About the Journal
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém (FACBEL) publishes academic contributions (articles, reviews, and translations) from researchers without any academic degree restrictions. Thus, it also accepts submissions from undergraduate and graduate authors, as well as postgraduate and postgraduate researchers, mainly in the areas of Philosophy, Theology, and Law.
Its objective is to contribute to the dissemination of high-quality research in these areas, as well as to broaden the impact of the debates that involve them.
Its target audience consists of professors, students, and other readers interested in the Humanities, particularly in philosophical, theological, legal, and educational discussions, in a broad sense. To ensure the academic quality of its publications, the journal has a recognized Scientific Committee in each of these areas, responsible for ensuring the quality and academic integrity of the publications.
Evaluation Process
All submitted scientific manuscripts will be sent to at least one reviewer, selected based on their area of expertise and/or affinity with the subject matter. If rejected for publication, the manuscript will be submitted for a new evaluation by another reviewer. In case of disagreement between the reviews, a third reviewer will be consulted for the final decision.
To guarantee the confidentiality of the authors' identities, a double-blind review system is adopted, in which reviewers do not have access to the authors' identities, only to the content of the text, just as the authors will not know the identity of the reviewers of their material.
Reviewers can issue three types of recommendations: (1) Accept for publication; (2) Accept with suggestions for revisions/corrections; (3) Reject for publication.
The analysis of the works considers the following evaluation criteria: (1) Originality; (2) Contribution to debates in the Humanities and Legal Sciences; (3) Coherence between title, abstract, keywords, and content; (4) Relevance of the references used; (5) Relevance of the topic; (6) Conformity with the standard norm of the Portuguese language (or the language in which the text was written); (7) Clarity of argumentation; (8) Fulfillment of the objectives proposed by the authors.
Authors may make adjustments based on the reviewers' recommendations, and publication of the text is conditional upon the correct implementation of these suggestions.
It should be noted that, if the reviewers identify conflicts of interest involving the institution hosting the journal, members of the Scientific-Editorial Committee, content that violates human rights or the democratic rule of law, or even plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or misuse of AI, the editors may interrupt the editorial process.
The evaluation process is strictly confidential. In case of an unfavorable opinion, the manuscript will be returned to the author. Only the editor/editorial coordinator has access to the authors' identity and the full content of the reviews.
For publication in Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém, no minimum academic degree is required. That is, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate researchers (authors and co-authors) can submit scientific articles, reviews, and translations to the journal.
The average time between submission and publication is 6 to 12 months, varying according to the evaluation process, the availability of reviewers, and the time needed for any revisions made by the authors, as per the issued review.
After publication in an issue, new articles by the same authors can only be published after an interval of one issue (i.e., considering the journal's semi-annual periodicity, one year after the publication of the previous text).
Periodicity
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém adopts a semi-annual publication periodicity.
With two issues published per year, the journal ensures sufficient time for the proper completion of all stages of the editorial process, including peer review, technical editing, and manuscript publication.
This publication schedule seeks a balance between the agility of scientific communication and the rigor of the peer review process, ensuring that each issue meets high standards of relevance and academic integrity. By adopting a semi-annual publication periodicity, the journal reinforces its commitment to editorial excellence and the construction of a solid and reliable body of scientific literature.
Open Access
The Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém offers free access to its content in its entirety.
To acquire current or previous editions in print, we recommend contacting the journal by email: periodicos@facbel.edu.br
There is no submission fee.
Originality
Articles published in the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém must be original. If the scientific text has been submitted to other journals, the authors must expressly indicate this at the time of submission, in the "Comments for the Editors" section.
Article Submission Process
The Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém accepts articles, reviews, and translations on a continuous basis, allowing authors to submit their manuscripts at any time, without having to wait for specific deadlines. This model makes the editorial process more agile and dynamic, promoting the rapid dissemination of scientific knowledge.
With this continuous flow, articles are evaluated as soon as they are submitted, following all stages of peer review and editing. After approval, the works can be published in the following corresponding edition, optimizing the time between submission and publication.
In the case of special editions (dossiers), specifically and exceptionally, information regarding the start and end dates for manuscript submission will be published on the journal's website and/or through the official communication channels of the journal and the Catholic Faculty of Belém (FACBEL).
Copyright and the Creative Commons License (CC-BY)
Copyright plays a fundamental role in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge, ensuring that authors receive due recognition for their intellectual contributions. At the same time, in the context of contemporary science — increasingly collaborative, open, and global — the adoption of licensing models that balance copyright protection with the wide circulation of information has become essential.
In this sense, the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém adopts the international Creative Commons license (CC BY) as a way to promote open access to published content. This license allows anyone to read, download, copy, share, distribute, print, adapt, and reuse published articles, reviews, and translations, provided that due credit is given to the authors and the journal.
This means that, when using the content, the user must correctly cite the author(s) and indicate the original source of publication. This practice not only respects copyright but also strengthens academic integrity and the traceability of knowledge. By opting for the CC BY license, the journal reaffirms its commitment to the principles of open science, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and the democratization of access to scientific knowledge. This is a model that benefits authors, readers, and society in general, allowing knowledge to circulate freely, responsibly, and transparently.
This journal is licensed by Creative Commons 4.0 Internacional.
General Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém follows the recommendations of the Comitee on Publications Ethics (COPE) regarding ethics in research.
According to Law No. 9.610, of February 19, 1996, it is the translator's responsibility to obtain the necessary authorization to translate any manuscripts that are not in the public domain.
It is recommended that, in the case of funded research— such as that linked to research grants — the funding agency(ies) responsible for supporting the scientific work be duly mentioned.
Anti-Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism constitutes one of the most serious violations of academic integrity, compromising not only the credibility of authors but also the reliability of science as a whole. In general terms, plagiarism consists of using the ideas, data, methods, or texts of others without proper attribution, whether through literal transcription or paraphrasing. In a transparent, original, and rigorous scientific environment, such practices are unacceptable.
In Brazil, copyright protection is guaranteed by Law No. 9.610/1998, which stipulates that intellectual works cannot be reproduced or used without the author's authorization, except in cases provided for by law.
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém has a rigorous anti-plagiarism policy to guarantee the integrity and originality of its publications. All submitted texts undergo similarity checks at different stages of the editorial process (initial submission, after revisions, and before publication), and, upon submitting their manuscripts, authors declare that their work is original and unpublished (declaration of originality).
The editorial team of the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém is trained to carefully interpret similarity reports, distinguishing acceptable coincidences—such as technical terms, properly cited references, and standardized methodological passages—from concrete evidence of plagiarism. When necessary, ad hoc reviewers may also be called upon to assess suspected cases during the peer review process.
After submission, suspected cases may result in correction, rejection, or investigation. In confirmed cases of plagiarism after publication, the journal reserves the right to remove the article from the website, publish retractions, and notify the authors' home institutions, in accordance with international ethical guidelines for scientific publication.
With these measures, the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém reinforces its commitment to ethics and scientific quality, promoting the production of reliable and transparent knowledge, with due credit to the authors and the journal.
Policy on Detecting the Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has expanded rapidly in the context of scientific research, offering significant benefits such as support for data analysis. However, the inappropriate use of these technologies can compromise academic integrity, especially when AI-generated material is presented as if it had been produced by humans.
At the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém, it is understood that the use of AI must be ethical and responsible. Misuse includes, for example, the automatic generation of text without review, the creation of non-existent data or references, the omission of the use of AI tools when relevant, and the improper substitution of the author's own work with texts created by artificial intelligence. Such practices can distort the scientific record and harm the reliability of publications.
To mitigate these risks, the journal implements and recommends specific verification and transparency measures:
- Rigorous editorial review to identify textual inconsistencies, inaccurate references, or patterns typical of automated generation without validation.
- Use of tools to detect AI-generated content.
- Guidance for reviewers to consider the ethical use of AI during the peer review process, especially regarding the originality and reliability of the data presented.
- Implementation of measures in cases of misuse, including requests for clarification, mandatory revision, manuscript rejection, or retraction after publication.
Journal and Author Responsibilities
The Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém is responsible for ensuring confidentiality and anonymity throughout the editorial process, for archiving unpublished manuscripts for a period of five years from the date of submission, and for their dissemination through, among other channels, national and international journal portals (indexers).
Authors are responsible for the accuracy and reliability of the sources used, the content presented, and the methodology adopted. It is reiterated, as mentioned in the "Evaluation Process" section, that if reviewers identify conflicts of interest related to the institution to which the journal is affiliated, to members of the Scientific-Editorial Committee, or content that violates human rights or the democratic rule of law, the editorial process will be interrupted, without prejudice to the authors or members of the journal's committees.
Thus, although the content of scientific texts is the responsibility of the authors, the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém is committed to defending freedom of expression, scientific impartiality, and respect for human dignity — principles that guide its publications. Based on these principles, the journal may, when necessary, publish errata and retractions relating to previous editions.
Letter of Good Editorial Practices from of the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém (FACBEL)
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém reaffirms its commitment to integrity, ethics, and transparency in scientific communication, adopting nationally and internationally recognized research ethics standards. Its editorial guidelines are aligned with the recommendations of organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), as well as with the principles of transparency promoted by SciELO and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém bases its editorial activities on the following fundamental ethical principles:
1. Scientific Integrity and Originality
All manuscripts must present original results, with accurate data that is properly analyzed and referenced. Practices such as plagiarism, self-plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, misuse of AI, and improper manipulation of citations are strictly prohibited and rigorously punished (in accordance with the measures described above regarding plagiarism and misuse of AI).
2. Ethical and Transparent Editorial Process
Manuscripts are evaluated through peer review, ensuring impartiality, confidentiality, and scientific quality. Editorial decisions are based exclusively on academic merit, without any discrimination of a personal, institutional, or ideological nature.
3. Blind Review Process
Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém uses a blind review system, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the editorial process. This model ensures greater impartiality and increases objectivity in the evaluation of manuscripts. To guarantee this, authors must submit versions of the text without author identification in Word (.doc) format and include their information only on the journal's website, in the designated field during submission.
4. Author Responsibilities
Authors must guarantee the legitimate authorship of their manuscripts according to internationally accepted criteria, including critical review and responsibility for the published content. They must also declare conflicts of interest (if any), funding sources, and ensure compliance with ethical standards in research involving human beings.
It is also the authors' responsibility to format their materials according to the guidelines adopted by the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém available in the Submissions tab.
5. Conduct of editors and reviewers
Editors and reviewers must act independently, maintain confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest. Any situations that may compromise impartiality must be reported.
6. Transparency and Open Science
The Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém encourages open science practices, promoting the responsible sharing of data, methods, and results, thus contributing to the reproducibility and advancement of scientific knowledge.
7. Corrections and Retractions
When errors or inappropriate conduct (such as plagiarism and misuse of AI) are identified, the journal will take appropriate measures, such as the publication of errata, retractions, or other corrective actions, in accordance with international guidelines.
8. Prevention of Scientific Misconduct
The journal employs mechanisms to identify irregularities, including plagiarism verification, data integrity analysis, and detection of AI misuse, as well as critical evaluation of submitted content, and may interrupt the editorial process in cases of suspicion.
By establishing this charter of good publishing practices, the Ver-O-Pensar Scientific Initiation Journal of the Catholic Faculty of Belém seeks to ensure an ethical, transparent, and reliable environment for scientific publication, thus contributing responsibly to the advancement of knowledge and society.
