Publication Ethics

The Minnesota Journal of Business Law and Entrepreneurship is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. The Journal expects all participants in the publication process—including authors, editors, and reviewers—to adhere to these principles.

Duties of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Journal must ensure that their work:

  • Is original and has not been previously published
  • Is not under consideration by another publication unless disclosed
  • Accurately represents sources through proper citation
  • Does not contain fabricated, falsified, or misleading data
  • Properly acknowledges all contributors and co-authors

Authors must promptly notify the Journal of any significant errors discovered after submission or publication.

Plagiarism and Originality

The Journal does not tolerate plagiarism in any form, including direct copying, improper paraphrasing, or self-plagiarism without disclosure. All submissions may be screened for plagiarism, and manuscripts found to violate these standards may be rejected or retracted.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial interests, professional affiliations, or personal relationships that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the content of the manuscript. Editors and reviewers are likewise required to disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when appropriate.

Duties of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Evaluating manuscripts based solely on scholarly merit
  • Maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process
  • Ensuring a fair and unbiased peer review
  • Addressing ethical concerns promptly and transparently

Editorial decisions are not influenced by the author’s race, gender, institutional affiliation, nationality, or political beliefs.

Duties of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback
  • Treat manuscripts as confidential documents
  • Identify relevant published work not cited by the author
  • Disclose conflicts of interest and decline review when necessary

Data Integrity and Accuracy

Where applicable, authors must ensure the accuracy of data, sources, and legal authorities. Misrepresentation or selective omission of relevant authority may constitute an ethical violation.

Corrections and Retractions

If a published article is found to contain significant errors or ethical breaches, the Journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the nature and severity of the issue.

Complaints and Appeals

Authors may submit complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions or ethical concerns to the Journal’s editorial board. All complaints will be reviewed in a fair and timely manner.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The Journal’s ethical policies are informed by widely recognized best practices in academic publishing and legal scholarship. The Journal reserves the right to update these policies as needed.