Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Plant Science and Phytopathology (JPSP) is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing. The journal adheres to the ethical guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows the best practices recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Ensuring transparency, integrity, and scientific rigor is at the core of our publication process.

Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial team of JPSP upholds fairness and objectivity in the manuscript evaluation process. Editors are responsible for:

  • Ensuring a rigorous peer-review process.
  • Assessing submissions solely on scientific merit, free from bias.
  • Maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process.
  • Taking necessary actions against research misconduct.
  • Following COPE guidelines in cases of corrections, retractions, or ethical disputes.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to JPSP must adhere to strict ethical standards, including:

  • Submitting only original and previously unpublished research.
  • Avoiding plagiarism, falsification, or manipulation of data.
  • Providing accurate citations for all referenced work.
  • Clearly disclosing funding sources and conflicts of interest.
  • Ensuring all co-authors meet authorship criteria.
  • Complying with ethical standards in plant research, including proper specimen collection and biodiversity conservation.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Peer reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the quality of published research. Reviewers for JPSP must:

  • Provide objective, fair, and constructive feedback.
  • Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Report any ethical concerns, including suspected plagiarism or data manipulation.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their review.
  • Avoid using unpublished research data for personal gain.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

JPSP enforces strict policies against research misconduct, including:

  • Plagiarism: All submissions undergo plagiarism screening.
  • Data Fabrication: Any falsification or manipulation of results is strictly prohibited.
  • Duplicate Submissions: Manuscripts must not be under review in multiple journals simultaneously.
  • Improper Authorship: All authors must have made a significant contribution to the research.

Handling Ethical Violations

In cases of ethical violations, JPSP follows a structured investigation process:

  • Initial Review: Allegations of misconduct are assessed by the editorial board.
  • Author Notification: Authors are given an opportunity to respond.
  • Corrective Measures: If a violation is confirmed, actions such as retraction, rejection, or institutional reporting may be taken.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

The Journal of Plant Science and Phytopathology is dedicated to ethical publishing practices. We expect all stakeholders—authors, reviewers, and editors—to adhere to our ethical policies to maintain the credibility and reliability of scientific research in plant science.

For ethical concerns or inquiries, please contact the editorial office at [email protected].