Review Statement

At the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, every submitted manuscript undergoes a rigorous double-blind peer review process. We apply consistent review criteria to all submissions, evaluating them based on originality, relevance to contemporary urban issues, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the field. Our reviewers follow standardized guidelines to ensure each manuscript is assessed fairly and thoroughly, without bias or favoritism. For details on the journal's Peer Review Statement, please visit the following link: https://www.ijcua.com/ijcua/reviewing-procedure

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Author and Reviewer Communication

We ensure consistent and professional communication with authors, reviewers, and editorial board members. Our correspondence follows standardized templates that provide clear instructions, expectations, and updates throughout the submission and review process. Feedback to authors is constructive and detailed, aiming to assist in improving their work. We are committed to prompt responses and transparent communication to foster a collaborative and respectful publishing environment.

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Publication and Post-Publication Policies

Citation Policies

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs adheres to the best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding citation manipulation. We define citation manipulation as the inclusion of references that do not contribute to the scholarly content of the article and are added solely to increase citation counts for personal gain. This includes excessive self-citation, excessive citation to the journal publishing the article, and coordinated excessive citation between journals. Such practices violate publication ethics and are strictly prohibited.

Authors must ensure that all citations are relevant and contribute meaningfully to their work. Legitimate self-citations that address valid academic needs are acceptable. However, any form of manipulative citation will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript and may lead to further penalties, such as reporting to the authors' institutions or relevant authorities. The journal reserves the right to take appropriate action to uphold the integrity of the academic record. For more details, you can check their recommendations here: https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.3.1

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Retraction and Correction Policy

Our journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity. We recognize that errors, oversights, or misconduct can compromise the accuracy of the academic record. This policy outlines the procedures for addressing flawed, fraudulent, or otherwise compromised publications, ensuring transparency and trust in the scientific record. An article may be considered for retraction if:

  1. Evidence of Fraud or Misconduct: Data fabrication, data falsification, plagiarism, unethical research practices, or other forms of misconduct are discovered.
  2. Serious Errors: Errors in methodology or results that significantly undermine the reliability or validity of the research findings.
  3. Duplicate Publication: If the article has been published elsewhere without proper authorization or disclosure.
  4. Breach of Ethical Standards: Violation of ethical guidelines, including issues related to consent, confidentiality, or conflicts of interest that invalidate the research.

Retraction Process:

  1. Investigation Initiation
    • Investigations may be triggered by authors, readers, reviewers, editorial board members, or other concerned parties who provide credible evidence of misconduct or major errors.
    • The Editor-in-Chief (or an appointed committee) will perform an initial review of the complaint or evidence.
  2. Inquiry and Evaluation
    • The Editorial Office requests any necessary documentation from the authors, reviewers, or relevant institutions.
    • The Editor-in-Chief consults with subject matter experts or members of the Editorial Board for an unbiased evaluation of the evidence.
  3. Decision and Communication
    • If the investigation confirms misconduct or major flaws, the Editor-in-Chief will decide to retract the article, possibly in consultation with the Editorial Board.
    • A written notice outlining the findings and the decision is sent to all involved authors, giving them an opportunity to respond or appeal within 14 days.

Retraction Notice:

The retraction notice will clearly state the reason for the retraction (e.g., data falsification, major errors) and reference the original article. It will be written to avoid defamatory or accusatory language, focusing on factual statements. The retraction notice will:

    • Appear in the next available issue and on the journal’s website.
    • Be prominently linked to the retracted article (PDF and HTML versions).
    • Clearly mark the article as “Retracted” in all publicly accessible places where the article metadata is displayed.

Corrections and Errata:

  1. Minor Corrections (Errata)
    • If an error does not compromise the overall findings or interpretations (e.g., minor typographical errors, mislabeled figures), the journal will publish a Correction or Erratum.
    • The Correction will be linked to the original article and be clearly labeled.
  2. Major Corrections
    • If errors significantly affect specific parts of the article but do not invalidate the entire research, a Corrigendum may be issued. This corrigendum will include a detailed explanation of the corrections and how they affect the research conclusions.

Expression of Concern:

If a significant allegation of research misconduct or a major error comes to light but conclusive evidence is not yet available (e.g., ongoing institutional investigation), the journal may publish an Expression of Concern. This serves to:

    • Alert readers of a potential issue with the article.
    • Indicate that an official investigation is underway.

Once the investigation concludes, the Expression of Concern may be replaced with a Retraction Notice or a Correction, depending on the outcome.

Article Removal:

In rare instances (e.g., legal infringement, defamation, extremely high risk of harm if the information remains accessible), the journal may remove the article’s text from the online platform. A statement will be published in its place explaining the reason for the removal, in line with best ethical practices and applicable legal requirements.

Follow-up and Indexing

-We will promptly communicate retractions or corrections to indexing databases so that all records accurately reflect the article’s status.

-Retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern remain part of the permanent publication record to maintain transparency.

-Any editorial board member with a conflict of interest regarding a suspected article will recuse themselves from the investigation. Authors have the right to appeal retraction decisions. Appeals must be submitted in writing, detailing specific reasons and additional evidence. The Editorial Office will re-evaluate the case with impartial advisors.

Note: Our retraction policy follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) recommendations and guidelines.

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Post-publication Discussions

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs encourages discussion and debates regarding its published articles through letters to the editor or on an external moderated platform such as PubPeer. PubPeer is a platform that facilitates the evaluation and discussion of scientific research after it has been published. The journal follows the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding post-publication discussions and corrections.

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CrossMark Policy

For details on the journal's CrossMark Policy, please visit the following link: https://ijcua.com/ijcua/crossMark_policy

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Access, Licensing, and Archiving

Open Access Policy

This is an open-access journal which means that all contents are freely available without any cost to the users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the authors.

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Repository Policy

For details on the journal's Repository Policy, please visit the following link: https://ijcua.com/ijcua/repository-policy

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Self-archiving policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs allows authors to self-archive their submitted, accepted, and published versions of their articles without embargo. Authors may deposit their work in institutional repositories, personal websites, academic social networks (e.g., ResearchGate, Academia.edu), and departmental websites at any time. The final published version (Version of Record) must include a full citation and a link to the original article on the journal’s website. This policy is registered in SHERPA/RoMEO and ensures compliance with open-access standards, enabling wider dissemination of research while maintaining proper attribution to the journal. For more information, please see Repository Policy

 

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Archiving Digital Version

For details on the journal's Archiving Digital Version policy, please visit the following link:

https://www.ijcua.com/ijcua/Digitalarchive

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Article Processing Charge

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs does not impose any fees on authors or any third party for publication. Both manuscript submission and article publishing services are free of charge and there are no hidden costs.

-There are no Article Submission Charges (ASCs) in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs.

-There are no membership fees in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs.

-There are no language editing fees in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs.

-The authors are not charged for including coloured photos or extra pages in their papers.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs assigns a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to each article that successfully passes the initial screening and reaches the production stage. DOIs ensure permanent accessibility, citation tracking, and seamless integration into academic databases, enhancing the visibility and credibility of published research. All assigned DOIs are registered with CrossRef, allowing authors, researchers, and institutions to reference and retrieve published articles reliably. This policy aligns with international best practices for academic publishing, ensuring long-term digital preservation and accurate citation indexing.

 

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Intellectual Property and Copyright

Policies on Intellectual Property

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is an open-access journal operating under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. This license grants unrestricted access to published materials, allowing users to share, distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the content for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and source. We follow COPE's guidelines on intellectual property

 

Copyright

Authors retain the copyright and full publishing rights for their published articles (including all versions such as PDFs, HTML, and XML) without any restrictions. They grant the publisher non-exclusive rights to publish their articles, to be cited as the original publisher in case of reuse, and to distribute the content in all forms and media.

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Licensing

All articles and other scholarly works published in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. You are free to:

  1. Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
  2. Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Key Principles:

Attribution Required: Users are welcome to copy, share, modify, and build upon the journal’s content, as long as they provide appropriate credit. This should include the original author(s), the journal name (Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs), the article’s title, and a link to the article’s official version.

No Additional Restrictions: No permissions beyond proper attribution are necessary. Users must not impose legal or technological barriers that would limit others from making similar use of the content.

Open Access Format: Adopting a CC BY 4.0 license ensures that all content published in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs remains openly accessible. This approach broadens the reach of scholarship, promotes knowledge exchange, and supports interdisciplinary dialogue.

Author Rights and Long-Term Availability: Authors retain full copyright of their work. By publishing in the journal, they grant non-exclusive, worldwide, and perpetual rights for others to use the content under CC BY 4.0. This guarantees ongoing availability, encourages scholarly collaboration, and fosters continuous advancement of the field.

 

Note: The licensor cannot revoke above mention freedoms as long as you follow the license terms which is stated in  the following link:  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Ownership

Alanya University is the sole owner of the Journal Of Contemporary Urban Affairs.

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Administration and Transparency

Investigations and Complaints Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is committed to maintaining research integrity and adheres to COPE guidelines for addressing ethical concerns, research misconduct, and formal complaints.

  1. Reporting Ethical Concerns and Allegations

Any concerns regarding ethical violations, research misconduct, or breaches of publication ethics should be reported to the editorial office of the journal. Reports can be submitted anonymously through secure services like ProtonMail or TorGuard. The journal may request raw data, images, or supporting documentation from authors, seek expert editorial advice, or contact relevant institutions to conduct investigations.

  1. Complaint Handling Process

The journal takes all complaints seriously and follows a structured process to investigate and resolve issues fairly and transparently. We maintain records of the following types of complaints:

  • Authorship disputes
  • Plagiarism and duplicate publication
  • Misappropriation of research results
  • Research errors and fraudulent data
  • Violations of research ethics and standards
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Complaints should be submitted via email to editor@ijcua.com with full details. The journal will investigate each case thoroughly and notify the complainant of the final decision. If necessary, further actions—such as retraction, correction, or institutional reporting—will be taken to uphold academic integrity. For more information, see Allegations of Misconduct.

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Privacy Statement

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. Any personal details you provide to us, such as your name and email address, will be kept confidential and used solely for the intended purposes of this journal. We assure you that any information collected will be handled in accordance with this privacy statement.

Manuscripts submitted for peer review are treated as confidential. The editor and editorial staff will not disclose submitted manuscripts to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, or other editorial advisers as necessary. Editors and reviewers are prohibited from using any materials submitted without the authors' explicit permission.

Your privacy is important to us, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your information remains secure. We do not share personal information with third parties and take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure. If you have any questions about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at: editor@ijcua.com

 

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Journal’s Revenue Sources

The Alanya University Rectorate is the sole source of funding for the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs. There are no additional revenue sources for this journal.

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General Repositories

If subject-specific or institutional/funder repositories are unavailable, authors can use general repositories to share their data such as:

Repository Name

Information on costs

URL

- Dryad Digital Repository

Fees apply

Visit the  website

- Figshare

Fees apply

Visit the website

-Harvard Dataverse

Contact repository for datasets over 1 TB

Visit the website

Open Science Framework

Free of charge

Visit the website

Science Data Bank

Free of charge

Visit the website

Zenodo

Donations towards sustainability encouraged

Visit the  website

Our journal follows COPE's guidelines on "data sharing and reproducibility". For more information in this regard please see: https://publicationethics.org/data 

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ORCID Number

The journal strongly suggests that all authors submitting a paper obtain an Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID) account. ORCID registration provides a unique and permanent digital identifier for the author, which enhances the discoverability of their published work and ensures that proper credit is given to the correct author. The ORCID remains unchanged, even if the author's name, affiliation, or research field changes, ensuring that their past work remains easily discoverable and making it easier to correspond with colleagues. The journal strongly encourages the corresponding authors to include their ORCID in their submission information and suggests that co-authors do the same. The ORCID should be included in the author's information at the time of submission, and if the paper is accepted, it will be published along with the submission.

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Disclaimer

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs makes every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in its publications. However, all content is provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis for general informational purposes only. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:
-The Journal, its agents, and licensors make no representations or warranties of any kind (express or implied) regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in its publications.
-The opinions expressed in any published work are solely those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Journal. Each author remains fully responsible for the legal and moral content of their work. The Journal does not assume liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or legal disputes arising from an author’s content.
-Under no circumstances shall the Journal, its agents, or licensors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages—such as loss of data, financial losses, or claims of defamation—stemming from the use or inability to use any information published by the Journal.

-The Journal accepts no responsibility for the content or reliability of external websites referenced in its publications. Any link or reference to a third party does not imply an endorsement or guarantee of that third party’s services, information, or opinions.

-Nothing in this disclaimer is intended to exclude or limit liability for any matter in a way that contravenes applicable law. Any disputes arising from the content or use of the Journal’s publications shall be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where the Journal is registered, and the parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of its courts.
-No information provided by the Journal should be interpreted as professional, legal, or other specialized advice. Readers are advised to seek independent professional consultation before acting on any information found within the Journal’s publications.

By accessing and using the Journal’s publications, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this disclaimer. If you do not agree with any part of this disclaimer, please refrain from using or relying upon the Journal’s content.

Note: The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs and its publisher and editorial board follow the guidelines set by COPE in handling any accusations.

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Duties

Duties of Editors

Our journal follows COPE's guidelines on the "Code of conduct for journal editors". For more information in this regard please see: https://publicationethics.org/files/Code_of_conduct_for_journal_editors_Mar11.pdf

Types of conflicts of interest for editors are:The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs recognizes and takes into consideration the following potential sources of conflict when evaluating and publishing articles: personal conflicts, financial conflicts, non-financial conflicts, submission by an editor, submission from the same institution, personal relationships, political or religious beliefs, submission by a family member of the editor(s), or by an author whose relationship with the editor(s) may give rise to the appearance of bias. Our publisher and editors are committed to publishing corrections, clarifications, retractions, and apologies as necessary.

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Duties of Authors

The term "authorship" can refer to either the originator of an idea, such as the person who created the theory of relativity, or the individuals responsible for executing and disseminating intellectual or creative works. To address this, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) offers crucial resources for authors, policy guidance for editors, clarification on the scope of submission guidelines, tools for resolving pre- and post-publication authorship disputes, and guidance for institutions to maintain and support the integrity of authorship. Our journal follows COPE's guidelines on authorship. For additional information, please refer to COPE's Discussion Document on Authorship.  

Authors submitting to Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs must ensure that:

  • Originality: The work is entirely original and has not been published or submitted elsewhere.
  • Exclusive Submission: The manuscript is not under review with any other journal or publication.
  • Significant Contribution: All listed authors have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research.
  • Approval of Submission: All authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and consent to its submission.
  • Ethical Compliance: The research complies with all relevant ethical guidelines, and necessary approvals have been obtained.

Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship but have provided support—such as technical assistance, writing support, or general supervision—should be acknowledged in the "Acknowledgments" section with their permission. We require transparency in disclosing each contributor's role and any potential conflicts of interest. Omission of significant contributors or inclusion of individuals who did not contribute ("guest" authorship) may result in rejection or retraction, in accordance with our ethical guidelines and the standards set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

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Duties of Reviewers

At the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, our reviewers play a pivotal role in preserving the quality and integrity of published research. To maintain high ethical standards, all reviewers must follow the guidelines set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Below are the core responsibilities expected of our reviewers:

Use of AI Tools

  • The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs currently prohibits the use of Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies (e.g., ChatGPT) for peer review to safeguard authors’ rights and maintain the confidentiality of their research.

Timeliness and Objectivity

  • Complete assessments within the agreed timeframe.
  • Offer unbiased feedback supported by clear arguments and evidence.
  • Avoid personal criticism of the author; focus instead on the manuscript’s content, merits, and relevance.

Ethical Conduct and Confidentiality

  • Treat all manuscripts and associated information as strictly confidential.
  • Refrain from sharing or using any unpublished data without the authors’ explicit written consent.
  • Respect authors’ rights and ensure the confidentiality of their research.

Conflict of Interest

  • Disclose any conflicts of interest—whether related to the research, the authors, or funding sources—to the Editor as soon as they arise.
  • If you feel unqualified or unable to provide a timely review, promptly notify the Editor.

Citation Practices

  • Do not suggest citations of your own work, that of close colleagues, or any specific journal unless it is genuinely necessary to strengthen the manuscript.

Compliance and Originality

  • Evaluate the manuscript’s alignment with the journal’s scope, the significance of the research question, the appropriateness of the methods, and the originality of the findings.
  • Identify relevant but uncited published work and inform the Editor of any substantial overlap or suspected parallel submissions in other publications.

Adherence to COPE Guidelines

  • Bring any suspected ethical violations—such as plagiarism or duplicate submission—to the Editor’s attention immediately.

For more information please see » Guidelines for Reviewers

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Duties of the Publisher

The publisher is dedicated to ensuring the long-term accessibility and preservation of scholarly research and accomplishes this through partnerships with organizations and the maintenance of its own digital archive. The publisher upholds its commitment to independent editorial decision-making and takes full responsibility for protecting against scientific abuse, fraud, and plagiarism. In instances of suspected or confirmed scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication, or plagiarism, the publisher will work closely with the editors to take appropriate action, including publishing an erratum, clarification, or, in the most extreme cases, retracting the affected work.  

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The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs publication ethics and malpractice statement has been written in accordance with COPE general guidelines http://publicationethics.org/