Publication Process & Ethics

Publication process

All manuscripts submitted to the Polish Space Journal undergo a rigorous editorial and peer-review process designed to ensure the highest standards of academic quality and integrity.

  1. Editorial Assessment
    Upon submission, each manuscript is first reviewed by the editorial team to assess its relevance, originality, and compliance with the journal’s scope and formatting requirements. If necessary, the editors may consult members of the Scientific Committee for additional expert opinions at this stage.
  2. Peer Review Process
    Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are subject to double-blind peer review. Each article is reviewed by two independent experts in the relevant field, neither of whom is aware of the authors’ identities.
  3. Review Outcomes
    Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, the editorial decision may be as follows:
  • Accepted for publication
  • Accepted with minor revisions
  • Accepted with major revisions, subject to a second round of peer review
  • Rejected

In the event of one positive and one negative review, the manuscript is submitted to a third reviewer, whose evaluation determines the final outcome.

  1. Reviewer Disclosure
    While individual reviewer identities remain confidential, a list of all reviewers who contributed to a given volume is published collectively in that issue.

The Polish Space Journal is committed to a transparent and fair review process, maintaining the academic integrity of all published work.

Ethics

The Polish Space Journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures to prevent any form of academic misconduct. The journal adheres to the principles and guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The following statement outlines the ethical expectations for editors, authors, reviewers, and the publisher.

1. Responsibilities of the Editorial Board

The editorial board is responsible for ensuring the integrity, objectivity, and quality of the editorial process. Editors shall:

  • Evaluate submitted manuscripts exclusively on the basis of their academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope, without regard to the authors’ race, gender, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.
  • Ensure confidentiality throughout the editorial and peer-review process, disclosing manuscript content only to those involved in the review and publication process.
  • Act decisively in the event of suspected ethical violations, including plagiarism, fraudulent data, or other forms of misconduct, in accordance with COPE procedures.
  • Avoid any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which such conflicts exist.
  • Publish clear guidelines regarding the editorial process, authorship criteria, and peer-review procedures.
2. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Polish Space Journal are expected to adhere to the following ethical principles:

  • Submit only original works that have not been previously published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
  • Appropriately acknowledge all sources and cite relevant literature; any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.
  • Ensure that all data presented in the manuscript are accurate and reliable; fabrication or falsification of results constitutes scientific misconduct.
  • Clearly identify all individuals who contributed significantly to the research and ensure that all listed authors have approved the final version of the manuscript.
  • Disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be viewed as potential conflicts of interest.
  • Promptly inform the editorial board of any errors discovered post-publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.
3. Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the scholarly quality of the journal. Reviewers are expected to:

  • Conduct objective, constructive, and timely evaluations of submitted manuscripts based solely on scientific merit.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and refrain from discussing or disclosing any aspect of the manuscript to unauthorized individuals.
  • Declare any conflicts of interest that could affect the impartiality of their review.
  • Alert the editorial board to any significant similarity between the manuscript under review and other published works.
4. Responsibilities of the Publisher

The Polish Space Journal is published by the Polish Space Industry Foundation, which supports the editorial team in maintaining ethical standards and ensures:

  • The proper management of the journal and its content.
  • The preservation of the academic record and the publication of necessary corrections, clarifications, and retractions.
  • Full transparency in all journal operations, including open access policies and editorial independence.

This statement is reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with evolving ethical standards in academic publishing.