The Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences (AJPSci) is dedicated to ensuring the publication of high-quality, reliable, and ethically sound research. This commitment is built on a robust foundation of publication ethics, which outlines the responsibilities of editors, authors, and reviewers to uphold the integrity of the scholarly publishing process. AJPSci adheres to internationally recognized standards set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). These guidelines guide our editorial and review processes, prevent misconduct, and help maintain scientific integrity.
Role and Responsibilities of Editors
Publication Decisions:
Editors have full authority to accept or reject submissions and are responsible for ensuring that only those manuscripts that meet the journal’s ethical and scientific standards are published. All decisions are made objectively based on the manuscript’s merit, quality, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope without influence from personal relationships, nationality, gender, institutional affiliations, or commercial interests.
Confidentiality:
Editors must maintain strict confidentiality of all submissions. Manuscripts and associated data are not to be shared, disclosed, or used for personal gain under any circumstances.
Editorial Independence:
Editors must operate free from external pressure or influence, including political, academic, or business interests. Any conflicts of interest must be declared and managed appropriately, and editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict.
Fair and Impartial Review:
Manuscripts must be assigned to suitably qualified reviewers with expertise in the subject matter. Editors must ensure that reviews are conducted impartially and ethically, and that the peer-review process remains unbiased and rigorous.
Ethical Oversight:
Editors are responsible for identifying potential misconduct, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, ethical violations, or undeclared conflicts of interest. If concerns arise, editors must act promptly to correct the scientific record, which may include issuing corrections, retractions, or contacting relevant institutions.
Role and Responsibilities of Authors
Research Ethics:
Authors must ensure that their research adheres to ethical standards. Research involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki, and studies involving animals must have prior approval from an appropriate ethics committee. Written informed consent must be obtained from participants, and ethical clearance documentation should be available upon request.
Originality and Plagiarism:
All submitted work must be original. Authors are required to appropriately cite all sources and avoid all forms of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. Reuse of previously published work without proper attribution or permission is not allowed.
Transparency and Data Sharing:
Authors should ensure transparency in methodology and data reporting. Data should be made available upon request to enable reproducibility, and authors must disclose all financial or non-financial conflicts of interest.
Ethical Reporting:
Authors are expected to report results honestly, regardless of the outcome. Manipulation of data, selective reporting, or misrepresentation of findings is unethical and unacceptable.
Authorship and Contributorship:
Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors. Contributions should be clearly acknowledged, and honorary or ghost authorship is not permitted. Authors must not outsource their research or pay third parties to conduct or write up the work.
Timeliness and Cooperation:
Authors are expected to complete revisions in a timely manner and respond to editorial or peer reviewer comments with integrity and cooperation. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal or rejection of the manuscript.
Role and Responsibilities of Reviewers
Ethical Considerations:
Reviewers must evaluate submissions fairly and confidentially. They should identify potential ethical breaches such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or conflicts of interest and report these to the editor.
Conflict of Interest:
If reviewers have any potential conflicts- financial, institutional, or personal then they must notify the editor and decline to review the manuscript.
Confidentiality:
Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents and should not use any part of the content for personal advantage or share it with others.
Objectivity and Constructiveness:
Reviewers must provide objective, well-structured, and constructive feedback. Criticisms should be respectful and aimed at improving the manuscript’s quality.
Timeliness:
Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe. If delays occur, reviewers must inform the editor promptly to avoid unnecessary publication delays.
Recommendations to Editors:
Reviewers should make clear, evidence-based recommendations regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection. Personal biases should not affect their judgment.
Research Misconduct and Malpractice
AJPSci considers research misconduct such as data fabrication, data falsification, citation manipulation, plagiarism, and unethical research practices a serious violation of academic standards. Misconduct may occur at any stage of research or publication. If misconduct is suspected, the journal will initiate an investigation in line with COPE guidelines.
If confirmed, AJPSci may take the following actions:
- Immediate rejection of the manuscript or retraction of a published article
- Notification of the author’s institution and funding bodies
- Temporary or permanent ban from future submissions
- Public correction or retraction notices to maintain the integrity of the record
All allegations will be treated seriously and handled confidentially, following due process to ensure fairness and objectivity. Authors may be asked to provide raw data, ethical clearance, and other documentation to support their submission. If misconduct is verified, the corresponding author will be contacted for clarification. Institutional authorities may also be involved where necessary.
Handling Grievances and Appeals
AJPSci provides a transparent and fair mechanism for handling complaints related to the editorial process, peer review, or publishing ethics. Complaints or appeals may be submitted regarding citation manipulation, editorial bias, peer review misconduct, or unfair rejections. All grievances will be directed to the designated authority and handled in accordance with COPE's dispute resolution framework.
Ethical Lapses and Risk Disclosure
Authors must declare any risks or use of hazardous materials involved in their research. Any use of sensitive data, tools, or techniques must be disclosed clearly. Upon request, authors must provide supporting legal and ethical documentation. The use of unauthorized data or procedures is strictly prohibited.
Commitment to Publication Integrity
AJPSci strives to uphold the highest standards in scientific publishing and will take necessary corrective actions including issuing corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, or author bans when errors or misconduct are detected. These measures are implemented to safeguard the accuracy and trustworthiness of the scholarly record.