Publication Ethics

Innovations in Science, Technology, and Society (ISTS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior in every stage of the publication process. Our ethical policies are based on internationally recognized guidelines, including those set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other relevant bodies. We believe that ethical publishing fosters trust among authors, editors, reviewers, readers, and society as a whole, ensuring that the scholarly record remains accurate, transparent, and credible.

1. Authorship and Contributions

  • Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.

  • All authors should be able to take public responsibility for the content and must approve the final manuscript before submission.

  • The corresponding author must ensure that all legitimate contributors are listed and that no undeserving individuals are included (no “gift” or “ghost” authorship).

  • Any changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and justified to the editorial office.

2. Originality, Plagiarism, and Duplicate Publication

  • Submitted manuscripts must be the authors’ own original work and must not have been published previously in any form or language.

  • Manuscripts under consideration elsewhere, in whole or in part, will not be accepted.

  • ISTS uses reliable plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions. Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, text recycling, and unauthorized use of others’ work will result in immediate rejection and possible reporting to the author’s institution.

3. Data Integrity and Transparency

  • Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed and provide sufficient details and references to allow others to replicate the research.

  • Fabrication, falsification, selective reporting, or manipulation of data and images are unacceptable and constitute serious misconduct.

  • Authors may be required to submit raw data for editorial review and should retain such data for at least five years after publication.

4. Conflicts of Interest and Funding Disclosure

  • Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest—financial, professional, or personal—that could influence the interpretation of results.

  • All sources of funding, institutional support, and relevant affiliations must be clearly stated in the manuscript.

5. Ethical Research Standards

  • Research involving human participants must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and must have been approved by an appropriate institutional ethics committee.

  • Informed consent must be obtained from all participants, and privacy must be protected.

  • Research involving animals must follow internationally recognized guidelines for humane treatment and care.

  • Studies involving sensitive data or high-risk technologies must address safety, security, and societal implications.

6. Peer Review Process

  • ISTS employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure impartiality, confidentiality, and objectivity.

  • Reviewers are expected to provide constructive feedback, declare conflicts of interest, and maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscripts.

  • Editorial decisions are based solely on the manuscript’s scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

7. Misconduct Investigation and Corrective Actions

  • Allegations of misconduct, whether raised before or after publication, will be investigated promptly and fairly.

  • Possible actions include manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, expressions of concern, or retraction of published articles.

  • In cases of proven misconduct, ISTS reserves the right to inform relevant institutions, funders, and other journals.

By adhering to these ethical principles, Innovations in Science, Technology, and Society aims to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and scholarly excellence in academic publishing.