Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

Duties & Ethical Standards of Editors

1. Content Review & Selection:
   1. Review & evaluate submitted articles & manuscripts for quality control, relevance and suitability for the publication.
   2. Select articles & manuscripts for publication according to editorial guideline and journal’s target audience.
   3. Contribute to the development of the journal’s content strategy, including deciding on themes, topics, and editorial direction.
   4. Plan special features, series, and theme issues.
2. Editing & Proof Reading:
   1. Edit and proofread articles & manuscripts for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, coherence, and style
   2. Ensure that articles & manuscripts adheres to the journal’s editorials standards, and style.
   3. Verify the accuracy of data and information presented in the articles and manuscripts. 
   4. Proof check references & citations for accuracy and reliability.
3. Collaboration with authors & Engagement with Audience:
   1. Communicate with authors to provide feedback, request revisions, and guide them through the publication process. 
   2. Interact with readers, respond to inquiries, and engage with journal’s audiences through various channels, e.g., website, social media.
4. Peer Review Management:
   1. Coordinate the peer review process, selecting appropriate reviewers, and managing the timeline for reviewing process.
   2. Make editorial decisions based on reviewer feedback and the manuscripts’quality.
   3. Oversee the journal's peer review process to align with the journal's objectives and academic standards.
   4. Develop and maintain a publication schedule to ensure timely release of articles & manuscripts.
5. Ethical Standards and Plagiarism:
   1. Ensure that articles & manuscripts adheres to ethical standards, including avoiding plagiarism and addressing issues of research misconduct.
   2. Support academic freedom within ethical and moral boundaries.
   3. Ensure the academic accuracy and ethical standards of the articles & manuscripts.
   4. Do not consider articles with offensive or disrespectful content towards institutions, religions, governments, or ethics.
   5. Evaluate articles & manuscripts without bias and do not base decisions on unrelated personal opinions.
   6. Never repurpose or duplicate submitted articles or manuscripts for his / her own benefit.
   7. Never seek any type of benefits from authors, readers, or reviewers.
   8. Never disclose authors' personal information unless explicitly permitted.
   9. If issues arise beyond the editor's authority, the editor shall refer that issue to the editorial board for consensus-based decisions.
6. Quality Control & Continual Improvement:
   1. Maintain high editorial standards by upholding the publication's reputation for accuracy, objectivity, and quality.
   2. Ensure that content aligns with the publication's mission and goals.
   3. Continuously improve the journal's academic quality.

Duties & Ethical Standards of Authors

1. Originality & Attribution
   1. Ensure that the submitted article/manuscript is original and has not been published elsewhere.
   2. Properly attribute and cite the sources of information, data, and ideas of their work.
2. Accurate & Honest Reporting:
   1. Present accurate and honest findings without manipulation, fabrication, or falsification of data.
   2. Clearly distinguish between their original work and the work of others
3. Ethical Standards & Plagiarism Avoidance:
   1. Avoid plagiarism by properly citing and referencing the work of others.
   2. Seek permission and give credit when using copyrighted materials.
   3. Conduct research in accordance with ethical guidelines and regulations relevant to their field. All human studies must be certified by the author institution’s human research ethical committee. Authors must uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity in all aspects of their work.
   4. Authors must obtain informed consent from human subjects and adhere to animal welfare standards when applicable.
   5. Authors must provide sufficient details and information in their work to allow others to replicate the research or fully understand their content.
   6. Authors must not submit the same work to other journals simultaneously.
   7. Authors must not publish the same work in multiple places without proper disclosure.
   8. Authors shall correct any errors or inaccuracies in their work if discovered after publication.
   9. Authors shall acknowledge sources of financial support, grants, and funding that contributed to their work.
4. Authorship
   1. Clearly define authorship roles and responsibilities among all contributors to their work.
   2. Ensure that all authors listed have made significant contributions to the research or manuscripts.
   3. Co-authors must consent to and acknowledge the submission. All authors are responsible for the content and should submit original work that has not been published or is under consideration elsewhere.
5. Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
   1. Disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could influence the research or manuscripts.
   2. Address conflicts of interest transparently  in their work.
6. Privacy, Confidentiality and Copyright:
   1. Privacy and confidentiality of individuals and organizations mentioned in their work must be protected.
   2. Obtain appropriate permissions to use personal information.
   3. Respect copyright laws and obtain necessary permissions for the use of copyrighted materials, including images, text, and figures.
7. Timely Communication:
   1. Respond promptly to editorial queries, review comments, and requests for revisions.
   2. Notify editors of any errors or inaccuracies discovered after publication.

Duties & Ethical Standards of Reviewers

1. Critical Evaluation & Expertise:
   1. Reviewers should critically evaluate the manuscript's quality, including its methodology, relevance, originality, and contribution to the field. They should provide constructive feedback and recommendations for revisions, acceptance, or rejection within the specified timeline. One shall avoid using derogatory or offensive language.
   2. Reviewers should accept manuscripts for review only in their areas of expertise. If they feel they lack the necessary expertise to review a particular manuscript, they should decline the invitation to review. 
   3. Reviewers should complete their reviews within the specified timeframe, set by the journal. 
2. Confidentiality & Honesty:
   1. Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the content of the manuscript they are reviewing. They should not discuss the paper or its contents with anyone outside of the peer review process unless it is necessary for seeking expert advice on the review.
   2. Reviewers should provide honest and transparent assessments of the manuscript, even if the findings or conclusions do not align with their personal beliefs or preferences.
3. Ethical Standards:
   1. Reviewers should declare any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality, such as a personal or professional relationship with the authors, financial interests, or competing research.
   2. Reviewers should approach the review process with impartiality and avoid favoritism or bias based on factors such as the authors' affiliations, nationality, gender, or any other irrelevant characteristics.
   3. Reviewers should be vigilant for plagiarism and ensure that the manuscript represents original work. If they suspect plagiarism or unoriginal content, they should report it to the journal or conference organizers.
   4. Reviewers should respect the intellectual property rights of the authors. They should not use the ideas, data, or findings from the manuscript for their own benefit without proper attribution.
   5. Reviewers should provide criticism and feedback in a professional and respectful manner, avoiding personal attacks or derogatory language.
   6. If reviewers discover a potential conflict of interest or believe they cannot provide an impartial review for any reason, they should promptly inform the journal or conference organizers and decline the review.
   7. Reviewers should not share the manuscript or part of their work with unauthorized individuals. They should also ensure that their electronic devices and files containing review-related information are secure.