1. Authorship and Contribution

1.1 Criteria for Authorship:

– Authors must have significantly contributed to the research design, data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation.

– All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for the content.

1.2 Order of Authors:

– The order of authors should reflect each individual’s contribution to the work.

– Disputes about authorship order should be resolved by the corresponding author or a designated mediator.

1.3 Acknowledgments:

– Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet the authorship criteria should be acknowledged with their permission.

2. Plagiarism and Originality

2.1 Plagiarism Prohibition:

– Manuscripts must be original and not plagiarized. Proper citation of all sources is mandatory.

– The journal employs plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions.

2.2 Self-Plagiarism:

– Republishing substantial portions of one’s own previously published work without proper citation is not allowed.

3. Data Integrity and Transparency

3.1 Accurate Reporting:

– Researchers must report their data truthfully and transparently. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is prohibited.

3.2 Data Sharing:

– Authors should be prepared to share their raw data upon request, ensuring confidentiality and privacy concerns are addressed.

3.3 Data Management Plans:

– A data management plan outlining data storage, preservation, and sharing methods should be included with submissions.

4. Conflict of Interest

4.1 Disclosure Requirements:

– Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional interests that could influence their research.

4.2 Management of Conflicts:

– Potential conflicts of interest must be managed according to journal guidelines to maintain objectivity and transparency.

5. Ethical Considerations

5.1 :Human Subjects Research:

– Research involving human subjects must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and include informed consent from participants.

5.2 :Animal Research:

– Research involving animals must be approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and adhere to ethical treatment guidelines.

5.3 Ethical Compliance:

– All research must comply with ethical standards and guidelines relevant to the field of study.

6. Peer Review Process

6.1 Fair and Impartial Review:

– All submissions will undergo a rigorous, double-blind peer review by qualified experts to ensure the quality and validity of the research.

6.2 Reviewer Confidentiality:

– Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential and not use the information for personal advantage.

6.3 Reviewer Responsibilities:

– Reviewers should provide constructive feedback and disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their review.

7. Open Access and Copyright

7.1 Open Access Policy:

– The journal supports open access to research findings, subject to any applicable fees and funding requirements.

7.2 Copyright and Licensing:

– Authors should retain copyright to their work and grant the journal a license to distribute the published material under a Creative Commons license.

7.3 Institutional Repository:

– Authors are encouraged to deposit their published work in the university’s institutional repository.

8. Publication and Dissemination

8.1 Timely Publication:

– The journal aims to publish research findings promptly, ensuring timely dissemination to the academic community and the public.

8.2 Dissemination Channels:

– Research will be disseminated through the journal’s website, reputable academic databases, and other appropriate channels.

9. Retractions and Corrections

9.1 Correction of Errors:

– Authors must promptly correct any significant errors discovered post-publication. Corrections should be clearly indicated and linked to the original publication.

9.2 Retraction Policy:

– In cases of significant error, fraud, or unethical behavior, the publication may be retracted following the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. Retractions must be clearly indicated and reasons provided.

10. Training and Education

10.1 Responsible Conduct of Research:

– The journal will provide ongoing training in research ethics and publication standards for authors, reviewers, and editors.

10.2 Workshops and Seminars:

– Regular workshops and seminars will be organized to educate researchers on best practices in research and publication ethics.

11. Compliance and Enforcement

11.1 Compliance Monitoring:

– The journal will regularly monitor compliance with this policy and take appropriate action in cases of non-compliance.

11.2 :Disciplinary Actions

– Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including retraction of publications, suspension of publication privileges, and reporting to relevant authorities.

12. Policy Review and Updates

12.1 Regular Review

– This policy will be reviewed regularly by the editorial board to ensure it remains current and effective.

12.2 Amendments:

– Any amendments to this policy must be approved by the editorial board and communicated to all stakeholders.

By adhering to this policy, Desh Bhagat University Publications aims to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and contribute to the advancement of knowledge responsibly and ethically.