Publication Ethics Policy

1.  Purpose

The Maldives Journal of Engineering and Technology (MJET) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. MJET adhere to ethical guidelines, such as those outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This policy outlines the ethical guidelines and principles that govern the publication process to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in scholarly publishing.

2.  Ethical Guidelines for Authors

2.1  Authorship

  1. Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.
  2. All authors should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for its content.
  3. All listed authors should approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission for publication.
  4. Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately in the manuscript

2.2  Originality and Plagiarism

  1. Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and has not been published elsewhere.
  2. Authors must appropriately cite and reference sources used in their research.
  3. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and duplicate publication, is considered unethical.

2.3  Data Integrity

  1. Authors should ensure the accuracy and integrity of the research data and provide retractions or corrections of errors promptly.
  2. Authors should ensure that all data in their manuscripts are accurately represented. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is unethical and unacceptable.

2.4  Conflict of Interest

  1. Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation.

2.5   Citation Manipulation

  1. Excessive self-citation or coercive citation to increase citation counts of a particular author or journal.

2.6  Ethical Approval

  1. Studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must have obtained ethical approval from relevant institutional or governmental bodies.
  2. Authors should provide details of ethical approval in the manuscript.

2.7   Error Correction

  1. If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are obligated to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with them to correct or retract the paper

3.  Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers

3.1  Objectivity

  1. Reviewers should conduct their reviews objectively, providing constructive feedback and recommendations for improving the manuscript.

3.2  Confidentiality

  1. Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the peer review process and not use information obtained during peer review for personal or professional gain.

3.3  Conflict of Interest

  1. Reviewers should declare any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality in reviewing the manuscript.

4.  Ethical Guidelines for Editors and other Editorial Board Members

4.1  Impartiality

  1. Editors are responsible for making fair and unbiased decisions based on the quality, originality, and relevance of the manuscript to the journal’s scope.

4.2  Confidentiality

  1. Editors and editorial staff must handle manuscripts and peer review information confidentially, disclosing details only to those directly involved in the review and publication process.

4.3  Handling of Misconduct

  1. Editors should address allegations of research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and unethical research practices, following established guidelines and policies.

 

5.  Reporting Ethical Misconduct

The Maldives Journal of Engineering and Technology (MJET) encourages all stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, to report any suspected ethical misconduct. Prompt reporting ensures the integrity and credibility of the research published in the journal.

5.1  Who Can Report

Authors: Authors can report if they identify misconduct in their own work post-submission or publication, or if they notice unethical behavior in the work of others.

Reviewers: Reviewers are encouraged to report any suspicion of ethical misconduct they identify during the review process.

Editors: Editors should report any potential ethical issues they encounter during the editorial process.

Readers: Readers who identify potential ethical issues in published articles are encouraged to report their concerns.

Institutional Representatives: Representatives from academic or research institutions can report misconduct involving their members.

5.2  Reporting Process

Confidential Reporting: Reports of ethical misconduct can be submitted confidentially to the Editorial Office via email at mjet@mnu.edu.mv.

Detailed Information: Reports should include detailed information and evidence to support the claims of misconduct. This can include specific instances of plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship disputes, etc.

5.3  Confidentiality and Protection

Confidentiality: All reports and investigations will be handled with strict confidentiality to protect the identities of the whistleblower and those accused of misconduct.

Protection for Whistleblowers: MJET is committed to protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. Individuals who report misconduct in good faith will not be subject to any form of discrimination or retaliation.

6.  Handling of Research Misconduct

  1. Allegations of research misconduct will be investigated promptly and impartially.
  2. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, corrective actions may include corrections, retractions, or sanctions against responsible parties.
  3. Authors accused of misconduct will be given an opportunity to respond to allegations and provide clarifications during the investigation process.

7.  Publication Decisions

  1. Editorial decisions are based on the validity, significance, and originality of the research, as well as its adherence to ethical standards and relevance to MJET’s readership.
  2. Decisions on acceptance, rejection, or revision of manuscripts are made independently of commercial interests or personal relationships.

8.  Appeals and Complaints

  1. Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions or lodge complaints about the editorial process by contacting the editorial office.
  2. Appeals and complaints will be handled according to established procedures to ensure fair and transparent resolution.

9.  Transparency and Openness

  1. MJET encourages transparency in reporting research findings, methodologies, and data. Authors should provide sufficient detail and context to allow others to replicate and verify their work.
  2. Open access to research data and findings promotes scientific progress and fosters trust within the research community.

10.  Compliance and Enforcement

  1. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to these Ethical Guidelines.
  2. Non-compliance with ethical standards may result in actions such as rejection of manuscripts, withdrawal of publication, or restrictions on future submissions.

11.  Continuous Improvement

  1. This publication ethics policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it reflects current best practices and ethical standards in scholarly publishing.
  2. Any changes to the policy should be approved by the editorial board and communicated to all stakeholders promptly.

12.  Contact Information

Authors and stakeholders can contact the editorial office of MJET for any questions regarding this policy.