COPAL Publishing Group’s Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement is based, in large part, on the guidelines and standards developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The relevant duties and expectations of authors, reviewers, and editors of the journal are set out below.

​

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORS

​

By submitting a manuscript to COPAL Publishing Group, the author(s) affirm that the manuscript represents their own original work, which has not been published previously nor is under consideration for publication elsewhere. Furthermore, the author(s) guarantee that appropriate citations and quotations are provided for any ideas or text that are not their own.

 

Typically, authors should refrain from submitting manuscripts that essentially duplicate the same research across multiple journals or publication platforms. Such redundant publication is widely regarded as unethical, and if identified, may lead to the rejection of a manuscript currently under review or the retraction of a published article.

 

Authors presenting manuscripts based on original research are expected to provide an accurate representation of the research conducted, along with an objective evaluation of its implications. The underlying data must be depicted accurately within the manuscript. It is essential that the manuscript includes sufficient detail and references to enable replication of the work by others. Engaging in the fabrication of results or making fraudulent or knowingly false statements constitutes unethical conduct and may result in rejection or retraction of either a manuscript or a published article.

 

In cases where the manuscript discusses commercial software, hardware, or other products, authors must include a declaration at the beginning of the manuscript stating whether any conflicts of interest exist or explaining the nature of any potential conflicts. All sources of financial support for the research should also be disclosed within the manuscript.

 

The author(s) acknowledge that upon acceptance of the manuscript for publication in COPAL Publishing Group, the published article will be copyrighted under a Creative Commons “Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike” license. This license permits the author(s) to retain copyright while allowing others to freely copy, distribute, and display the copyrighted work, along with derivative works, under specified conditions. Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission for the inclusion of any images or artworks for which they do not hold copyright, as well as for adapting such materials for their articles. It is crucial that the copyright holder is explicitly informed that the image(s) or artwork will be made available online as part of the article under a Creative Commons “Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike” license.

 

The names of the authors must be presented in the article according to the order of their contributions, with all authors held accountable for their respective contributions. Only individuals who have made a substantial contribution should be designated as authors; those who have contributed in a more indirect or marginal capacity—such as colleagues or supervisors who have reviewed drafts or provided proofreading assistance, as well as heads of research institutes, centers, or laboratories—should be acknowledged in an "Acknowledgments" section located at the end of the article, just preceding the Reference List. The corresponding author bears the responsibility of ensuring that all appropriate co-authors are included in the article, while inappropriate co-authors are excluded. Furthermore, all listed co-authors must have reviewed and approved the final version of the article, as well as consented to its publication.

 

In cases where an author identifies a significant error or inaccuracy in an article previously published by COPAL Publishing Group, the author is obliged to promptly notify the editors and collaborate with them to rectify the article or, if necessary, retract it.

​

RESPONSIBILITIES OF REVIEWERS

​

The reviewers engaged by COPAL Publishing Group undertake their roles on a voluntary basis. Recognizing that many of these individuals are employed full-time, it is understood that their reviewing responsibilities for COPAL Publishing Group may not always be their primary focus. Reviewers have the discretion to decline invitations to review specific manuscripts if their current professional obligations or other commitments hinder their ability to conduct a thorough review within the designated timeframe. Additionally, it is imperative that reviewers refrain from accepting assignments for which they feel inadequately qualified.

 

Typically, reviewers who accept manuscript assignments are expected to provide their evaluations within a three-week period. Should they determine at any point that they lack the requisite expertise to complete the review, or if they identify a potential conflict of interest—stemming from competitive, collaborative, or other forms of relationships with the authors, institutions, or companies linked to the manuscript—they are expected to recuse themselves from the assignment.

 

Confidentiality is paramount; any privileged information or ideas acquired by reviewers during the peer review process must remain confidential and should not be leveraged for personal gain. Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and should not be disclosed or discussed with any unauthorized individuals, except as permitted by the Editor of COPAL Publishing Group.

 

When conducting their reviews, it is imperative for reviewers to maintain an objective stance, avoiding personal criticism directed at the author(s). They are encouraged to articulate their perspectives with clarity, providing thorough explanations and justifications for all recommendations made. Reviewers should consistently aim to deliver detailed and constructive feedback that may aid the author(s) in enhancing their work, even in instances where the manuscript is deemed not suitable for publication.

 

Reviewers are also expected to identify in their assessments any relevant literature that the author(s) have overlooked, as well as instances where proper attribution of sources has not been adequately addressed. Furthermore, they should alert the overseeing editor to any significant similarities between the manuscript under review and other published articles or papers known to them, along with any ethical concerns they may have regarding the acceptability of the research presented in the manuscript.

​

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EDITORS

​

The Editor of COPAL Publishing Group holds the paramount responsibility for determining whether a submitted manuscript should be published. This decision-making process is informed by the journal’s policies established by the editorial board of COPAL Publishing Group and adheres to existing legal obligations pertaining to libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. In exercising this responsibility, the Editor may seek advice from the Associate Editor, other editorial team members, and reviewers, as necessary.

 

Manuscripts will be assessed based solely on their intellectual contributions, without consideration of the race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, citizenship, or political views of the authors. Furthermore, the editors will maintain the confidentiality of any information related to manuscripts under review, sharing it only with the authors, reviewers, potential reviewers, and, when suitable, members of the COPAL Publishing Group editorial board. The editors are also committed to upholding the integrity of the blind review process, ensuring that the identities of both authors and reviewers remain undisclosed to one another.

 

When assessing a manuscript for publication, editors will evaluate not only the conventional criteria related to the manuscript’s rigor, presentation quality, and its contribution to the body of knowledge but will also thoroughly examine whether ethical harms associated with the reported research have been effectively mitigated. An essential consideration will be whether the benefits of the study outweigh any potential harms. Given that COPAL Publishing Group invites manuscript submissions from around the globe, it is imperative to acknowledge the variability in laws and regulations governing research ethics and ethical approval across different jurisdictions. Consequently, editors may find it necessary to seek further clarification from the author(s), including a requirement for a letter from the appropriate institutional ethics committee or board that has sanctioned the research.

 

In contemplating actions such as retraction, issuing expressions of concern, or making corrections to published articles, editors will adhere to CORE’s Guidelines for Retracting Articles. They are dedicated to fostering collaboration with research organizations and institutions, aligning their practices with CORE’s recommendations concerning cooperation between research institutions and journals in addressing research integrity issues.