Ethics & Malpractice

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement (PEMS)

Lingua Montenegrina
Official Journal of the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature – Cetinje
ISSN (Print): 1800-7007 | ISSN (Online): 2704-5277

Introduction

Lingua Montenegrina is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal published biannually by the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature – Cetinje. Since its founding in 2008, the journal has been committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, integrity, and transparency.

This statement follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Law on Academic Integrity of Montenegro, the Law on Copyright and Related Rights of Montenegro, and recognized international standards in scholarly publishing.

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Editorial Independence – Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit (originality, clarity, relevance, and contribution), without regard to authors’ personal characteristics or affiliations.
  • Confidentiality – All manuscripts are handled as confidential documents. Information is shared only with those involved in the editorial process.
  • Conflicts of Interest – Editors withdraw from processing a manuscript where conflicts of interest exist. The manuscript is reassigned to another editor.
  • Editorial Integrity – Decisions are made objectively, free from political, institutional, or commercial influence.

Peer Review Process

  • Double-Blind Review – All submissions are reviewed by at least two independent experts. Identities of authors and reviewers remain anonymous.
  • Reviewer Standards – Reviews must be objective, constructive, and respectful, focusing on originality, methodological rigor, clarity, ethical compliance, and relevance.
  • Confidentiality – Reviewers must not share, copy, or use unpublished materials.
  • Reporting Misconduct – Reviewers are obliged to alert editors to suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or other ethical breaches.
  • Turnaround – Standard review time is up to 60 days.

Author Responsibilities

  • Originality and Plagiarism – Authors must submit original work. All manuscripts are screened with iThenticate or equivalent software. Plagiarism results in rejection or retraction.
  • Authorship Criteria – Only those who significantly contributed to research or writing may be listed as authors. “Guest” or “ghost” authorship is prohibited.
  • Conflicts of Interest – All financial or personal interests that may influence research must be declared.
  • Multiple or Redundant Submissions – Submissions must not have been previously published or under review elsewhere.
  • Research Ethics – Research involving humans or animals must have prior approval by an appropriate ethics committee. Informed consent is required when applicable.
  • Funding Disclosure – Authors must acknowledge all sources of financial support.
  • Data Availability – Authors should retain underlying data and provide access upon request for verification.
  • AI Tools – Authors must disclose any use of AI in manuscript preparation. AI tools cannot be credited as authors and must not replace critical intellectual contributions.

Misconduct, Corrections, and Retractions

  • Definition of Misconduct – Includes but is not limited to: plagiarism, data fabrication/falsification, duplicate publication, inappropriate authorship, undisclosed conflicts of interest.
  • Editorial Actions – In confirmed cases, the journal may:
    • Reject or retract the article,
    • Inform the author’s institution,
    • Ban future submissions,
    • Publish a notice of violation.
  • Corrections and Retractions –
    • Erratum: Minor errors not affecting conclusions,
    • Corrigendum: Major author-identified corrections,
    • Retraction: For severe ethical breaches,
    • Expression of Concern: Pending investigation.
      Retractions are clearly labeled and remain publicly accessible for transparency.

Copyright and Licensing

  • Authors retain copyright of their work.
  • Upon acceptance, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute.
  • Articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
  • Users may share, adapt, and redistribute content with proper citation.
  • Copyright protection also applies under the Law on Copyright and Related Rights of Montenegro.

Open Access Policy

Lingua Montenegrina is a Diamond Open Access journal:

  • No submission or publication charges,
  • No embargo period,
  • Immediate, free, and permanent access for all readers.

Archiving and Digital Preservation

The journal ensures long-term digital preservation through:

  • Institutional repository of the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature,
  • National digital archives of Montenegro,
  • COBISS (Montenegro) integration for bibliographic visibility.
  • Crossref DOI registration (prefix: 10.46584) for permanent identification and citation.
  • Registration in international preservation networks (LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, PKP PN – in progress).

Legal and Institutional Compliance

The journal adheres to:

  • Law on Academic Integrity of Montenegro,
  • Law on Copyright and Related Rights of Montenegro,
  • COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines,
  • DOAJ Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.

Review and Updates

This statement is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with evolving international standards, COPE updates, and legal frameworks.

Contact

For inquiries on publication ethics, misconduct, or corrections, please contact:
Editor-in-Chief: Doc. dr Milan Marković
Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature – Cetinje
Email: lingua.montenegrina@fcjk.me
Website: https://www.fcjk.me

Resources and Standards