Ethics and Malpractice Statement

(Based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) – https://publicationethics.org – and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) – https://wame.org)

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The International Journal of Creative Science Research Studies (IJCSRS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and adheres to international best practices. The publication of research articles contributes to the continuous development of knowledge and academic integrity. Submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

All articles must fall within the journal’s stated scope and be based on sound scientific methods. Ethical behavior is expected from all parties involved in the publication process — including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

The journal operates independently of commercial influences and ensures editorial decisions are never affected by advertising or sponsorship. Where appropriate, the editorial board collaborates with other journals and publishers to uphold best publishing practices.

Duties of Authors

Authors must adhere to the following ethical principles:

Originality and Plagiarism: Submitted manuscripts must be the authors’ original work. All sources and references must be properly cited. Manuscripts with a similarity index above 20% will be rejectedimmediately.
Scientific Accuracy: Research reports must present an accurate account of the work performed and offer an objective discussion of its significance. Falsified or deliberately misleading statements constitute unethical behavior.
Data Access and Retention: Authors may be asked to provide raw data during the review process. Authors should retain data for a reasonable time post-publication and be prepared to share them upon request.
Multiple Submissions: Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to multiple journals. Submitting the same work to more than one journal is unethical and unacceptable.
Authorship: Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the work should be listed as authors. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors approve the final version of the manuscript and consent to submission.
Acknowledgments: Proper acknowledgment of others' contributions and financial support must be included in the manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their research.
Corrections and Retractions: If significant errors or inaccuracies are discovered after publication, authors must cooperate with the editor to correct or retract the paper.

Duties of Editors

Editors are responsible for ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and fairness of the publication process:

Publication Decisions: Editors are responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication. This decision is based on the manuscript’s originality, significance, clarity, and compliance with the journal’s scope and ethical policies.
Fair Review Process: Editors evaluate manuscripts without regard to the authors’ race, gender, institutional affiliation, or personal characteristics.
Confidentiality: Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and publisher.
Conflicts of Interest: Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest. Unpublished materials must not be used in an editor's research without express permission from the author.
Ethical Oversight: Editors must take appropriate actions in response to ethical complaints, including issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when needed.

Duties of Reviewers

Reviewers play a critical role in the peer review process and are expected to act ethically and objectively:

Confidentiality: Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They should not be shared or discussed with others without permission from the editor.
Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly and support them with evidence.
Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers must identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and inform the editor of any substantial similarities with other published work.
Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest due to relationships with any of the authors or affiliated institutions. They must not use unpublished information for personal advantage.
Timeliness: Reviewers must respond promptly and complete reviews within the agreed timeframe. If they are unable to review a manuscript, they should inform the editor immediately.

The International Journal of Creative Science Research Studies is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. Any suspected misconduct will be investigated thoroughly in accordance with COPE guidelines, and appropriate actions will be taken.