Publication Ethics and Malpractice Policy
Commitment to Publication Ethics
The Indian Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET), published by PhD Kro, India, is committed to maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. The journal’s ethical framework draws upon internationally recognized publication ethics principles, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, inappropriate authorship, peer review manipulation, and undisclosed conflicts of interest are not acceptable. Reference to COPE guidance does not imply COPE membership.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors must submit original, accurate, and ethically conducted research. All sources must be appropriately acknowledged, and research findings must be presented without fabrication, falsification, selective misrepresentation, or deceptive image manipulation. All listed authors must have made appropriate scholarly contributions and approved the submitted manuscript. Authors must disclose funding sources, competing interests, relevant ethical approvals, and any use of artificial intelligence tools as required by the journal’s policies.
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for fair, independent, and confidential manuscript evaluation. Editorial decisions must be based on scholarly merit, originality, relevance, methodological quality, and research integrity, without discrimination or commercial influence. Editors must disclose conflicts of interest and withdraw from handling manuscripts where their impartiality may be compromised. Allegations of misconduct must be examined fairly, without retaliation or preferential treatment.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers must provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based assessments while maintaining manuscript confidentiality. They should accept review invitations only when they possess the necessary expertise and can complete the assessment responsibly. Reviewers must declare conflicts of interest, avoid personal criticism, and must not disclose or use unpublished research for personal or professional advantage.
Plagiarism and Research Misconduct
IJET does not permit plagiarism, redundant publication, fabricated or falsified findings, manipulated peer review, or misleading research practices. Similarity-checking tools may assist editorial screening, but similarity percentages alone do not establish plagiarism. Editors assess the nature, extent, context, and attribution of overlapping material before reaching a decision. Suspected misconduct may lead to further investigation, rejection, or appropriate post-publication action.
Research Ethics and Consent
Research involving human participants, animals, confidential information, or potentially sensitive data must comply with applicable ethical and legal requirements. Authors must obtain institutional ethical approval and informed consent wherever required and provide relevant statements in their manuscripts. Personally identifiable information must be protected, and the use of copyrighted or third-party materials must comply with applicable permissions and licensing conditions.
Handling Allegations of Misconduct
Concerns regarding publication ethics may be reported to the journal at phdkro@gmail.com. Each complaint will be assessed according to its nature and available evidence. The journal will seek relevant explanations, maintain appropriate confidentiality, and provide a fair opportunity for the parties concerned to respond. Where necessary, the journal may consult independent experts, institutions, or relevant ethical authorities.
- Receipt and acknowledgement of the complaint
- Preliminary assessment and preservation of evidence
- Request for explanations and independent review where needed
- Editorial determination and appropriate corrective action
- Documentation and communication of the outcome
Corrections, Retractions and Editorial Actions
Where errors or ethical concerns are identified, the journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the seriousness and reliability of the findings. Manuscripts under consideration may be rejected when serious misconduct is established. Post-publication notices will be clearly linked to the original article, with an appropriate explanation. The journal aims to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record rather than remove legitimate publication history without justification.
Confidentiality and Editorial Accountability
Information relating to manuscripts, reviewer reports, ethical complaints, and investigations is handled confidentially, subject to necessary disclosure for fair assessment or legal compliance. Editors and the publisher are responsible for maintaining appropriate records and ensuring that publication decisions remain independent of financial interests. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to cooperate with legitimate enquiries concerning research integrity.