Author Policies

Here is an overview of the key policies followed by the International Journal of Engineering Research and Science & Technology (IJERST). These policies guide the journal's editorial, publishing, and ethical practices to ensure the highest standards in academic research and integrity.

1. Rights and Grants to the Author

IJERST ensures that authors retain the copyright to their work, but they grant the journal an exclusive license to publish and distribute the article. Authors may also be asked to provide details of any funding sources or grants that supported the research. This policy protects the author's intellectual property while facilitating the distribution and accessibility of their work.

2. Licensing Policy

Articles published in IJERST are typically available under an open access model. The journal usually encourages the use of Creative Commons (CC) licenses, such as CC BY or CC BY-NC (Attribution or Attribution-NonCommercial). These licenses allow others to share and reuse the article with proper attribution to the authors. The licensing terms are clearly stated in each article to inform readers about the allowable usage and sharing of the content.

3. APC Waiver Policy

IJERST offers waivers or discounts on the Article Processing Charge (APC) for authors from low-income countries or those facing financial hardship. Authors can apply for an APC waiver during the submission process by submitting a formal request along with supporting documentation, such as proof of their financial situation or funding source.

4. Withdrawal Policy

Authors have the right to withdraw their manuscript before it has been accepted for publication. However, once a manuscript has been accepted and the article has entered the production process, withdrawal may be subject to a fee. A formal request must be made by the authors, and they must provide valid reasons for withdrawal. After publication, articles cannot be withdrawn but can be retracted if necessary.

5. Human and Animal Rights Policy

Research involving human participants or animals must comply with international ethical standards. Authors are required to ensure that their research complies with the Declaration of Helsinki (for human research) and national laws on animal welfare (for animal research). Ethical approval must be obtained from an accredited institution or ethics board, and this information must be included in the manuscript.

6. Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy

IJERST allows authors to issue Errata (for minor corrections) and Corrigenda (for more significant errors). If a significant ethical issue or error is discovered post-publication, the journal may issue a Retraction to formally withdraw the article from the journal. A detailed explanation for the retraction is usually published to ensure transparency.

7. English Language Editing

Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to use professional English language editing services to ensure the manuscript meets the journal’s linguistic standards. This ensures clarity and improves readability for an international audience. The journal may also offer or recommend specific editing services if necessary.

8. Complaints Policy

IJERST has a formal procedure for handling complaints related to the editorial process, peer review, or any aspect of publication. Complaints may be filed by authors, reviewers, or other stakeholders. The editorial board investigates all complaints and works to resolve them fairly and promptly. Transparency and fairness are key components of the journal's complaints procedure.

9. Open Access Policy

IJERST operates under an open access publishing model, meaning that all articles published are freely available to readers worldwide without subscription or paywall restrictions. This policy aims to maximize the dissemination of research and increase the visibility and impact of the work. Authors are encouraged to make their articles available to as wide an audience as possible by publishing under open access terms.

10. Plagiarism Policy

IJERST adheres to strict anti-plagiarism policies to maintain the integrity of the publication. All submitted manuscripts are checked for plagiarism using reputable plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin). Manuscripts found to contain plagiarized content are rejected. If plagiarism is detected post-publication, the journal may retract the article and take appropriate action in line with COPE guidelines.

11. Copyright Policy

Authors generally retain the copyright to their work but grant the journal the right to publish and distribute the article. The journal encourages authors to choose an open access license (usually Creative Commons) to make the article freely available. The copyright transfer is typically outlined in the Author's Agreement Form, which must be signed before publication.

12. Digital Preservation

IJERST ensures the long-term accessibility and preservation of its content through digital preservation strategies. Published articles are stored in trusted online repositories and archives to ensure they remain accessible for future research and reference. The journal follows industry standards to guarantee that its content is preserved for the long term.

13. Manuscript Preparation

Authors are expected to adhere to specific manuscript preparation guidelines. These typically include formatting instructions regarding font type, font size, line spacing, margin sizes, and reference style. The manuscript must be clearly organized with all necessary sections, including title, abstract, keywords, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and references.

14. Check List

IJERST provides an Author’s Checklist to ensure that all necessary documents and components are included with a manuscript submission. The checklist typically includes ensuring the manuscript adheres to the journal's formatting and ethical standards, including proper citations, data sharing statements, and ethical approval for research involving human subjects or animals.

15. Sample Paper

A Sample Paper is made available to authors as a guide for proper manuscript formatting. This example paper is fully formatted according to the journal's requirements and serves as a model to ensure that authors submit their manuscripts in the correct structure and style.

16. Article Processing Charge (APC)

IJERST charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) for articles published under the open access model. The APC covers editorial costs, peer review, and the online hosting of the article. The exact fee varies, and waivers or discounts may be available for authors from low-income countries or in cases of financial need.

17. Author’s Agreement Form

Authors are required to sign an Author’s Agreement Form before their manuscript is published. The agreement outlines the terms and conditions for publication, including copyright transfer or licensing, as well as the responsibilities of the authors and the journal. The agreement helps to ensure that all parties understand and comply with the journal's policies.

18. Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent

Research involving human participants or patients must comply with ethical guidelines regarding privacy and informed consent. IJERST requires that authors obtain informed consent from participants and ensure that any identifying information is protected. Ethical approval must be obtained from an appropriate ethics committee or review board, and this approval must be included in the manuscript.

19. Data Sharing Policy

IJERST encourages authors to make their data publicly available wherever possible. Authors are encouraged to deposit their data in reputable, open-access data repositories to allow others to verify and build upon the research. The journal may request that authors provide data-sharing statements or make data available as supplementary material to their published articles.

20. Submission of Manuscript

Manuscripts should be submitted through IJERST's online submission system. Authors must follow the journal’s submission guidelines to ensure their manuscripts are complete, properly formatted, and ready for review. Along with the manuscript, authors are required to submit ethical approval statements, data-sharing declarations, and other relevant documents.