Publication Ethics

The Ecovisi Journal of Public Policy, Laws & Social Science (EJPLS) is a peer-reviewed journal committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. This journal strictly adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to address all aspects of ethical publishing, including the management of research and publication misconduct.

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher (EcoVisi Publisher). Preventing publication malpractice is a core responsibility of the editorial board. Any form of unethical behavior, such as plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication of data, is strictly prohibited.

EJPLS adopts COPE principles to ensure best practices in publication ethics. The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions and only supports the publication process in an ethical and timely manner.

Duties of Authors

  • Originality and Plagiarism – Authors must ensure their work is entirely original, and if others’ work or words are used, proper citation is required. Plagiarism or self-plagiarism is unacceptable.
  • Data Accuracy – Authors must present accurate data and provide sufficient details to enable replication of the research. Fabrication or falsification of data is strictly prohibited.
  • Multiple or Redundant Publication – Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously.
  • Authorship Criteria – Authorship is limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All authors must approve the final version before submission.
  • Acknowledgment of Sources – Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given.
  • Conflict of Interest – Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that may influence their work.
  • Reporting of Errors – If authors discover a significant error in their published work, they must promptly notify the editor and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article.
  • Confidentiality of Subjects – Authors should avoid including any identifiable personal data of subjects unless it is essential and informed consent has been obtained.

Duties of Editors

  • Publication Decisions – The Editor-in-Chief decides which manuscripts will be published, based on quality, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Fair and Objective Evaluation – All manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic merit, without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.
  • Confidentiality – Editors must keep all details of submitted manuscripts confidential and may only share them with relevant editorial staff, reviewers, and the publisher.
  • Conflict of Interest – Editors must not use unpublished materials from manuscripts for their own research without written permission from the author.
  • Ethical Oversight – Editors must take reasonable steps to prevent the publication of papers where misconduct has occurred, and follow COPE flowcharts in cases of suspected ethical breaches.
  • Reviewer Selection – Editors must ensure that reviewers are suitably qualified and have no conflicts of interest with the manuscript’s authors.

Duties of Reviewers

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions – Reviewers assist editors in making publication decisions and in improving manuscripts.
  • Timeliness – Reviewers should complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe and notify the editor if they cannot meet the deadline.
  • Confidentiality – All manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents.
  • Objectivity – Reviews should be conducted objectively, with constructive feedback and without personal criticism of the author.
  • Acknowledgment of Sources – Reviewers must identify any relevant work not cited by the authors and inform the editor of any substantial similarities with other published work.
  • Conflict of Interest – Reviewers must not review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist due to competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors or related institutions.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

  • Editorial Independence – The publisher respects editorial independence and will not influence editorial decisions.
  • Ethical Oversight – The publisher ensures compliance with publication ethics and international academic standards.
  • Maintaining the Scholarly Record – The publisher works to safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record, issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.
  • Support for Best Practices – The publisher supports the journal in adhering to COPE guidelines and other recognized ethical standards.

Disclaimer

The Editors of EJPLS strive to ensure the accuracy of all published content. However, they make no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the content, and disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. The views expressed in published articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher