Our Publishing Ethics
Introduction
As a nonprofit publisher dedicated to promoting radical scholarship and democratizing educational access, we adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. Our publishing ethics are based broadly on best practices in the industry, and have been written specifically to maintain trust in our editorial process, support Iskra's dissemination of knowledge, and to foster a respectful and inclusive academic-activist community. The ethical framework enunciated below outlines the responsibilities of Iskra authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher itself, ensuring that all parties engage with integrity, respect, and transparency.
Duties of the Publisher
Guardianship of the Scholarly Record
Iskra Books understands the importance of preserving the scholarly record and commits to supporting the efforts of editors, reviewers, and authors in maintaining the highest standards of research integrity. We play a critical role in upholding ethical practices and ensuring that the scholarly work we publish is reliable, accurate, and free from misconduct. While issues such as plagiarism or falsification of data are rare, we remain vigilant in detecting and addressing any breaches of ethics.
Our role as a publisher goes beyond simply disseminating knowledge. We provide oversight to ensure that all works published under our name contribute to the advancement of radical scholarship in a meaningful and ethical way. We are responsible for correcting, retracting, or clarifying works when necessary, ensuring that the published record remains trustworthy and reflective of the highest standards of scholarship.
Safeguarding Editorial Independence
At Iskra Books, we prioritize editorial independence above all else. No commercial interests, financial gain, or external pressures—such as advertising revenue or sponsorship—will ever influence editorial decisions. Our commitment to scholarly integrity ensures that all decisions related to the selection, review, and publication of manuscripts are based solely on the academic merit and revolutionary value of the work.
Collaboration on Best Practices
We work closely with other publishers, industry associations, and scholars to establish and promote best practices in publishing ethics. Iskra Books is a strong advocate of collaborative ethical standards and follows guidelines from relevant bodies, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to ensure consistency and transparency in our publishing process.
Support for Editors and Reviewers
Iskra Books provides technical and procedural support to editors and reviewers, empowering them to uphold the ethical standards of our publications. We are prepared to offer counsel when needed and actively support editors in maintaining their autonomy when dealing with sensitive or contested issues.
Educational Resources on Publishing Ethics
As part of our commitment to scholarly excellence, we offer extensive resources and training on publishing ethics, particularly for early-career researchers. By educating authors on issues such as plagiarism, data falsification, and ethical research practices, we help foster a culture of integrity and responsibility within radical academic publishing.
Duties of Editors
Publication Decisions
Editors at Iskra Books are responsible for making independent decisions regarding the publication of submitted manuscripts. Their primary criteria for selection are the originality, significance, and academic rigor of the work, as well as its relevance to radical scholarship. In making these decisions, editors may consult with peer reviewers or other editorial board members, but they maintain ultimate authority over the content of the journal or book series they oversee.
Fair Play and Inclusivity
Manuscripts are evaluated solely on their intellectual merit, without consideration of the authors’ ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief, or citizenship. Editors are committed to inclusivity and diversity in their selection of editorial board members and peer reviewers, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives are represented in the editorial process.
Peer Review Integrity
The peer review process at Iskra Books is designed to be fair, unbiased, and timely. Editors are responsible for selecting reviewers who have the appropriate expertise and for ensuring that manuscripts receive a thorough and objective evaluation. The identities of reviewers are kept confidential unless otherwise agreed upon, and editors work diligently to prevent any conflicts of interest from affecting the review process.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
Editors are required to maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts, protecting the privacy of authors and reviewers alike. Editors must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decision-making in cases where such conflicts exist. This includes instances where editors have a personal or financial interest in the outcome of the review process.
Duties of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the work published by Iskra Books. By providing critical feedback and recommendations, reviewers assist editors in making informed decisions about the suitability of manuscripts for publication. Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, unbiased, and timely feedback, ensuring that their assessments are grounded in scholarly rigor.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts reviewed by Iskra Books are confidential documents, and reviewers must respect the confidentiality of the review process. Reviewers should not share or discuss the manuscript with others without permission from the editor and must refrain from using any information obtained during the review process for personal advantage.
Alertness to Ethical Issues
Reviewers are expected to be vigilant in identifying potential ethical concerns in the manuscripts they review. This includes detecting instances of plagiarism, data falsification, or ethical breaches related to research involving human or animal subjects. If ethical issues are suspected, reviewers should immediately notify the editor.
Standards of Objectivity and Conflicts of Interest
Reviews should be conducted with objectivity and without personal bias. Reviewers should be aware of any potential conflicts of interest—whether financial, personal, or professional—that might compromise their impartiality. If such conflicts exist, reviewers must disclose them to the editor and recuse themselves from the review process.
Duties of Authors
Reporting Standards
Authors submitting to Iskra Books are required to provide a truthful and accurate account of their research, presenting their findings clearly and without fabrication, falsification, or manipulation. Manuscripts must include sufficient detail to allow other researchers to replicate the study, where applicable, and must accurately represent the underlying data and methods.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work is original and free from plagiarism. Any use of others’ work must be properly cited, and permission must be obtained where necessary. Plagiarism, in all its forms, constitutes unethical behavior and is unacceptable at Iskra Books.
Multiple or Redundant Publication
Authors should not submit manuscripts that are substantially the same as works already published or under consideration by other publishers. Submitting the same work to multiple journals or publishers simultaneously is considered unethical and will not be tolerated.
Authorship and Acknowledgment of Contributors
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All contributors should be credited appropriately, and all co-authors must approve the final manuscript before submission. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that their work accurately reflects the contributions of all involved.
Data Access and Retention
Authors may be required to provide access to their research data as part of the editorial review process. Authors should be prepared to retain their data for a reasonable period after publication and to provide access to it upon request, in line with the journal’s open-access policies.
Conflicts of Interest and Financial Disclosure
Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that might influence the research or its interpretation. This includes funding sources, professional affiliations, or personal relationships that could be perceived as compromising the objectivity of the work. All funding sources should be acknowledged, and the role of the sponsor (if any) should be clearly stated.