Zendar Universe Community Guidelines for Comments

Welcome to the Zendar Universe Community

Welcome to Zendar Universe, a space research and astronomy publication platform dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering collaboration among researchers and space enthusiasts, and promoting open discourse about discoveries in cosmology, astrophysics, exoplanets, and related fields.

These Community Guidelines establish the standards that help us maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and productive environment for all members—whether you are a researcher, student, educator, science communicator, or space enthusiast. By participating in discussions, submitting comments on publications, or engaging with our community (including on publication pages, research project pages, and researcher profiles), you agree to uphold these guidelines.

1. Our Values & Core Principles

Zendar Universe is built on five core principles:

Scientific Integrity — We promote accurate, evidence-based information grounded in peer-reviewed research and reputable scientific sources.

Respect & Inclusion — We welcome diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise levels while treating all members with dignity and professionalism.

Constructive Collaboration — We encourage thoughtful discussion that advances understanding and builds knowledge collectively.

Transparency — We operate with clear processes for content moderation, decision-making, and community feedback.

Accessibility — We make our platform and discussions accessible to a global audience of scientists, educators, and space enthusiasts at all career stages.

2. Acceptable Community Behavior

We encourage and value the following types of contributions:

2.1 Respectful & Professional Communication

Engage with other members in a collegial, courteous tone, free from personal attacks or hostility. When providing feedback or critique, focus on the scientific content and methodology rather than on the researcher or their character. We acknowledge that diverse expertise levels exist within our community and expect all members to engage respectfully regardless of career stage.

2.2 Evidence-Based Contributions

Support claims, criticisms, and arguments with credible evidence, citations, or data. When commenting on published research, reference the specific findings, methods, or conclusions you are discussing. Cite sources appropriately, including peer-reviewed journals, preprint servers (such as arXiv), official datasets, and reputable scientific institutions. Distinguish clearly between established knowledge, interpretations, and speculation.

2.3 Constructive Comments & Feedback

Offer comments that clarify, build upon, or respectfully challenge the research or publication content. Pose questions in a way that seeks clarification rather than implying misconduct or incompetence. Acknowledge the limitations of your own knowledge and remain open to learning from others. Contribute meaningfully to advancing the discussion or the scientific understanding of the topic.

2.4 Intellectual Integrity

Do not plagiarize or present others' ideas, data, or words as your own. Properly attribute and cite all sources, including images, datasets, code, and prior research. Disclose any relevant conflicts of interest (such as competing research, financial interests, or professional relationships) when appropriate in your contribution. If you become aware of suspected violations of research ethics or data integrity, please report them through the channels described in Section 6 of this policy.

2.5 Inclusivity & Accessibility

Use clear, accessible language that welcomes readers at various expertise levels. Explain technical terms or jargon when helpful to broader understanding. Respect and value contributions from researchers at all career stages and from diverse geographical, institutional, and professional backgrounds. Support an environment where all members feel safe, valued, and able to participate.

3. Prohibited Behavior & Content

The following behaviors and content are not permitted on Zendar Universe:

3.1 Harassment, Discrimination & Hostile Conduct

Personal attacks, insults, or derogatory language targeting an individual or group are not tolerated. This includes harassment based on protected characteristics including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or career stage.

Threats of violence or intimidation, bullying, stalking, or coordinated campaigns to harass or discredit an individual are prohibited. Sexualized, racist, or otherwise offensive language or imagery is not permitted.

3.2 Misinformation & Fraudulent Content

Deliberate spreading of false or misleading scientific claims presented as fact is prohibited. Do not misrepresent research findings, data, or authorship. Falsification, fabrication, or manipulation of data, citations, or results is strictly forbidden. Impersonation of researchers, institutions, or verified community members is not allowed. Spam, mass-produced content, or content clearly generated with intent to mislead or inflate engagement metrics is prohibited.

3.3 Plagiarism & Intellectual Property Violations

Verbatim copying of others' work without attribution or quotation is not permitted. Do not present others' ideas, research, or data as your own. Copyright infringement or unauthorized use of third-party content is prohibited. Unauthorized distribution of proprietary or confidential information is not allowed.

3.4 Illegal Activity & Policy Violations

Content that promotes, instructs on, or facilitates illegal activity (such as fraud, hacking, or unauthorized access) is not permitted. Do not disclose personally identifiable information (PII) of other individuals without their consent. Violation of export controls, intellectual property law, or applicable regulations is prohibited. Content that violates our Platform Terms of Service or applicable laws is not allowed.

3.5 Off-Topic & Commercial Conduct

Comments should be relevant to space research, astronomy, cosmology, scientific methodology, or research publications. Discussion unrelated to these topics is considered off-topic. Solicitation or advertising unrelated to scientific research or educational purposes is prohibited. Spam, repetitive postings, commercial promotions, and phishing attempts are not allowed. Excessive self-promotion that dominates or distracts from substantive discussion is not permitted (unless clearly marked as promotional and in compliance with other guidelines).

3.6 Defamation & Harmful Speculation

Do not make accusations of misconduct, fraud, or unethical behavior without supporting evidence. Speculation about researchers' motives, integrity, or personal characteristics is not permitted. Public disclosure of private disputes or personal grievances unrelated to scientific content is prohibited.

4. Guidelines for Comments on Research Publications

Comments are a valuable part of the scientific process, enabling post-publication discussion and community evaluation of research. The following guidelines apply specifically to comments on research publications, publication pages, and researcher profiles:

4.1 Scope & Purpose of Comments

Comments should engage with the scientific content, methodology, conclusions, or implications of the publication. Appropriate comments may raise legitimate questions, suggest alternative interpretations, provide supplementary data or insights, or identify potential errors or limitations in the work.

Minor editorial suggestions, off-topic remarks, or personal messages are better addressed directly to the authors via email rather than as public comments.

4.2 Tone & Standards for Comments

Comments must be written in a professional, collegial tone, free from polemics, inflammatory rhetoric, or personal criticism. Language that is insulting, inflammatory, obscene, or demeaning is not tolerated. Comments should assume good faith on the part of the authors and focus on the science, not the scientist. Avoid rhetorical devices that imply misconduct or bad faith without evidence.

4.3 Evidence & Argumentation Standards

Arguments must be evidence-based, not authority-based. Avoid unsupported assertions or statements that rely on belief alone. If you cite data, information, or prior research in your comment, provide sufficient detail or a permanent link (such as a DOI, arXiv reference, or database URL) so readers can assess your evidence independently.

Acknowledge the limitations of your own evidence and arguments. This strengthens your credibility and advances honest scientific discussion.

4.4 Attribution & Credit

Give appropriate credit to original authors and researchers. If your comment builds on prior work or unpublished research, provide context and proper citation. Do not take credit for ideas or findings that belong to the publication authors or other researchers.

4.5 Raising Concerns About Research Misconduct

If you have concerns about data integrity, plagiarism, research misconduct, or other serious ethical violations, please do not post these concerns publicly as a comment. Instead, contact our moderation team directly:

Email: ethics@zendaruniverse.comSubject line: "Research Ethics Concern: [Publication Title]"

Provide details, specific evidence, and context. Your report will be handled confidentially and professionally. This protects both you and the authors by ensuring serious allegations are reviewed carefully rather than aired publicly.

5. Privacy & Safety

5.1 Protecting Personal Information

Do not share personally identifiable information (PII) about yourself or others without explicit consent. This includes full names (if you prefer anonymity), email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, or other private data. Exception: If this information is already publicly available on a website or in published materials, you may reference it.

When discussing research involving human subjects or sensitive data, ensure compliance with applicable regulations such as HIPAA (United States), GDPR (Europe), and institutional ethics guidelines. Redact or de-identify personal information appropriately.

5.2 Account Security & Your Responsibility

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Do not share your password or allow others to access your account. If you suspect unauthorized access to your account, contact us immediately at contact@zendaruniverse.com.

5.3 Safe & Welcoming Environment

Zendar Universe is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for all members. If you experience or witness harassment, discrimination, threats, or other unsafe behavior, please report it to our moderation team immediately using the methods described in Section 6.

6. Reporting Violations

Zendar Universe depends on community members to help maintain a safe, respectful, and scientifically rigorous environment.

6.1 How to Report a Violation

You can report violations using any of the following methods:

Flag Button: Click the "Report" or "Flag" button on any comment, post, or profile to submit a report through our platform.

Email Report: Send a detailed report to contact@zendaruniverse.com or moderation@zendaruniverse.com.

Ethics Concerns: For research ethics violations, misconduct allegations, or serious safety issues, email ethics@zendaruniverse.com.

Privacy Issues: For privacy-related violations or data concerns, email privacy@zendaruniverse.com.

All reports are handled confidentially by our moderation team.

6.2 Information to Include in Your Report

When you report a violation, please provide:

A clear description of the violation and which guideline section(s) it violates.
The specific comment, post, profile, or publication involved (include a direct link or screenshot if possible).
Relevant context that helps our team understand the concern.
Your contact information (optional, but helpful for follow-up if we need clarification).

6.3 What Happens After You Report

Our moderation team will review your report promptly (typically within 24-48 hours). We will determine whether the content or behavior violates these Community Guidelines and applicable policy. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with Section 7 below.

When possible and appropriate, we will notify you of the outcome of your report. Repeated or frivolous reports may result in action against the reporter's account.

7. Moderation & Enforcement

7.1 Moderation Process

Pre-Publication Review: Certain submissions and community content may be reviewed before publication to ensure alignment with our guidelines and platform standards. Our target review time is 24 hours, though timing may vary depending on volume.

Post-Publication Monitoring: Our moderation team actively monitors community discussions and responds to reports of violations. We aim to address clear violations within 24-48 hours.

Neutral & Fair Review: Moderation decisions are made by trained team members who apply these guidelines consistently and fairly to all members, regardless of status, affiliation, or perspective.

7.2 Consequences for Violations

Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, and the user's history on the platform, enforcement actions may include:

Warning (Level 1): A private notice to the user explaining the violation and requesting compliance with guidelines. No content removal; this is an educational step.

Comment Removal (Level 2): The violating content is removed from public view. A notification is sent to the user explaining which guideline was violated and why the comment was removed. A record is preserved for our moderation log.

Temporary Suspension (Level 3): Temporary restriction of the user's posting and commenting privileges for a specified period (typically 24 hours to 30 days). The user can still view published research and comments but cannot contribute new content. An explanation is provided.

Account Suspension (Level 4): Extended suspension of account access pending further review. Used for serious violations or escalation from previous warnings.

Permanent Ban (Level 5): Permanent removal from the platform. Used for severe, repeated, or egregious violations (such as harassment, plagiarism, deliberate misinformation, or coordinated abuse). Permanent bans are reviewed at a supervisory level before implementation.

Reporting to Authorities: In cases of suspected criminal activity, intellectual property violation, serious misconduct, or safety threats, we may report to relevant authorities or institutions.

For violations that appear to involve research misconduct, we may also report the matter to relevant institutional authorities or research oversight bodies.

7.3 Appeals & Dispute Resolution

If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you may appeal to our moderation team within 14 days of receiving notification of the action.

To appeal: Email moderation@zendaruniverse.com with:

The decision you are appealing (include the date and any reference number)
Your explanation of why you believe the decision was unfair or in error
Any new evidence or context you wish to provide

A different member of our moderation team will review your appeal and provide a final decision within 7 business days. Decisions on appeals are final unless extraordinary new evidence emerges.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate the matter according to our Terms of Service or contact the relevant regulatory authority in your jurisdiction.

7.4 Transparency & Communication

We are committed to transparent moderation. When we remove content or suspend an account, we will notify the affected user (except in cases where notification is prohibited by law or would compromise safety). We will explain the reason for the action, citing the specific guideline(s) violated.

Our moderation team applies these guidelines consistently and fairly to all members. We do not discriminate based on the user's status, institutional affiliation, research discipline, or perspective.

8. Responsibility of Community Members

8.1 Your Role in Maintaining Community Standards

Read and understand these Community Guidelines before posting or commenting. Review your contributions before submitting them. Ask yourself:

Is this respectful and evidence-based?
Does it contribute meaningfully to the discussion?
Could it be misunderstood as an insult or attack?
Have I properly cited my sources?
Am I protecting others' privacy?
Is this on-topic for the publication or community?

8.2 Community Moderators & Volunteers

Community moderators are experienced researchers and educators who volunteer to help maintain discussion standards and assist our team. Moderators are bound by confidentiality and professionalism in their role. Respect moderator decisions and provide constructive feedback through our appeal process if you disagree with a moderation action.

8.3 Collective Stewardship

A healthy community is everyone's responsibility. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Support new members and those less familiar with research norms or our platform. Model respectful, evidence-based discourse in your own contributions.

9. Special Circumstances

9.1 Children & Minors

Our platform is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13. If we learn that a user is under 13, we will remove their account and associated data in accordance with applicable laws (such as COPPA in the United States).

Minors aged 13–17 may use the platform under parental or guardian consent and appropriate supervision.

9.2 Research Involving Human Subjects or Sensitive Data

If your comment or the research you are discussing involves human subjects, clinical data, sensitive health information, or other protected data, ensure compliance with:

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals or equivalent ethics oversight
Data protection regulations including HIPAA (United States), GDPR (Europe), and local privacy laws
Informed consent principles and ethical guidelines for research

Redact or de-identify personal information appropriately. If you become aware of potential privacy or ethical violations in published research, please contact ethics@zendaruniverse.com.

9.3 Conflicts of Interest

If you have a financial, professional, or personal conflict of interest related to the research you are commenting on, please disclose it transparently in your comment. Examples include:

"I am a co-author on related work in this field..."
"My institution funded or collaborates on this research..."
"I have a competing commercial interest in..."
"I am a professional colleague of the authors..."

Disclosures of conflicts of interest strengthen your credibility and maintain the integrity of scientific discourse.

9.4 Corrections, Updates & Removal Requests

If you discover an error in your own comment, you may request correction or removal. Contact contact@zendaruniverse.com or moderation@zendaruniverse.com with details of your request and the reason.

If you believe content you posted should be removed (privacy concern, error, or other reason), we will evaluate the request and respond promptly.

10. Review & Updates to These Guidelines

10.1 Regular Review Schedule

Zendar Universe is committed to maintaining community standards that reflect the evolving needs of the scientific community. These guidelines will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes to the platform, community feedback, and emerging best practices in online research communities.

10.2 Community Input & Feedback

We welcome feedback from community members on these guidelines. Please send suggestions to contact@zendaruniverse.com with the subject line "Community Guidelines Feedback." We will consider substantive input and communicate significant changes to the community.

10.3 Changes & Notification

Material changes to these guidelines will be announced on our platform, via email to registered users, and through our website. Continued use of the platform following publication of updates constitutes acceptance of the revised guidelines.

The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document reflects the most recent revision.

11. Contact & Support

For questions, reports, or feedback related to these Community Guidelines:

General Inquiries & Reports📧 contact@zendaruniverse.com

Moderation & Appeals📧 moderation@zendaruniverse.com

Research Ethics & Misconduct Concerns📧 ethics@zendaruniverse.com

Privacy & Data Protection📧 privacy@zendaruniverse.com

Research Submissions & Collaborations📧 elena.vance@zendaruniverse.com

HeadquartersZendar UniverseMadrid, Spain(Full postal address available on request via contact channels)

12. Related Policies

These Community Guidelines work alongside our other policies and resources. For complete information, please review:

13. Final Thoughts

Thank you for being part of the Zendar Universe community. By following these guidelines, you help create an environment where researchers, educators, and space enthusiasts from around the world can collaborate, learn, and advance our understanding of the cosmos.

We are excited about the conversations happening on our platform and look forward to seeing your contributions to the global scientific dialogue about space exploration and discovery.

For inquiries about this document or our moderation process, contact contact@zendaruniverse.com.