Publishing Policies
1. Open Access Policy
Open Access Commitment
All journals published by Chun Cheng Publisher (CCP) follow a full open access model. This implies the following:
- All articles are freely and permanently available online from the moment of publication.
- There are no subscription fees, no access barriers, and no registration requirements for readers.
This approach supports global sharing of knowledge and allows every researcher, educator, and reader to benefit from the latest discoveries without limitation.
Licensing and Reuse
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0) unless stated otherwise. This licence permits anyone to read, share, copy, distribute, adapt, translate, or build upon the work for any purpose, including commercial reuse. Examples of permitted commercial applications include incorporation into textbooks, professional training materials, policy reports, educational resources, and other industry-related projects.
Users must provide appropriate credit to the original author and source, include a link to the CC BY 4.0 licence, and indicate if any changes were made. The integrity of the scholarly work should be preserved when reused or adapted.
Full licence details are available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Author Copyright and Rights
Authors retain full copyright ownership of their published work.
Upon acceptance, authors grant CCP a permission to publish and distribute the final version of the article. Authors are free to reuse, share, or archive their work in any repository, institutional platform, or public database without restrictions.
Authors are fully responsible for ensuring that any third-party content included in their manuscript, such as images, figures, datasets, or copyrighted text, has obtained the necessary permissions from the original copyright holder. By submitting the manuscript, authors confirm that all such permissions have been secured and properly acknowledged in the article.
Long Term Preservation and Discoverability
Every article published by the CCP receives a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure permanent access.
The publisher is committed to long-term preservation through participation in recognized archiving programs such as the PKP Preservation Network (PN).
Metadata are registered with Crossref and other indexing services to enhance discoverability and citation.
Funder and Institutional Compliance
The open access model and CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license comply with the policies of most research funders and institutions.
Authors are responsible for checking their own funding requirements and ensuring that all necessary information, including grant numbers and funding acknowledgments, is included in their article.
The editorial office can assist authors with documentation for compliance if required.
Equity and Global Access
CCP is committed to research equality and inclusion.
Open access helps remove barriers for authors and readers in every region of the world.
We aim to support researchers from developing regions and promote fair access to scientific knowledge.
This principle aligns with the company’s mission to bridge research, policy, and practice through shared learning and collaboration.
Policy Review and Updates
The Open Access Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with best practices in academic publishing and open science. Those who are unfamiliar with open access may find the following websites helpful for further understanding: https://open-access.network/en/information/open-access-primers/what-does-open-access-mean.
Any updates will be posted publicly on the CCP website, and such changes will not affect rights that have already been granted to published articles.
2. Editorial Process
Rigorous, Transparent, and Inclusive
Chun Cheng Publisher Sdn. Bhd. (CCP) operates a transparent and rigorous editorial process led by active researchers and scholars. Our goal is to ensure that peer review is efficient, fair, and focused on improving the quality and clarity of every article. Each journal is managed by an independent editorial board under the guidance of an Editor-in-Chief, who oversees academic standards, reviewer selection, and acceptance decisions.
A simplified overview of the editorial process is described below.
Pre-Check
Every submission undergoes a preliminary assessment before peer review.
This stage includes:
- A technical check by the editorial office to confirm that the manuscript fits the journal scope, follows ethical and formatting standards, and passes a similarity screening.
- An editorial check by the assigned editor to confirm scientific soundness, relevance, and research quality.
Editors may recommend minor corrections before review, invite peer review directly, or decline submissions that do not meet the journal’s standards.
All checks are handled objectively and confidentially.
Peer Review
Once a manuscript passes the pre-check, it is sent for double-blind peer review (both authors and reviewers remain anonymous). At least two external-independent reviewers with expertise in the subject area evaluate the submission. They assess originality, validity of methods, ethical compliance, and contribution to the field.
Authors may suggest reviewers or request exclusions, and editors ensure that all reviewers are free from conflicts of interest. Reviewers are normally given two weeks to complete their reports.
Open Communication and Transparency
CCP’s journals encourage constructive dialogue between editors, reviewers, and authors. Review comments and editorial feedback aim to help authors strengthen their work. While all reviews remain confidential, journals may explore optional open review models in future to promote transparency and accountability.
Revision and Re-Evaluation
If revision is required, authors receive detailed comments and are invited to submit a revised version together with a response letter explaining all changes. Revised manuscripts are assessed by the handling editor and, when necessary, sent back to reviewers for further evaluation. A maximum of two major revision rounds is normally allowed to maintain efficiency.
Final Editorial Decision
The Editor-in-Chief or a delegated Academic Editor (one of the Editorial Board Members) makes the final decision after peer review. Decisions are based on:
- Quality and clarity of reviewer reports
- Author responses and improvements
- Overall scientific accuracy and contribution
Possible outcomes include: accept submission, revisions required, resubmit for review, resubmit elsewhere, or decline submission. Editorial independence is fully respected, and publisher staff do not make acceptance decisions.
Production and Publication
After acceptance, manuscripts move to the production stage.
This includes professional editing, typesetting, proofreading, and assignment of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). Authors review the proofs before publication. The final version is published online in full open access and becomes immediately available to readers worldwide.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors who wish to appeal a decision may submit a written request explaining their reasons. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief together with an independent editorial advisor. The outcome may confirm the decision, invite further review, or allow resubmission. All appeals are handled fairly and confidentially.
Timeliness
CCP’s journals strive for an efficient workflow. Typical time frames are as follows:
- Pre-check: within 7 days
- Peer review: 3 to 4 weeks
- First decision: within 6 weeks
- Publication after acceptance: within 2 weeks
These targets may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity, but all efforts are made to provide timely communication.
Continuous Improvement
CCP continuously reviews its editorial policies to maintain excellence and fairness. Feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers is welcome to ensure that the process remains transparent, ethical, and aligned with best international practices.
3. Publication Ethics
Commitment to Integrity
Chun Cheng Publisher Sdn. Bhd. (CCP) is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in academic publishing.
All journals follow the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (https://publicationethics.org/) and the best practices in scholarly publishing.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors must submit original work that has not been published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere. Data, analyses, and results must be reported honestly without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation.
All sources must be properly cited, and authors are responsible for obtaining copyright permissions for any reused or third-party materials. Studies involving human participants or animals require formal ethical approval and, where applicable, informed consent. Funding sources and any potential conflicts of interest must be accurately disclosed.
Authorship must reflect substantial scholarly contributions. All listed authors should have meaningfully contributed to the conception or design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript drafting/revision. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that:
- All contributors who meet authorship criteria are included,
- All listed authors have approved the final version of the manuscript, and
- No inappropriate or honorary authorship is added.
Any changes to authorship after submission must be justified and agreed upon by all authors.
Research Involving Humans and Animals
All research involving human participants, human data, or animals must comply with internationally accepted ethical standards. Authors must state the name of the ethics committee that approved the study and include the approval number where applicable. Informed consent must be obtained from all human participants, and humane treatment of animals must follow institutional and national guidelines. Studies that do not include direct human or animal subjects should explicitly state “This study did not involve human participants or animals.”
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors make decisions based only on academic merit and relevance to the journal’s scope. They must ensure fair peer review, maintain confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest. Editors are responsible for taking appropriate action if ethical issues arise, including correction or retraction when necessary.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts objectively and confidentially. They should declare any conflict of interest and avoid using information from the manuscript for personal advantage. Constructive and respectful feedback is expected to help authors improve their work.
Handling of Misconduct
CCP takes all allegations of research or publication misconduct seriously. Any case involving suspected plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, image manipulation, duplicate submission, unethical research practices, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or authorship disputes will be handled according to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) standards (link: https://publicationethics.org/).
When a potential issue is identified, the editorial office will preliminarily assess the evidence and may contact the authors, reviewers, or relevant institutions for clarification. If concerns remain, a formal investigation will be initiated, which may include:
- requesting original data, research materials, or documentation;
- evaluating the extent and impact of the suspected misconduct;
- consulting independent experts or the Editorial Board;
- contacting the authors’ affiliated institution or ethics committee where appropriate.
If misconduct is confirmed, the publisher will take appropriate action depending on the severity, which may include correction, expression of concern, rejection, or retraction of the affected manuscript. Authors will be notified of the decision and given the opportunity to respond.
The publisher may also impose additional measures such as temporarily restricting future submissions from the responsible authors, notifying relevant institutions, or reporting serious violations to governing authorities. All procedures will be conducted confidentially, fairly, and transparently, following COPE’s recommended best practices.
Plagiarism Screening
All submissions are screened using professional similarity detection tools: Crossref Similarity Check (powered by iThenticate) before peer review. Manuscripts with excessive overlap or duplication are returned to authors or rejected.
Corrections and Retractions
If a published article is found to contain significant errors, a correction, expression of concern, or retraction will be issued. All actions are taken transparently to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationships that could influence their judgment. Transparency about potential conflicts helps maintain trust and fairness in publication decisions.
Authorship and Contributions
All listed authors must have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all contributors are appropriately credited and that all listed authors have approved the final version of the manuscript. Any changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and justified to the editorial office.
Transparency and Accountability
CCP values honesty, fairness, and open communication.
All parties involved in the publication process share responsibility for ensuring that every article contributes accurately and ethically to the advancement of knowledge.
4. Indexing and Archiving
Indexing Strategy
Chun Cheng Publisher Sdn. Bhd. (CCP) is committed to increasing the visibility, accessibility, and credibility of all its journals. Each journal is developed to meet the standards required for inclusion in major international databases.
Newly launched journals will first secure registration with Crossref for Digital Object Identifier (DOI) assignment and aim for inclusion in services such as Google Scholar and relevant subject databases. As quality, stability, and citation performance grow, journals will be considered for evaluation by indexing bodies, including the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Scopus, Web of Science, and other recognized services in their respective disciplines.
Indexing status will be clearly stated on each journal page. CCP does not claim or imply indexing that has not been formally granted.
Digital Object Identifiers
All accepted articles are assigned a unique DOI through Crossref. The DOI ensures stable citation, reliable linking, and long-term traceability of the published work across platforms and databases.
Long-Term Preservation
CCP is dedicated to the permanent preservation of its published content.
The publishing platform is designed to support secure storage, regular backup, and participation in trusted preservation services such as the PKP Preservation Network. These services protect the content against data loss and ensure that articles remain accessible even in the event of technical disruption.
Open Access and Repository Deposit
Authors and readers are encouraged to share and store articles in institutional and subject repositories. Because all journals follow an open access model with a Creative Commons Attribution license, the final published version may be deposited, with proper citation and DOI, in university repositories, subject archives, and personal collections. This open deposit culture strengthens the reach and durability of the scholarly record.
Transparency
Up-to-date information on indexing, metrics, and archiving arrangements will be maintained on the publisher’s website and on individual journal pages. The publisher continuously works to align its practices with international standards to support trusted, long-lasting, and widely discoverable scholarship.
5. Advertisement Policy
Chun Cheng Publisher maintains full independence between editorial content and advertisements. Any advertising on the publisher’s platforms must be clearly distinguished from journal content and must not influence editorial decisions. Advertisements related to tobacco, weapons, or any unethical product are strictly prohibited.
6. Disclaimer
The views expressed in published articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chun Cheng Publisher, editors, or reviewers. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or consequences arising from the use of published information.
7. Privacy and Data Protection Policy
Chun Cheng Publisher is committed to protecting the privacy of authors, reviewers, and readers. Personal information collected during submission, review, or publication is used only for legitimate academic and operational purposes. Data are not shared with third parties without consent, except where required by law. All information is stored securely in compliance with applicable data protection regulations.
8. Article Processing Charges (APCs) Policy
All journals under Chun Cheng Publisher (CCP) operate on a full open access model. An Article Processing Charge (APC) is applied to accepted manuscripts to support the cost of publication, editorial management, and long-term preservation. The exact APC amount for each journal will be clearly listed on the respective journal’s website. There are no additional charges for submission, colour figures, or supplementary materials.
Waivers and Discounts
Requests for a waiver or discount may be submitted to the editorial office and will be considered on a case-by-case basis (Waiver Request Form). Priority will be given to authors with limited research funding and to researchers from countries classified as low-income or lower-middle-income economies according to the World Bank (https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519).
All waiver decisions are reviewed and approved by the Editorial Board to ensure fairness and transparency.
Accessibility and Fair Practice
CCP aims to keep APCs fair, sustainable, and accessible to authors worldwide. Our policy prioritizes inclusion and equity, ensuring that financial considerations never influence editorial judgment or the scientific value of published work. All journals under the publisher follow the same ethical approach to maintain open, responsible, and globally accessible research publishing.
9. Article Withdrawal Policy
Authors may request withdrawal of a submitted or accepted manuscript by providing a written explanation to the editorial office. Withdrawals are only permitted before publication and must be justified with valid reasons such as ethical concerns or data errors. Once published, articles cannot be withdrawn but may be retracted according to the Corrections and Retractions policy.
