The Fundación Universitaria Española publishing house is committed to the ethical principles of scientific and editorial activity, in accordance with the standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Code of Conduct. Each author declares responsibility for the content and its originality, and accepts the associated ethical obligations. If necessary, a declaration of conflict of interest may be submitted.

AUTHORS’ DUTIES

Compliance with quality standards: Authors are responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions to partially reproduce material (text, tables, or figures) from other publications and for properly citing its source. The opinions expressed in published articles are the responsibility of the authors. The manuscript must include detailed references that allow other authors to replicate the research and verify the results.

Originality, plagiarism, and sources: Manuscripts must be original works, and relevant references should be made to the work of other authors through appropriate citations. Authors must also cite and acknowledge those works that were essential in shaping the nature and objectives of their own study.

Multiple publication: Manuscripts that have already been published or are under review by other publishers must not be submitted. In case of conflict, the Editorial Board will be obliged to inform the institutions involved.

Respect for publication and distribution rights: Authors agree not to publish, distribute, or make their work available, in whole or in part, through open-access platforms or other digital means once it has been published by the publisher, unless expressly authorized in writing. This commitment ensures respect for the exploitation rights acquired by the publisher and helps sustain the editorial model.

Acceptance of editorial decisions: If external reviews advise against publication, the author must accept that the manuscript has been rejected. Preliminary acceptance by the editors will not be final if experts advise otherwise.

Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, development, or interpretation of the work. All individuals who have contributed in this way must be listed as co-authors.

Gender equality: In the case of joint contributions, the order of authorship shall reflect the level of contribution. The author who made the most significant contribution will be listed first, regardless of gender. In any case, authors must ensure that their contributions respect principles of equality and avoid any form of discrimination.

Funding disclosure: In a footnote at the beginning of the manuscript, authors must declare any sources of funding for their work, if applicable.

Copyright transfer: Authors transfer the rights to publish their work to the Fundación Universitaria Española.

EDITORS’ DUTIES

Publication decisions: Editors are responsible for the final decision regarding the publication of manuscripts received by the publisher. Submissions will be evaluated impartially, without regard to the authors’ gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, nationality, or political views. The decision to publish a manuscript will be based on the its significance, originality, clarity, the validity of the study, and its relevance to the aims of the publisher. All works must comply with legal requirements concerning the protection of the reputation of individuals and institutions, copyright laws, and anti-plagiarism regulations.

Confidentiality: Editors and members of the editorial boards must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to anyone not directly involved in the publication process, and only as required for the fulfillment of their duties.

Equality: Editors are committed to promoting gender equality in the participation of researchers in the governing and management bodies of the publishing house. Furthermore, when giving preliminary approval to manuscripts for publication, the Editorial Board will take these principles into consideration.

Conflict of interest: Unpublished materials submitted to the publisher may not be used by editors for their own research.

REVIEWERS’ DUTIES

Compliance with editorial decisions: The purpose of expert review of submitted manuscripts is to assist editors in selecting manuscripts for publication and to help ensure the overall quality of the publishing process.

Meeting deadlines: Any expert selected to review a manuscript who feels unqualified or unable to meet the deadline should promptly inform the editors.

Confidentiality: Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be used or discussed publicly.

Gender equality: Reviewers should indicate in their reports if they detect any form of discrimination in the treatment of content or in the author’s positioning. If the manuscript promotes inequality, this may be grounds for rejection.

Objectivity and thoroughness: Reviewers must carry out their evaluations objectively and constructively. All comments should be clear, well-founded, and aimed at improving the manuscript. Reviewers should point out any relevant published works not cited in the manuscript, so that the author can include them. They should also note any statements or data that require citation of sources. For the sake of academic rigor, reviewers must notify the editors of any substantial overlap or similarity between the manuscript and other previously published works.

Conflict of interest: Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript’s content, including refraining from using it in their own research. They should not review manuscripts with which they have a personal or competitive conflict of interest.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

The Fundación Universitaria Española will address any complaint concerning its authors, editors, or reviewers. Complaints should be sent to coordinacion@fuesp.com. All communications will be reviewed, verified, and responded to as promptly as possible. The editorial decision will be communicated to the parties involved.