Guidelines for Editors on Research Standards Violations:
IJCMAS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and quality in the research it publishes. This requires adherence to rigorous scientific and ethical standards. Therefore, we have zero tolerance for violations of research standards and follow COPE's guidelines when handling such cases.
- Definition of Research Standards Violations:
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Research standards violations can take various forms, including but not limited to, plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, unethical research practices, failure to declare conflicts of interest, inappropriate authorship credit, and failure to comply with research ethics guidelines relating to human or animal subjects.
- Handling Allegations:
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If an editor is notified or identifies potential research standards violations, they will initiate an investigation following COPE guidelines. This may involve contacting the authors for clarification, consulting with peer reviewers, or seeking expert opinions.
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More serious allegations or those that the editor cannot resolve may be escalated to the authors' institutions, regulatory authorities, or other relevant organizations for further investigation.
- Authorship Changes Post-Submission:
- Any changes to the author list after submission, including additions, deletions, or change in order, must be approved by all authors. This includes the authors being added or removed and those who continue to be listed as authors. The corresponding author must send the editor a request for authorship change explaining the reason for the change. This request must be accompanied by written confirmation (email is acceptable) from all authors that they agree with the addition, removal, or rearrangement.
- Editorial Decisions:
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Decisions on how to address the violation will depend on the nature and severity of the issue. Actions can range from requiring the authors to correct their manuscript, to publishing an erratum, expression of concern, or, in severe cases, retracting the paper.
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Retraction notices will specify the reason for the retraction and will be linked to the retracted article.
- Prevention:
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IJCMAS promotes a culture of integrity and ethical behavior in research. We encourage authors, reviewers, and editors to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the standards and guidelines of responsible research and publishing.
IJCMAS takes all allegations of research standards violations seriously and is committed to preserving the integrity of the scientific record. We encourage all stakeholders to report suspected violations so that they can be properly investigated and addressed.
National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)