Editorial Policies

The key policies of the International Journal of Engineering Research and Science & Technology (IJERST) that govern the editorial process, ethical standards, conflicts of interest, and publication guidelines:

1. Advertisement Policies

IJERST maintains a clear policy regarding advertisements in the journal. Advertisements may be accepted, but they will be clearly separated from editorial content to avoid conflicts of interest. Ads will not influence the editorial decisions or the peer review process. The journal ensures that advertisements align with ethical standards and do not compromise the academic integrity or objectivity of the journal’s content. Advertisements, if accepted, must be relevant to the audience and subject matter of the journal.

2. Editorial Process

The Editorial Process at IJERST is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and the highest standards in publishing. The process involves:

  • Initial Manuscript Screening: When a manuscript is submitted, the editorial team conducts an initial check for plagiarism, formatting issues, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Peer Review: All submitted manuscripts undergo a peer review process (usually double-blind) to ensure scientific rigor, originality, and validity of the research. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the subject matter.
  • Decision: Based on reviewer feedback, the editor makes the final decision on whether the manuscript is accepted, rejected, or requires revisions.
  • Production: Once an article is accepted, it goes through the production stage, which includes copyediting, proofreading, and formatting for publication.

3. Peer Review Process

IJERST follows a double-blind peer review process, meaning both the authors and the reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. This is done to ensure unbiased and fair evaluation of the manuscript. The main steps include:

  • Manuscript Assignment: After submission, the editorial team assigns the manuscript to reviewers who are experts in the field of study.
  • Review and Feedback: Reviewers assess the manuscript's quality, originality, methodology, results, and overall contribution to the field. They provide detailed feedback and recommendations for improvement.
  • Decision: The editor, based on the reviewers’ comments, decides whether to accept the manuscript, request revisions, or reject it.
  • Revisions: If the manuscript requires revisions, the authors are given a specific timeframe to make the necessary changes and resubmit the manuscript for further review.

4. COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (Specific to Editors)

IJERST adheres to the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines for handling conflicts of interest (COI), specifically concerning the editorial team. Editors must:

  • Declare Conflicts: Editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to the manuscripts they handle. This could include personal relationships with the authors or any financial interests that may affect their impartiality.
  • Recusal from Decision-Making: If a conflict of interest is identified, the editor must recuse themselves from the decision-making process for that manuscript. The journal may assign another editor to handle the submission to avoid any bias or unfair advantage.
  • Transparency: All conflicts of interest, whether financial or non-financial, must be disclosed to maintain transparency in the editorial process.

5. COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism

IJERST follows COPE’s recommendations on plagiarism to ensure academic integrity and avoid unethical publication practices. The key points of this policy include:

  • Plagiarism Detection: Manuscripts are subjected to plagiarism detection tools (such as Turnitin or iThenticate) to ensure that the content is original and free from plagiarism.
  • Strict Actions Against Plagiarism: If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected immediately. If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the article will be retracted, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the severity of the issue.
  • Ethical Publishing: Authors are encouraged to properly cite sources and provide adequate attribution for any work they reference or build upon.

6. Creative Commons License

IJERST publishes its articles under a Creative Commons License (typically CC BY or CC BY-NC). This license allows others to:

  • Share: Users can copy, distribute, and transmit the work.
  • Adapt: Users can remix, transform, and build upon the work for any purpose, provided they give appropriate credit to the authors.
  • Non-Commercial Use (for CC BY-NC): The work can only be used for non-commercial purposes. This open-access policy allows broad dissemination of research findings, promoting academic and scientific exchange.

7. Publisher Policies

IJERST is committed to maintaining high publishing standards, ensuring the quality and integrity of the research published. Publisher policies include:

  • Adherence to Ethical Standards: The journal follows the best practices outlined by the COPE and other relevant academic publishing organizations.
  • Editorial Independence: The editorial team maintains full independence from commercial interests or external pressures that could compromise the objectivity of the publication process.
  • Transparency: Clear policies on article processing charges (APCs), ethical guidelines, and data sharing practices are provided to authors and reviewers.

8. Editorial Policies

IJERST has established Editorial Policies to guide all editorial decisions:

  • Objectivity and Fairness: Editorial decisions are based on scientific merit, relevance to the journal’s scope, and adherence to ethical standards. Personal relationships or financial interests should not influence editorial decisions.
  • Timeliness: The journal aims to provide timely publication of research, following a strict timeline for manuscript submission, peer review, and revisions.
  • Ethical Publication: All published research must meet ethical standards, including obtaining ethical approval for human and animal research, disclosing conflicts of interest, and ensuring transparency in reporting results.

9. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement outlines the journal’s commitment to maintaining ethical practices in the editorial and publishing process. This includes:

  • Research Integrity: Ensuring that all published content is original, scientifically valid, and ethically sound.
  • Authorship: Clear guidelines on authorship, ensuring that only those who have made a substantial contribution to the research are listed as authors.
  • Data Manipulation: The journal does not tolerate any form of data manipulation, falsification, or fabrication. Any such violations will result in retraction of the article and other necessary actions.

10. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (Specific to Editors)

Editors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest or financial disclosures that could affect their impartiality in handling manuscripts. This includes any financial relationships with organizations, grants, or personal relationships with authors that could influence their editorial decisions. The journal ensures that:

  • Transparency: Editors must declare any conflicts of interest to maintain trust in the editorial process.
  • Recusal: Editors with a conflict of interest must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where their impartiality might be questioned.