Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

The Al-Noor Journal for Information Technology and Cybersecurity (NJIC) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. The journal follows international best practices to ensure that all published research adheres to ethical guidelines. The following principles outline the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors in maintaining the journal’s credibility and trustworthiness.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to NJIC must adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

  • Originality and Plagiarism: All submitted manuscripts must be original and free from plagiarism. NJIC uses Turnitin to verify originality.
  • Authorship and Contributions: All listed authors must have significantly contributed to the research. Ghostwriting and honorary authorship are strictly prohibited.
  • Data Integrity and Reproducibility: Authors must ensure that their data is accurate, reliable, and appropriately documented.
  • Citations and Acknowledgments: Proper citations and acknowledgments must be provided for all sources and contributions.
  • Multiple and Redundant Submissions: Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to multiple journals.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to their research.
  • Ethical Approval and Consent: Studies involving human or animal subjects must have appropriate ethical approval and consent statements.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of NJIC. Their responsibilities include:

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential and not share any details.
  • Objectivity and Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be fair, objective, and focused on improving the manuscript.
  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest and decline reviews if necessary.
  • Timely Completion: Reviewers should complete their assessments within the allocated 8-12 weeks.
  • Plagiarism and Ethical Concerns: If a reviewer suspects plagiarism or ethical misconduct, they should inform the editorial team immediately.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team is responsible for ensuring the journal’s integrity and adherence to ethical guidelines:

  • Fair and Transparent Review Process: NJIC follows a double-blind peer review process to ensure unbiased evaluations.
  • Editorial Independence: Decisions on manuscript acceptance are based solely on scholarly merit, without external influence.
  • Confidentiality: Editors must maintain the confidentiality of submissions and reviewer identities.
  • Handling Ethical Violations: The journal follows COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines for handling misconduct cases.
  • Corrections and Retractions: If errors or ethical concerns arise post-publication, the journal will issue corrections or retractions as necessary.

 

  1. Ethical Violations and Misconduct Handling

NJIC takes ethical breaches seriously and follows established procedures for addressing violations:

  • Plagiarism and Fabrication: Any detected plagiarism or data fabrication will result in rejection or retraction.
  • Duplicate Submissions: If a paper is found to have been submitted elsewhere simultaneously, it will be rejected.
  • Authorship Disputes: The journal will investigate and resolve any authorship disputes.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Undisclosed conflicts of interest will be reviewed, and appropriate actions will be taken.
  • Research Misconduct: Any form of research misconduct, including falsification or manipulation of data, will lead to serious consequences, including bans from future submissions.
  • Post-Publication Corrections: If significant errors or ethical concerns arise after publication, the journal reserves the right to issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as necessary.

 

  1. Appeals and Complaints

Authors and reviewers can appeal editorial decisions or report ethical concerns. Complaints should be directed to the editorial board, which will handle them confidentially and fairly.

  • Appeal Process: Authors who wish to appeal a rejection must provide a detailed justification, which will be reviewed by the editorial board.
  • Ethical Complaint Handling: Any ethical concerns raised regarding published articles will be investigated according to COPE guidelines.
  • Confidentiality and Fair Resolution: NJIC ensures that all complaints are handled impartially and in confidence.

 

  1. Compliance with International Ethical Standards

NJIC aligns with globally recognized ethical standards, including those set by:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)
  • ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)
  • WAME (World Association of Medical Editors)

By adhering to these ethical principles, NJIC ensures that all published research upholds the highest standards of integrity, credibility, and academic excellence.

For further inquiries or ethical concerns, please contact the NJIC Editorial Office at [email protected]