Publication Ethics for German International Journals

As part of our commitment to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, the Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences and Innovations (JMSI) and the International Journal of Political Sciences and Economics (IJPSE) follow the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors (COAP). Our editorial and peer-review processes are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality in all aspects of publication. The following publication ethics apply to authors, editors, and reviewers involved with our journals.

1. Ethical Guidelines for Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to our journals are required to adhere to the following ethical principles:

1.1. Originality and Plagiarism

  • Original Work: Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.
  • Plagiarism Detection: Manuscripts will undergo plagiarism checks using advanced software. Any content found to be plagiarized will be rejected and may lead to blacklisting of the authors from future submissions.

1.2. Proper Citation and Acknowledgments

  • Citation of Sources: All sources used in the research must be properly cited. Authors should acknowledge the work of others by giving due credit for ideas, methods, data, or text they have drawn upon.
  • Acknowledgment of Contributions: Any individuals who contributed significantly to the research or manuscript preparation should be included as co-authors. Non-authors who contributed should be acknowledged in the acknowledgments section.

1.3. Research Ethics and Integrity

  • Ethical Approval: Authors must ensure that their research adheres to ethical guidelines, particularly when it involves human or animal subjects. Ethical approval from an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board must be provided where applicable.
  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must declare any financial, professional, or personal conflicts of interest that may influence the interpretation of results or the presentation of the work.

1.4. Data Availability and Reproducibility

  • Data Transparency: Authors are encouraged to provide access to the data, methodology, and materials used in their research. Data should be available for others to verify and replicate the results where possible.
  • Corrections and Retractions: If authors discover significant errors in their published work, they must promptly notify the journal’s editorial team to issue corrections, updates, or retractions as necessary.

2. Ethical Guidelines for Editors

Editors of JMSI and IJPSE must adhere to the following ethical responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the publication process:

2.1. Fairness and Impartiality

  • Decision Making: Editors must evaluate manuscripts solely based on their academic merit, relevance, and scientific quality, irrespective of the author’s race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
  • Confidentiality: Editors must ensure the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and the identities of authors and reviewers during the peer review process. Manuscripts should not be shared with third parties or used for personal advantage.

2.2. Transparency in Peer Review

  • Review Process: Editors must ensure that the peer review process is fair, unbiased, and transparent. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback based on objective criteria.
  • Reviewer Selection: Editors should select appropriate reviewers who are experts in the subject matter and have no conflicts of interest with the manuscript.

2.3. Handling Conflicts of Interest

  • Editorial Conflicts of Interest: Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to the manuscript or authors involved in the decision-making process.
  • Handling Competing Submissions: Editors should recuse themselves from editorial decisions in cases where they have conflicts of interest or personal connections with authors.

2.4. Publication Decisions

  • Accepting or Rejecting Manuscripts: Editors have the responsibility to accept or reject manuscripts based on peer review feedback and the manuscript’s scientific merit.
  • Corrections, Retractions, and Expression of Concern: If errors or misconduct are detected in an article after publication, editors should take necessary action, such as publishing corrections, issuing retractions, or expressing concerns about the article’s content.

3. Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers

Reviewers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and integrity of published research. Their responsibilities include:

3.1. Confidentiality

  • Confidential Handling of Manuscripts: Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not share, discuss, or use the content of a manuscript for personal gain prior to publication.

3.2. Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

  • Objective Assessment: Reviewers must assess manuscripts objectively, focusing on the validity, methodology, and significance of the research rather than personal preferences or biases.
  • Constructive Criticism: Reviewers should provide detailed, constructive feedback to authors that helps improve the quality of the manuscript, while maintaining professionalism and respect.

3.3. Conflict of Interest

  • Declaration of Conflicts: Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest, such as personal or professional relationships with the authors, or financial interests related to the manuscript.
  • Recusal from Review: Reviewers should recuse themselves from reviewing a manuscript if there is a conflict of interest.

3.4. Timeliness

  • Prompt Review: Reviewers should complete their reviews in a timely manner, allowing the journal to adhere to its publication schedule. If unable to review the manuscript within the given timeframe, reviewers should notify the editor promptly and suggest alternative reviewers if necessary.

4. Ethical Guidelines for Publishers

The publishers of JMSI and IJPSE are responsible for the overall management of the journals and ensuring that the publication process aligns with ethical guidelines and legal requirements.

4.1. Open Access and Accessibility

  • Free and Open Access: Both journals follow an open-access policy to ensure that all published content is freely accessible to researchers and the public. Authors do not have to pay for submission, and the content is available without subscription or paywalls.

4.2. Transparency in Publication

  • Clear Information: The journals will provide clear, accessible information about article submission, review processes, and publication fees.
  • Timely Publication: The publishers ensure that articles are published promptly upon acceptance, with appropriate visibility across academic and professional communities.

4.3. Accountability for Content

  • Ethical Review: Publishers have the responsibility to ensure that ethical standards are followed in the editorial process and to take necessary steps in case of ethical violations, including retraction or correction of published articles.

5. Handling of Ethical Violations

In cases of suspected research misconduct or violations of ethical guidelines, JMSI and IJPSE will follow the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines for handling ethical issues. Possible actions include:

  • Investigation: The editor will investigate the issue, involving relevant parties such as authors, reviewers, and institutions if necessary.
  • Correction: A correction will be published if the issue is related to minor errors or oversights.
  • Retraction: If the article is found to be fraudulent, plagiarized, or severely flawed, the article may be retracted.
  • Expression of Concern: If there are concerns about the integrity of the research, but not enough evidence for retraction, an expression of concern may be issued.