Principles of Publication Ethics

The Principles of Publication Ethics of the journal Slovak Studies (hereinafter referred to as the “Principles”) lay down binding ethical rules that the publisher, authors, and peer reviewers of the journal Slovak Studies (hereinafter referred to as the “journal”) are obliged to observe.

The term “publisher” refers to the Slovak Historical Institute in Rome, or the individual bodies responsible for publishing the journal in accordance with their powers defined in the Statute of the Journal dated 26 January 2026 (hereinafter referred to as the “Statute”). The term “author” refers to a natural person who has expressed an interest in publishing a text they have authored in the journal. The term “reviewer” refers to a natural person who, by agreement with the publisher, draws up a peer review report on a text in the journal.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

Ensures that all texts in the journal comply with the Principles, academic standards, and internationally recognized ethical rules.

Is required to ensure general accessibility to all necessary information related to the journal’s publishing process, in particular that contained in the Statute and Principles.

Is required to rigorously ensure the mutual anonymity of the peer review process.

Acts without bias towards the author when evaluating a text and is obliged to refrain from any manifestations of discrimination.

When necessary, ensures the publication of corrections, apologies, or clarifications in the journal.

Gives due attention to the investigation of any complaints or allegations.

Is responsible for ensuring that all texts published in the journal, with the exception of reviews and brief informational notes, undergo a proper peer review process.

Is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of communication during the production process of the journal and for the protection of personal data in compliance with relevant legal standards.

Author’s Responsibilities

Is required to familiarize themselves with the Principles, Statute, and citation rules, and to adhere to them.

Submits an original text written by themselves that has not been previously published elsewhere. It is unacceptable to submit a contribution that has been offered to another publisher and is currently undergoing the publication process.

May submit a text containing previously published parts, but only if a substantial portion thereof is innovative and the author explicitly draws attention to the fact of partial prior publication and specifies the extent of revision.

May, in exceptional cases where a text is also relevant to the international scientific community, submit a text that has already appeared in Slovak. The author shall notify the publisher of this fact and state it within the text itself.

Bears full responsibility for the content of their text, as well as for the accuracy and truthfulness of the data provided therein.

Is required to fully comply with intellectual property rights and refrain from any forms of plagiarism or any other infringement of third-party rights.

Is required to correctly, accurately, and consistently cite the sources used (including their own published texts) and observe ethical standards regarding the ideas and results of other authors.

Is required to refrain from derogatory or disparaging statements within the text.

Is required to state their institutional affiliation and contact details (address, email).

Reviewer’s Responsibilities

Is required to familiarize themselves with the Principles and Statute, and to adhere to them.

Is required to duly, responsibly, and to the best of their ability draft an objective peer review report and deliver it to the publisher within the agreed deadline.

In the event of being unable to deliver the peer review report within the agreed deadline, is required to notify the publisher and agree on a new deadline, or withdraw from the agreement to prepare the peer review report.

Evaluates the quality, contribution, and originality of the manuscript under review in the peer review report.

Is required to refrain from any derogatory or disparaging comments in the peer review report.

Undertakes not to provide the manuscript of the reviewed text to third parties and to maintain confidentiality regarding its content.

Must not use information obtained during the review process for personal gain.

Has the right to the protection of their intellectual property rights arising from the authorship of the peer review report.

Has the right to guaranteed anonymity vis-a-vis the author.

Acknowledges that the peer review report serves an advisory purpose for the publisher.

Is required to decline to prepare a peer review report if they are in a conflict of interest with regard to the author’s research in the manuscript under review.

Bratislava, 26 January 2026
PhDr. Alena Piatrová, PhD.
Director of the Slovak Historical Institute in Rome