Ethics

When authors submit their works to IJPCC Press Journals publications, they do so with the understanding that, should it be found that these fundamental principles have not been followed, COPE rules will be followed and one of the following correction notices may be issued:

  • Erratum: An erratum is typically used to describe a production error that occurred during the publication process. If an erratum is issued, it will be fully visible on the abstract of the paper's online version.
  • Corrigendum: This usually refers to a mistake or oversight made by the author before the work was submitted for publication. To guaranty complete visibility, any corrigendum will be included in the abstract of the paper's online edition.
  • Retraction notice: When there is significant ethical misbehavior or when the study is severely faulty and deceptive, a retraction notice will be sent out. The article will typically stay in the journal's online edition. The online version of the paper will have a retraction note.
  • Note of clarification: When a point in the text needs to be emphasized or explained but does not require a correction, a note of clarification will be utilized. Please be aware that the text cannot be changed and that any corrections must be indicated as a stated erratum, corrigendum, or note of clarification. This is to ensure that the reader is informed of any modifications to the text that they may have referenced or cited to in their subsequent research or practice.
  • Expression of concern: We will publish an expression of concern about the work if the conclusion is unclear or if a conflict of interest or lack of information prevents us from reaching a fair conclusion. To guaranty visibility for all readers, including those who are not subscribers, a statement of concern will be included at the abstract level of the paper's online version.

Please be aware that we might not be able to act until all issues have been settled for legal reasons or when an item is used as evidence in an independent hearing. If the complainant acts inappropriately or threateningly toward IJPCC Press editors and personnel, or provides a fictitious name or connection, IJPCC Press maintains the right to dismiss the case.

IJPCC Press will always:

  • Be professional and effective.
  • Be impartial and fair.
  • Before deciding on a course of action or making a decision, always ask the accused person to clarify their viewpoint.
  • Make sure we give everyone enough time to react.
  • Notify everyone of the decisions, including the writers, editors, and copyright holders.
  • As members of the Committee on Publication Ethics, follow the processes highlighted in the flowcharts presented by COPE.

It is the responsibility of IJPCC Press to protect the authors' moral rights (to be acknowledged as the author and not to be misrepresented) and to ensure the correct record of the literature.

IJPCC Press reserves the right to withdraw and rescind any acceptance should a case of ethical misconduct be discovered before publication. It will not be possible to please all parties in every case. Following a fair and considered process, the final decision in any disputed case will rest with the editor and IJPCC Press.

For further information on IJPCC Press ethics and policies, refer to the COPE guidelines.

 

Ethical Issues

Journals under IJPCC Press will follow the Ethical Oversight Flowcharts in COPE’s Core Practices that include step-by-step guideline to handle ethical issues in submitted or published articles related to:

  • Redundant (Duplicate) Publication: Authors are expected to submit original, previously unpublished content to IJPCC Press publications. It is an unacceptable academic practice to submit the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time. Authors are expected to wait until receiving a decision from one journal before submitting the next.
  • Plagiarism: IJPCC Press requires that all articles submitted to the journals are original. Using another person’s idea, language, graphs, pictures, results, and experiments without giving credit to them.
  • Self-Plagiarism (Text Recycling): Authors are expected to submit original content to IJPCC Press publications. It is only acceptable for a research to be repeated if it leads to different or new conclusions or for comparisons with new data. In all cases, it is important to provide reference of the previously published work. If any element of the work has been published previously, ensure that the work is fully referenced and state it at the point of submission, so that the Editor may make a fully-informed decision.
  • Fabrication/ Falsification of Data: Making up data, results and recording or reporting them, is fabrication of data. Falsification of data is manipulating research materials, omitting, deletion, suppression of conflicting data without justification. This will cause mistrust and disgrace to the scientific community.
  • Authorship Problems: In multi-authored papers, all authors who have made a significant contribution to the paper must be listed. Those who have provided support but have not contributed to the research should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section.

    Authorship issues fall into three main types:

    • The exclusion of a contributor from the list of authors
    • The inclusion of a named person who has not contributed to the paper or does not wish to be associated with the research
    • The order of the authors on the paper and the level of contribution that they have made to the paper.
  • Undisclosed Conflict of Interest: All conflicts of interest should be declared by the author, editor or reviewer. Conflicts of interest include:
    • A financial or personal interest in the outcomes of the research;
    • Undisclosed financial support for the research by an interested third party;

    A note to highlight the background to financial support for the research from third parties or any other possible conflict of interest must be added to the paper prior to review. If a conflict of interest is suspected, then it should be reported to the Editor.

  • Coercive Citation: During the peer review process, it is typical for authors to be directed by reviewers to papers which further develop and improve the author’s ideas. Whilst there may be legitimate occasions where it is necessary to reference other publications, IJPCC Press regards ‘coercive citation’ (i.e. where a reference is included as a condition of acceptance or without academic justification) as unethical and does not condone this kind of behaviour.
  • Defamation / Libel: IJPCC Press requires that authors obtain written "proof of consent" for studies about named organizations or people. If inaccurate, unsubstantiated, or emotive statements are made about organizations or people in a submitted paper, IJPCC Press reserves the right to request changes to the text from the author or to reject the paper prior to publication. Critiques and reviews of products and services are acceptable but comments must be constructive and must not be made maliciously. If statements have been made in a paper that is published by IJPCC Press, and found to be defamatory, a retraction notice will be published. In some cases, and when legally required, the paper will be withdrawn from the online version of the journal. An apology will be published in a forthcoming issue of the journal or volume of the book. IJPCC Press will advise all authors of case studies to inform the subject (person or organization) and to seek permission. If IJPCC Press considers that the study could be potentially libellous, we will require written proof of consent before placing the paper into the production process.
  • Unethical Research and Testing: An author must follow appropriate international and national procedures with respect to data protection, rights to privacy, child protection and medical testing on humans and animals. Authors must make available to all consent forms and requisite forms from the appropriate regulatory bodies to the editors and publishers at IJPCC Press. IJPCC Press encourages all authors to demonstrate how their research contributes to the benefit of the society. If research is found to contravene international or national procedures and it is confirmed by the appropriate regulatory body, IJPCC Press will publish a retraction notice at once.