Publication Ethics
The publication ethics is based on the guidelines for the journal developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Manuscripts submitted to International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management (IJBSM) are evaluated entirely based on their scientific merits. All possible measures are taken to uphold the highest standards of publication ethics and to prevent malpractices. Authors who submit papers to IJBSM must agree that their work is original and unpublished and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. In addition, authors confirm that the content has not been copied or plagiarized in whole or in part from other works. If the authors have used the works of others, the same has been appropriately cited or quoted.
Duties / Responsibilities of Editors
The Editorial team for publications is responsible for taking a decision on the selection of the manuscript submitted eligible for the journal. The Editors have complete discretion to reject/accept a manuscript. The Editorial team may confer/deliberate with other reviewers/editors in arriving at its decisions. The evaluation of manuscripts is made based on the scholarly and intellectual content without any biasness on the nature of the authors or the institution including gender, race, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors. The journal follows a policy of fair play in its editorial evaluation. The editors are expected to exercise caution and ensure that they have found no conflict of interest in respect to the articles they accept/reject. The editors and the editorial staff should follow strict confidentiality and should not disclose any information about the submitted manuscript to anyone.
Duties / Responsibilities of Reviewers
Editorial decisions are based on peer review. The reviewers are expected to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the contents of manuscripts. The reviews are to be conducted objectively and expected to express their views clearly with supporting reasons. The reviewers should have no conflict of interest with the authors and the subject matter of the research. The reviewers are required to identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any observation or argument which has been previously reported should also be accompanied along with the relevant citation. Similarities or overlaps between the manuscript under review and any other published paper of which the reviewer may have personal knowledge, may also be brought to be attention of the editors. The information or ideas obtained through peer review are of a privileged nature and must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage. Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative or other relationship with any of authors or institutions connected to the papers.
Duties/Responsibilities of the Authors
Authors are required to present an accurate account of the original research work and also an objective discussion of its significance. The paper should contain sufficient details of the literature and references. It is expected that all the authors have significantly contributed to the research. Fraudulent and knowingly made inaccurate statement constitutes unethical behaviour and would be unacceptable. Authors are required to ensure that the submitted work is original and has not been published elsewhere, and if the authors have used the work of others the same has been appropriately cited or quoted. Applicable copyright laws and conventions are required to be followed. Copyright materials should be reproduced only with permission and due acknowledgement. Authors are not expected to submit manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently would constitute unethical practice and would be unacceptable. Proper acknowledgement of the work of others must always be made. Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the paper which is submitted for publication. Authors participated in certain substantive aspects in the development of the paper should also be acknowledged. The corresponding author is required to ensure that all co-authors are included in the paper, and that the co-authors have seen and approved the final version of the paper and have agreed to its submission for publication. All sources of financial support should also be disclosed. Upon discovery of any significant error in the published work, it is the responsibility of the authors to promptly notify the editors and cooperate in the retraction or correction of the paper.
Research Misconduct
Editors must take reasonable steps to identify and prevent the publication of papers involving research misconduct. Under no circumstances should a journal or its editors promote or knowingly allow such misconduct. If the editors become aware of any allegations of research misconduct, they must address these concerns appropriately. The editorial board is responsible for taking necessary actions to retract or correct articles when required. Publishers and editors should be committed to publishing corrections, clarifications, retractions, and apologies when necessary.
If misconduct is discovered in a published article, the Editor will follow COPE’s guidelines to handle the allegations appropriately.
Authorship and Contributor Guidelines
We expect all listed authors to be in mutual agreement regarding authorship and to meet disciplinary standards. No individuals who qualify as authors should be omitted.
All listed authors must take responsibility for the integrity of the work and be accountable for its content. In cases of authorship disputes or change requests (including order or designation) at any stage of the publishing process, we will follow relevant COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, including flowcharts and case precedents, to determine the appropriate course of action. If such changes raise concerns about the broader integrity of the work, further investigation may be conducted.
Authorship Criteria
Prospective authors should refer to the specific journal’s publishing ethics policies for additional criteria. Where none are specified, authorship should be based on the following principles:*
- Substantial contributions to the conception, design, acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data;
- Drafting or revising the work critically for intellectual content;
- Final approval of the version to be published;
- Accountability for all aspects of the work, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
[*As outlined by COPE guidelines for authorship: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/flowchart/authorship-and-contributorship-published-data-dealing-concerns]
Corresponding Author Responsibilities
The corresponding author is responsible for:
- Managing manuscript corrections, proofreading, and resubmissions until acceptance;
- Signing the Author Publishing Agreement on behalf of co-authors and obtaining necessary third-party copyright permissions;
- Handling article processing charges (APCs) or requesting waivers where applicable;
- Responding to post-publication queries, including those related to ethics, reuse, and data availability.
Requests to change the corresponding author after submission will be subject to the same scrutiny as other authorship changes.
Contributorship
Individuals who do not meet authorship criteria but contributed to the research or manuscript (e.g., research assistance, writing support) should be acknowledged with permission.
Authorship Disputes
We support editors in resolving authorship disputes, which may include consulting COPE, referring cases to institutions, or seeking expert advice. COPE provides extensive resources on authorship disputes, and we encourage editors and authors to familiarize themselves with these materials.
Author Name Changes
We are committed to inclusive and equitable publishing practices. Authors may request name changes in published articles, with or without a formal notice, according to their preference. All changes will include a ‘last updated’ footnote. This applies only to metadata and does not extend to citations, in-content references, or third-party content.
To request a name change, contact publisher@pphouse.org.
AI Contributions to Research Content
AI usage in research must be transparently declared and clearly explained in publications. AI and large language models (LLMs) do not meet authorship requirements due to the necessity of human accountability. Therefore, AI cannot be listed as an author on any scholarly work.
Authors are responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including any AI-generated content. AI use must not violate plagiarism policies, and all scholarly works must properly cite and reference any external sources.
Complaints and Appeals
The journal refers to COPE guidelines in handling complaints and appeals. The journal has a clear, transparent process for addressing complaints about the journal, its staff, editorial board, or publisher, covering issues such as misconduct by editors or peer reviewers, disputes over decisions like retractions, and administrative concerns. The complaints are to be handled promptly, fairly, and objectively, in line with the journal’s stated policy, while ensuring neutral and professional communication. The process may involve an independent oversight committee to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure impartial investigation. Any complain or appeal will be directed to the Chief Editor of the journal.
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest include situations that may not be immediately obvious but could influence the judgment of authors, reviewers, and editors. They are defined as circumstances that, if disclosed later, might lead a reasonable reader to feel misled or deceived (COPE, 2000).
Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the editor during submission. If a conflict exists, it will be acknowledged in the final publication if the manuscript is accepted. However, a potential conflict does not automatically lead to rejection.
Reviewers must also declare any conflicts of interest when invited to review a manuscript. The presence of a conflict does not necessarily disqualify the reviewer or invalidate their report.
Editors and members of the Editorial Board may submit papers to the journal but must adhere to the same conflict of interest policies as authors. If an editor submits a manuscript, they will not participate in its editorial or review process. Editors must recuse themselves from handling a manuscript if they have a conflict of interest.
Data Sharing and Reproducibility
Data sharing and reproducibility are very crucial in journal management. Ensuring transparency, replicability, and trust in research requires proper data handling. COPE’s Core Practices emphasize open data access, reproducibility, ownership, anonymity, sharing policies, repositories, and security. Aligning with FAIR Data Principles, research institutions play a critical role in managing public-funded data and fostering cultural shifts toward open data. Policy updates must consider IP, technology transfer, and responsible research evaluation (e.g., DORA). Institutions should incentivize transparency, audit compliance, and provide diverse training formats, such as RCR programs, workshops, and professional development. Dedicated staff and investments in research offices and libraries are essential for sustainable data management.
Authors are encouraged to follow COPE guidelines available at https://publicationethics.org/news-opinion/data-and-reproducibility-role-research-institutions
Ethical Oversight
COPE’s general statement on this core practice reads as follows:
“Ethical oversight should include, but is not limited to, policies on consent to publication, publication on vulnerable populations, ethical conduct of research using animals, ethical conduct of research using human subjects, handling confidential data and of business/marketing practices.”
We uphold the highest standards of publication ethics, recognizing that ethical research practices extend beyond the integrity, reliability, and merit of published work to include respect and consideration for research subjects. Our commitment to ethical publishing requires that researchers take appropriate measures to protect the privacy, dignity, and safety of human subjects, ensure the proper care and treatment of animal subjects, comply with all relevant laws and regulations, and safeguard sensitive or confidential information.
Responsibilities of Editors and Publishers As gatekeepers of the scientific literature, our editors and publishers play a critical role in maintaining ethical standards. We align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and utilize its resources to support ethical decision-making in publication.
Ethical Guidelines for Research Conduct Journals published under [Journal Name] must establish and publicly share clear ethical guidelines for research conduct. These guidelines should cover essential topics such as informed consent, institutional oversight, and adherence to international research standards. Since ethical considerations vary across disciplines, journals must consult and incorporate the specific ethical norms and regulations relevant to their field.
Ethical Review of Submitted Work All submitted manuscripts undergo thorough review to ensure compliance with ethical research guidelines. Editors may need to evaluate issues related to the adequacy of consent, the necessity of ethical review, and other challenging ethical considerations. In cases where clarity is needed, journals may refer the matter to the COPE Forum or seek guidance from the COPE Council.
Addressing Ethical Concerns in Published Research Journals under [Journal Name] must establish a clear process for investigating ethical concerns raised about published studies. If ethical issues arise in a submitted or published manuscript, editors should refer to COPE’s flowchart for guidance in addressing the concerns appropriately and transparently.
By maintaining rigorous ethical standards, we ensure that the research published in our journal adheres to the highest principles of integrity and responsibility.
Authors may visit https://publicationethics.org/news-opinion/ethical-oversight
Intellectual Property and Publishing Policy
The seventh of COPE’s ten Core Practices is about intellectual property. It states:
“All policies on intellectual property, including copyright and publishing licenses, should be clearly described. In addition, any costs associated with publishing should be obvious to authors and readers. Policies should be clear on what counts as prepublication that will preclude consideration. What constitutes plagiarism and redundant/overlapping publication should be specified”.
The journal is committed to upholding intellectual property rights while ensuring transparency in our publishing practices. We recognize the importance of protecting authors' rights and clearly outlining our policies regarding copyright, licensing, and access.
Our policies specify whether authors may upload accepted manuscripts or final published versions to institutional or subject-based repositories.
We encourage authors to review our intellectual property policies on our website and contact us with any questions regarding their rights and obligations.
For further details, read the guidelines.
Post-publication Discussions and Corrections
Our journal acknowledges the importance of post-publication discussions in maintaining the integrity of scientific research. We welcome such discussions, which are subject to review and typically accompanied by a response from the original authors.
Submission Guidelines
For detailed submission criteria and the peer review process related to post-publication discussions, authors should refer to the instructions available on the respective journal’s website.
Addressing Post-Publication Matters
To uphold research integrity, the journal investigates concerns raised by authors or readers. Authors are always given an opportunity to respond to any complaints or comments. When necessary, reviewers may be asked to examine original data and consult relevant experts to facilitate a thorough investigation. Depending on the severity of the issue, the following actions may be taken:
- If serious concerns, such as fraud or academic misconduct, are identified, the author’s institution may be notified.
- The journal remains impartial and does not target individuals. If an institutional investigation report is publicly available, readers may be directed to it.
- Given the time required for a complete investigation, the journal may issue an Editor’s Note or an Editorial Expression of Concern (EEoC), as recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to inform readers about the raised concerns. These notifications are updated or replaced with a corrigendum or retraction once a final decision is made.
