Publication Ethics

 

Code of Ethics

The adopted code of ethics serves as a charter of commitment, delineating the ethical standards and moral responsibilities that govern research activities and their publication within this journal (hereafter referred to as the journal). The primary aim of this code is to prevent scholarly misconduct—whether intentional or inadvertent—by authors submitting manuscripts to the journal.

This code is grounded in the Charter of Research Ethics and Standards ratified by the Deputy for Research and Technology, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran. It also conforms to internationally recognized publishing standards and draws upon the accumulated experience of the journal and other leading academic publications.

 

1. Preface

All parties involved in the publication process—authors, reviewers, the editorial board, and the editor-in-chief—are expected to adhere strictly to the principles of academic integrity. The submission of a manuscript by authors, its review and assessment by reviewers, and the editorial decision process presume full compliance with these ethical obligations. Should any party violate these principles, the journal reserves the right to pursue appropriate legal recourse.

This code is intended to guide the ethical conduct of all stakeholders in the publication process.

 

2. Authors’ Responsibilities

• Submissions must align with the journal’s scope and adhere to its formal and scholarly guidelines.
• Manuscripts must be original works. Any external ideas or content must be properly cited.
• Research should be conducted with precision and objectivity, and data must be presented accurately.
• Authors bear full responsibility for the validity and authenticity of their work. Publication does not imply endorsement by the journal.
• Duplicate or overlapping submissions are strictly prohibited.
• Sources must be cited with care, and direct quotations enclosed in double quotation marks.
• Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors. Gift or ghost authorship is unethical.
• The corresponding author must ensure that all contributors approve the manuscript and its submission.
• All funding sources must be disclosed, and appropriate permissions obtained.
• Authors must notify the journal promptly if an error is discovered, and cooperate in correcting or withdrawing the work.
• Raw data and research samples should be retained for at least one year for post-publication review if required.
• Any potential harm to individuals or the environment arising from the research must be clearly stated.
• Authors are encouraged to contribute to the peer-review process for manuscripts within their area of expertise.

 

3. Unethical Practices in Research and Publication

The following are deemed unethical and may result in legal or disciplinary action:

• Fabrication: The invention or misrepresentation of research findings or data.
• Falsification: Manipulating research methods or data to mislead readers.
• Plagiarism: Using another’s ideas, structure, or language without proper attribution.
• Ghost Authorship: Attributing authorship to someone who did not contribute or omitting actual contributors.
• Fabricated Affiliations: Falsely claiming association with institutions uninvolved in the research.
• Duplicate Submission or Overlapping Publication: Republishing the same data or results with minimal changes.
• Gift Authorship: Including an individual as an author without meaningful contribution.

 

4. Reviewers’ Responsibilities

• Reviewers aid the editor-in-chief and editorial board in evaluating the scholarly merit of manuscripts.
• Reviewers must promptly accept or decline review assignments based on the abstract.
• Review assignments should only be accepted if the manuscript aligns with the reviewer’s expertise and interests.
• Reviewers must not accept assignments involving conflicts of interest or prior involvement.
• Reviews must be objective, constructive, and free from personal, institutional, racial, or religious bias.
• Reviewers should provide detailed comments supported by evidence and references.
• The reviewer’s role is not editorial; revisions should only be suggested when necessary for clarity or accuracy.
• Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the review process.
• Reviewers must not use or disclose unpublished data.
• Only with the editor-in-chief’s permission may a review be delegated to a colleague or student, and such contributions must be acknowledged.
• All communication must occur via the journal office, not directly with authors.
• Any evidence of unethical conduct must be reported to the editor-in-chief.

 

5. Editorial Board’s Responsibilities

• The editor-in-chief and editorial board oversee the selection of reviewers and make final decisions on manuscript acceptance.
• Members must be distinguished experts and demonstrate professionalism, impartiality, and a commitment to the journal’s mission.
• A current and qualified reviewer database should be maintained.
• Reviewer assignments should reflect expertise, experience, and objectivity.
• Authors’ reasonable objections to specific reviewers must be considered.
• The editorial board should prevent superficial reviews and ensure all assessments are thorough and respectful.
• Review reports are to be archived as academic records, and reviewer anonymity must be preserved.
• Editorial decisions must be based on expert evaluations, supporting evidence, and clear justification.
• Manuscript confidentiality must be upheld, and unpublished findings must not be misused.
• Ethical violations must be investigated, and the journal is obliged to correct the record or retract publications as necessary.
• Valid scholarly criticism of published work should be welcomed and published.
• The board must solicit feedback from contributors to improve journal standards and policies.

 

6. Responsibilities of the Scientific Publications Office

The Scientific Publications Office of Isfahan University of Technology is responsible for editing, formatting, and publishing accepted manuscripts in print or online.

Its responsibilities include:

• Establishing publication policies, including those on ethics, intellectual property, and conflict of interest.
• Ensuring timely and accurate processing of accepted manuscripts.
• Safeguarding the confidentiality of authors’ personal data and manuscript content during and after review, except where ethical breaches require investigation.
• Supporting the editorial board’s independence.
• Providing clear guidelines to authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure ethical compliance and scholarly rigor.
• Collaborating with the editorial board to uphold the highest publication standards.
• Handling permissions and requests related to reuse of published materials.
• Assisting in resolving disputes regarding alleged ethical violations.

 

7. Procedure for Handling Unethical Practices

1. Receipt of a written complaint by an individual or organization.
2. Convening an editorial board meeting with the university’s publication representative to assess the claim.
3. Gathering and reviewing relevant evidence; documenting the investigation and decision.
4. Notifying the accused author(s) and requesting a formal response within a specified timeframe.
5. Evaluating the response in a subsequent editorial board meeting and reaching a final verdict.
6. Communicating the outcome and any disciplinary measures to both the complainant and the accused.
7. Informing the highest authority at the affiliated institution of the offender(s).