Ediitorial Policy

Editorial Policy and Ethical Standards

The International Conference on Catholic Heritage in Georgia brings together scholars working on the historical, theological, cultural, artistic, and social dimensions of Catholic presence and influence in Georgia. Because the subject intersects religious history, intercultural dialogue, archival research, and heritage studies, the conference recognizes its particular responsibility to uphold the highest standards of scholarly integrity, sensitivity, and academic rigor.

Conference editorial policy is rooted in transparency, fairness, and respect for intellectual diversity. The Conference does not serve ideological, confessional, or institutional agendas; rather, it provides an academic platform for critical and evidence-based research. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Scientific Committee and are guided exclusively by scholarly merit, originality, methodological soundness, and relevance to the conference theme.

Scholarly Responsibility and Authorship

Research presented at the conference often draws upon archival materials, ecclesiastical records, oral histories, and heritage documentation. For this reason, authors are expected to demonstrate clear source transparency and responsible interpretation of historical and cultural evidence.

Authorship reflects a genuine scholarly contribution. All listed authors must have substantially contributed to the research and writing process and must accept responsibility for the content. The Conference does not tolerate honorary or undisclosed authorship practices.

Peer Review Process

All submitted papers undergo a double-blind peer review process conducted by specialists in relevant disciplines. Review is understood not merely as an evaluative mechanism but as a form of scholarly dialogue aimed at strengthening the academic quality of contributions.

Reviewers are selected for subject expertise and are required to disclose any conflicts of interest. Confidentiality is strictly maintained throughout the review process. Final decisions are made by the Editorial Board after careful consideration of reviewers’ reports.

Ethical Conduct in Research

Given the thematic focus on religious heritage, manuscripts may involve sensitive cultural materials or community narratives. Authors must ensure that:

• Archival materials are properly cited and used in accordance with legal and institutional regulations;

• Research involving living individuals complies with ethical standards, including informed consent where required.

• Interpretations are grounded in verifiable evidence rather than conjecture.

Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, and citation manipulation constitute serious violations of academic ethics and will result in rejection or withdrawal of the submission. Allegations of misconduct are investigated carefully and confidentially, and appropriate corrective action will be taken when necessary.

Conflicts of Interest

Because research in religious and heritage studies may intersect with institutional affiliations, authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any relationships—financial, institutional, or personal—that could influence scholarly judgment. Transparency safeguards both the credibility of the research and the integrity of the conference.

Data Transparency and Reproducibility

Authors are encouraged to provide sufficient methodological detail to allow scholarly verification of their research. When possible, references to archival collections, manuscript numbers, digital repositories, or datasets should be clearly identified. Where legal or ethical restrictions prevent public data sharing, such limitations must be explained.

Protection of the Scholarly Record

The Conference is committed to preserving the integrity of its published proceedings. If significant errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the Conference may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions. Such notices will remain permanently associated with the original publication to ensure transparency.

Academic Dialogue After Publication

The Conference welcomes reasoned scholarly discussion following publication. Constructive critique and academic exchange are considered part of responsible scholarship and may be reflected in subsequent publications or official responses.

Commitment to International Standards

The conference's editorial and ethical framework reflects internationally recognized principles of transparency and best practices in scholarly publishing. These standards ensure that the conference proceedings meet the expectations of global academic indexing and evaluation systems.

The editor and the editorial committee members review each paper. If
The article meets the conference's aim and carries the scientific depth and value; it will be sent for review for the Proceedings. 
Manuscript Assessment Criteria:
Structure of the article: Acceptable/Needs improvement;
Keeping the rules of citation: Acceptable/Needs improvement
 Methodological justification and argumentation; Acceptable/Needs improvement;
 News and Contributions in the relevant field; Acceptable/Needs improvement;
Theoretical and practical results of the research. Acceptable/Needs improvement;