For all parties involved in publishing (Author/Authors, Editor/Editors, Reviewers, Publisher), it is necessary to agree on standards of ethical conduct. The ethical statements regarding Transport Geography Papers of the Polish Geographical Societyare based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

DUTIES OF THE EDITOR

1. Responsibility
   The journal editor is responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published. In addition, he/she is responsible for all articles published in the journal. When taking a decision about publication, he/she may be guided by the journal’s editorial policy and the legal requirements regarding defamation, copyright infringement and plagiarism. When making decisions about publishing an article, the Editor communicates with Subject Editors and Reviewers. The Editorial Office takes care of the accuracy of the documentation and excludes the private interests of the Editorial Board members. In addition, the Editorial Office declares readiness to publish corrections, explanations, withdrawals of scientific texts and apologies, if necessary.
   
   
2. Impartiality
   The Editor evaluates manuscripts for content, irrespective of the Author(s)’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnicity, citizenship or political views. The Editor does not disclose any information about the manuscript under consideration to anyone other than the Author(s), Reviewers, potential reviewers, and in special cases the Editorial Board members.
   
   
3. Confidentiality
   The Editor and the Editorial Office may not disclose any information about the submitted manuscript to anyone other than the relevant Author(s), Reviewers, potential reviewers and the Publisher.
   
   
4. Disclosure of information, conflict of interest and other issues
   The Editor follows the COPE guidelines when considering the withdrawal of articles, expressing concerns about conflicts of interest, and revising articles published in Transport Geography Papers of the Polish Geographical Society.
   
   Unpublished materials contained in the submitted manuscript may not be used for the Editor’s own research without the written consent expressed by the Author(s). Information and ideas obtained through peer review must remain confidential and not be used for personal gain.
   
   The Editor makes an effort to ensure a fair and appropriate review process. The Editor decides not to consider accepting manuscripts in which there are conflicts of interest resulting from competition, cooperation or other relationships between the Author(s) and the Editor (e.g. by asking a Subject Editor or another member of the Editorial Board to review and consider accepting the manuscript).
   
   Editors require all Authors to disclose relevant conflicting interests and publish corrections if any conflicting interests come to light after publication of the manuscript. Other steps are taken as necessary, such as withdrawing a published manuscript or expressing concern in the journal.
   
   
5. Commitment and cooperation in the proceedings
   Editors should guard the integrity of a published article by making corrections and withdrawals, and by tracing suspected and supposed research and publication misconduct. Editors should control Reviewers and prosecute editorial misconduct. In the event of making ethical complaints regarding a submitted manuscript or a published article, the Editor should react appropriately.
   
   

DUTIES OF THE REVIEWER

1. Contribution to editorial decisions
   A review assists the Editor in making editorial decisions, and through editorial communication with the Author(s), it can also help them enhance the manuscript.
   
   
2. Promptness
   Any Reviewer invited to cooperate who feels unqualified to review the research reported in the manuscript or knows that its timely evaluation will be impossible should notify the Editor immediately. This serves to expedite contact with alternative reviewers.
   
   
3. Confidentiality
   Any manuscripts received for review should be treated as confidential documents. They may not be shown and discussed with others, unless the Editor agrees.
   
   
4. Objectivity
   Reviews should be objective. Private criticism of the Author(s) is unacceptable. Reviewers should clearly express their views with appropriate arguments.
   
   
5. Acknowledgment of sources
   One of the Reviewers’ tasks is to identify relevant published papers that have not been indicated as cited by the Authors. Any statement that an argument has previously been published should be accompanied by appropriate citation. The Reviewer should also draw the Editor’s attention to any significant similarities or overlaps in the content of the analysed manuscript with any other published articles of which they know personally.
   
   
6. Conflict of interest
   Information and ideas obtained through in the review process must be kept confidential and must not be used for personal gain. Reviewers should not attempt to evaluate manuscripts in which conflicts of interest may arise from competitive, cooperative, or other relationships or ties with any of the Authors, companies, or institutions related to the submitted manuscript.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE AUTHOR(S)

1. Standards of submitting manuscripts
   Authors reporting the results of original research should provide an accurate description of the conducted work, as well as an objective discussion of its significance. Basic data should be thoroughly discussed in the manuscript. The article should contain sufficient details and references in such a way as to allow others to reproduce the work. False or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behaviour and are unacceptable.
   
   
2. Originality and plagiarism
   Authors should ensure that the submitted papers are completely original, and if Authors have used the work or words of others, this has been cited accordingly.
   
   
3. Multiple, parallel or simultaneous publication
   As a general rule, Author(s) should not publish manuscripts describing the same research in more than one journal or scientific article. Parallel submission of the same manuscript to more than one journal constitutes unethical editorial behaviour and is unacceptable.
   
   
4. Acknowledgment of sources
   One should always acknowledge other works. Authors should also cite publications that contributed to defining the nature of the submitted manuscript.
   
   
5. Authorship of the manuscript
   Authorship should be limited to those persons who have made a significant contribution to the concept, design, execution or interpretation of the reported research. All who have made a significant contribution should be listed as co-authors. Other individuals who have participated in certain merit aspects of the research project should be mentioned in the “Acknowledgements” section. The corresponding Author should ensure that all co-authors (as defined above) are included and that no improper co-authors are on the manuscript authors list, and that all co-authors see and approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to submit it for publication.
   
   
6. Ghost-writing & guest authorship
   • The Editorial Staff of Transport Geography Papers of the Polish Geographical Society makes an effort to counteract scientific misconduct, such as “ghost-writing” and “guest authorship”.
     
     
   • Honesty and integrity in science are the basis of its quality. Readers should be sure that the publication Authors present the results of their work in a transparent and fair manner, regardless of whether they are direct authors or used the help of specialized entities. The transparency of information about entities contributing to the publication (substantive, material, financial input, etc.) proves the researchers’ ethical approach and the highest editorial standards. Unethical behaviours, such as “ghost-writing” and “guest authorship” stand in contrast to the above-mentioned ethical conduct.
     
     
   • “Ghost-writing” means a situation when someone has made a significant contribution to the publication but has not been indicated as one of the Authors or their role is not mentioned in the acknowledgments.
     
     
   • “Guest authorship” (honorary authorship) is a different situation where an Author has made little or no contribution to the publication but nevertheless is listed as the Author or a co-Author. In order to deal with “ghost-writing” and “guest authorship”, the Editorial Office of Transport Geography Papers of the Polish Geographical Society introduces the following requirements for the Authors:
     
     
   • All Authors/co-Authors are asked to complete and send (by post or a scanned copy by e-mail) a statement declaring their contribution to the publication (including affiliation and information about the authorship of the concept, principles, methods, etc.). This requirement also applies to articles by one author in terms of affiliation, contribution and a possible wide use of the work of other Authors or institutions.
     
     
   • Authors are asked to provide information on funding sources, contribution of institutions, associations and other entities. These data will be used to assess whether the authors have duly (sufficiently) met the requirements leading to the elimination of “ghost-writing” and “guest authorship”.
     
     
   • These requirements are shared by all Authors represented by the corresponding author. The corresponding author is primarily responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the required information. Only one declaration is required (submitted by the respective author).
     
     
   • The Editorial Board of Transport Geography Papers of the Polish Geographical Society informs that any cases of unethical actions will be reported to the appropriate institutions (employing institutions, associations, etc.).
     
     
7. Disclosing information and conflicts of interests
   
   All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other material conflicts of interest that might be construed as affecting the results or their interpretation in the manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed.
8. Fundamental errors in published works
   When Author(s) discover(s) a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, it is their responsibility to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with them to withdraw the article or publish an appropriate erratum.
   
   

PUBLISHER CONFIRMATION

In the event of alleged or proven scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication or plagiarism, the Publisher, in close cooperation with the Editors, will take all appropriate steps to clarify the situation and amend the article. This includes the prompt publication of the erratum or, in the most severe cases, the complete withdrawal of the said paper.