Publication Ethics Policy

Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Applied Science

1. Introduction

Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Applied Science (FIAS) is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing. This Publication Ethics Policy outlines the principles and practices to ensure the integrity and transparency of the research we publish.

2. Ethical Principles

FIAS adheres to the ethical guidelines set forth by recognized bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Our commitment includes:

  • Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy and honesty of the research and its presentation.
  • Transparency: Providing clear and open communication regarding the peer review and publication processes.
  • Respect: Upholding the rights and contributions of all authors, reviewers, and stakeholders.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

3.1. Originality and Plagiarism

  • Original Work: Authors must ensure that their submissions are original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
  • Proper Citation: All sources must be properly cited, and any use of others’ work must be appropriately acknowledged.

3.2. Authorship

  • Criteria for Authorship: Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All individuals who meet these criteria should be listed as authors.
  • Acknowledgment: Individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in the manuscript.

3.3. Conflict of Interest

  • Disclosure: Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence their research or interpretation of results. This includes funding sources and affiliations.

3.4. Data Fabrication and Falsification

  • Accuracy: Authors must present their research data accurately and must not fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data in any way.

3.5. Ethical Approval

  • Compliance: Research involving human or animal subjects must have received appropriate ethical approval from relevant committees. Authors must provide evidence of this approval when submitting their manuscripts.

4. Responsibilities of Reviewers

4.1. Confidentiality

  • Non-Disclosure: Reviewers must keep all manuscript details confidential and must not disclose any information about the manuscript or its contents to anyone outside the review process.

4.2. Objectivity and Fairness

  • Impartiality: Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts based on their scientific merit and relevance to the journal’s scope, without personal bias or conflicts of interest.

4.3. Constructive Feedback

  • Comments: Reviewers should provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work. Feedback should be respectful, clear, and focused on the manuscript’s content.

4.4. Conflict of Interest

  • Disclosure: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing manuscripts if a conflict arises.

5. Responsibilities of Editors

5.1. Decision Making

  • Judgment: Editors are responsible for making unbiased decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts based on their quality, relevance, and adherence to the journal’s guidelines.

5.2. Confidentiality

  • Privacy: Editors must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and review information.

5.3. Handling Misconduct

  • Investigation: Editors must investigate allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical research practices. Appropriate actions, including retraction or correction, will be taken based on the findings.

6. Retractions and Corrections

6.1. Retraction

  • Criteria: Articles may be retracted if they contain significant errors, unethical practices, or inaccuracies that affect the validity of the research. Retractions will be accompanied by a retraction notice explaining the reasons.

6.2. Corrections

  • Errata: Minor errors that do not affect the overall validity of the research may be corrected through errata or corrigenda published alongside the original article.

7. Ethical Review and Compliance

FIAS is committed to continuous improvement in ethical practices. We encourage feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers to help us uphold and enhance our ethical standards.