1. Only original and unpublished research papers are acceptable for publication.
2. The Currents adopts the double-masked or double-blind review system wherein both the reviewer/s and the author/s do not know each other’s identity.
3. There are no submission fees, publication fees, or page charges for this journal.
4. Author/s grant the Currents the right of first publication. However, author/s are allowed to have their work cited in other journals with an acknowledgement of its prior publication in this journal.
5. Articles submitted by the faculty, non-teaching employees (tenured, casual, and job order), and students (both at the undergraduate and graduate levels) of ZSCMST shall undergo the peer review process outlined in this journal.
6. Papers from other institutions can be accommodated. 
7. The editors reserve the right to accept or reject articles.

Currents is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. In line with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, this statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of editors, authors, and reviewers to ensure integrity and transparency in the publication process.

For Editors 
Editors are responsible for ensuring a fair, unbiased, and timely review and decision-making process. 
They shall:

1. Evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, without discrimination based on the authors’ gender, ethnicity, religious belief, or institutional affiliation.
2. Maintain confidentiality of all submissions and correspondence with authors and reviewers.
3. Manage conflicts of interest and disclose any relationships that may influence editorial decisions.
4. Act promptly and transparently when ethical concerns arise, including those related to authorship disputes, research misconduct, or potential retractions, in accordance with COPE’s guidance on addressing integrity concerns (COPE, 2023).

For Authors 
Authors submitting to Currents are expected to adhere to ethical research and publication practices. 
They shall:

1. Ensure originality of their work and appropriately cite sources to avoid plagiarism.
2. Accurately reflect all contributors who meet authorship criteria, as outlined by COPE (2019), and obtain consent from all listed authors prior to submission.
3. Disclose any conflicts of interest and funding sources.
4. Avoid multiple or concurrent submissions of the same manuscript.
5. Cooperate with editorial inquiries regarding data verification or ethical concerns, and promptly inform the editors if a significant error is discovered in their published work.

For Reviewers 
Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of Currents. 
Reviewers shall:

1.  Provide objective, constructive, and timely evaluations based on academic merit.
2. Maintain confidentiality and not use any part of the manuscript for personal advantage.
3. Declare any conflicts of interest and decline to review if a conflict exists.
4. Alert the editor to any ethical issues or suspected misconduct, such as plagiarism or data falsification, in accordance with COPE’s ethical guidelines for peer reviewers (COPE, 2017).

Currents is dedicated to fostering a responsible and transparent scholarly publishing environment. The journal aligns its policies and practices with internationally recognized ethical standards, particularly those outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).