Submissions

Author Guidelines

Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by an editor to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected.

Before making a submission, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country.

An editor may desk reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission.

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

This submission meets the requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.
This submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.
All references have been checked for accuracy and completeness.
All tables and figures have been numbered and labeled.
Permission has been obtained to publish all photos, datasets and other material provided with this submission.

Articles

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Privacy Statement

Privacy Policy

The Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences (GJNS) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of all its stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This policy explains how GJNS collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data obtained through its editorial and publishing processes.

Our privacy practices align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and uphold Afghan cultural norms and Islamic ethical standards.

1. Scope of the Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all data collected through:
✅ Manuscript submission and peer review processes
✅ Interactions with the GJNS website and submission system
✅ Email and other communications with the editorial office
✅ Participation in GJNS events, surveys, or promotions

2. Data Collection

2.1 Information We Collect

GJNS may collect the following personal information:

Full name, email address, institutional affiliation, ORCID iD (for authors, reviewers, and editors)
Manuscript details (title, abstract, keywords, and associated data)
IP addresses, browser type, and usage logs (when accessing the website)
Professional credentials and conflict of interest declarations (for peer reviewers and editors)

3. Use of Collected Information

✅ 3.1 Purpose of Data Use

Collected data is used to:

Facilitate manuscript submission, peer review, and publication
Communicate with authors, reviewers, and editors during the editorial process
Maintain a secure scholarly record and journal archives
Improve the functionality and user experience of the GJNS website
Fulfill legal and academic obligations

3.2 Prohibited Uses

GJNS does not:

Sell, rent, or share personal data for commercial purposes
Disclose manuscript details to anyone outside the editorial process without consent

4. Data Protection and Confidentiality

4.1 Security Measures

GJNS implements appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect personal data against:
✅ Unauthorized access
✅ Loss or destruction
✅ Alteration or disclosure

4.2 Confidentiality of Manuscripts

All submitted manuscripts are treated as strictly confidential. Editors and reviewers are prohibited from using manuscript content for personal advantage or sharing it with third parties.

5. Sharing of Personal Information

5.1 Limited Disclosure

Personal data may be shared only:

With GJNS editorial staff, reviewers, or publishers directly involved in the publishing process
When legally required by law or regulatory authorities
To investigate ethical misconduct in alignment with COPE guidelines

6. Data Retention Policy

GJNS retains personal data only for as long as necessary to:
✅ Complete the manuscript processing and publication lifecycle
✅ Meet academic, legal, and archival obligations

Authors, reviewers, and editors may request deletion of their personal data post-publication unless retention is required by academic or legal considerations.

7. Cultural and Ethical Considerations

All data handling practices respect Afghan cultural norms and are consistent with Islamic principles regarding privacy, integrity, and intellectual property.

Value Additions Planned for GJNS Privacy Management

✅ Integration of GDPR compliance measures for international contributors
✅ Clearer cookie policy and consent management tools on the GJNS website
✅ Development of an automated data removal request system
✅ Annual Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to evaluate data handling practices

Contact for Privacy Concerns

For inquiries, data access, or deletion requests, please contact:
[Insert official GJNS editorial email]
CC: rpashtoon@hotmail.com
Editorial Office – Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences, Kandahar University

Review and Updates

This Privacy Policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in: