Publication Ethics and Malpractice

The MJSIR upholds a high standard of integrity and quality of scholarly work in the pursuit of contributing to the understanding of natural and human phenomena. Benguet State University holds the following fundamental principles of research integrity: (a) Honesty in research; (b) carefulness in research and extension; (c) openness; (d) proper crediting; (e) policy of “do no harm;” (f) public/social responsibility; (g) integrity; (h) responsible publication; and (i) responsibility in mentoring (REMO Chap. 11, Sec. 3, 2015).

Authors, referees, members of the Editorial Board, and the publisher are to practice publication ethics of this journal.

Authors. The most relevant objective of the author in publishing scholarly work is to provide an original, detailed and permanent record of research and therefore, these should be clear and accurate supported by data and analyses.

Authors are to practice honesty and rigor in the conduct of the research as well as in the composition of the research article. Articles should not contain false and incomplete information that may lead readers to misinformation or disinformation.

Authorship is defines as assigning responsibility and giving credit for intellectual work and is also a joint ownership from the contributions of different persons and shall be determined as follows: (a) by stipulation in the research contract; (b) by application of the policies for joint and sole ownership; and (c) through dispute resolution arbitrated by the University (REMO, Chap.11, Sec. 8, 2015).

Authorship. Authorship should be reflective of the contributions of the individuals involved in the research. All individuals who have made a substantial intellectual and major practical contributions to the research should be given authorship and acknowledgment should be given to whom it is due. Author’s intellectual and practical contribution can be measured using the criteria set under the University Ethics on Research and Extension (REMO, Chap. 11, Sec. 8.2, 2015).

Publication of Thesis/Dissertation. The student shall be the primary author and the adviser may be a co-author provided that the adviser merits the criteria for authorship and that authorship agreement has been forged between the student and adviser (REMO, Chap. 11, Sec. 8.4).

Reviewers. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and their extensive background in publications. It is their task to ensure that submitted research articles are significant to the field of study and that these follow methodological standards.

Reviewers are to practice scholarship and objectivity in the evaluation of the articles with the main goal of developing and improving the articles for publication. It is their responsibility to report to the Editor-in-Chief any discrepancy or show of unethical practice found in the article/s evaluated.

Reviewers shall avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest that might arise because of a direct competitive, collaborative or other close relationship with one or more authors of the materials under review. All materials under review is privileged information and these shall not be used for the benefit of the reviewer unless it has been previously made public (REMO, Chap. 11, Sec. 9, 2015).

Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is headed by the Editor-in-Chief and is responsible for making executive decisions regarding policies, processes, selection of referees and resolution of possible conflicts. Editors also make decisions on whether articles are to be published or not after due evaluation based on the editorial and publication policies of the MJSIR.

Ethical misconduct. In the case of unethical practice, the Editorial Board elevates the issue to the Research and Extension Executive Committee (REXECOM) after which, it will be deliberated by the University Research and Extension Ethics Review Board (UREERB) that gives the recommendations for corresponding actions. The REXECOM executes the action. (REMO Chap. 11, Sec. 13, 2015).

Comments. MJSIR accepts comments from readers, authors and reviewers on previous articles. These comments on articles previously published in the MJSIR will generally be reviewed by at least two reviewers—at least one of the authors and an independent reviewer. The comments will also undergo the same editorial process before it will be published. Also, the original author will be invited to reply if a comment is accepted for publication. Allegations of plagiarism reported by readers will be subjected to investigation.

Plagiarism. MJSIR reviews all contributions using proper plagiarism detection software. It permits similarity rating of no more than 15%. Depending on the rating and the pre-screening, the submitted manuscript will be rejected or authors will be given the option to resubmit. Readers, reviewers, and editors are to submit any allegations of plagiarism.

Policy on Conflicts of Interest and Funding. Authors need to declare any actual and potential conflicts of interest through a statement at the end of the article. A statement about the funding is also required as part of the acknowledgment. Editors and reviewers are also expected to disclose any potential conflict of interests that can affect the impartiality of decision or review and the integrity of a manuscript.

Policy on Other Complaints. MJSIR will investigate any other complaints in relation to infringements on the copyright or other intellectual property rights, material inaccuracies, libelous materials, or otherwise unlawful materials published in the journal discovered post-publication. If complaint is legitimate and well-founded and the author/s is/are found guilty, the article shall be subjected to the retraction policy.

Policy on Retraction. MJSIR can remove a published article from the digital file if fraudulent claims by the research, plagiarism, or serious errors in methodology not detected in the peer review and editorial process is discovered post-publication. MJSIR accepts any third-party complaints and will subject it for investigation and validation. The authors will be informed and allowed to present their side as part of the due process.

Policy on Use of Human Subjects in Research. The Journal will only publish research articles involving human subjects after the author(s) have verified that they have followed all laws and regulations concerning human subjects' protections. For research articles involving indigenous peoples, the journal will only publish after the author has indicated that prior informed consent or community approval for the research has been sought, and they have followed all laws and regulations required by the subject indigenous people or community. For clinical and medical-related studies and studies conducted on animals and studies requiring collection of specimens from protected areas: clearance from the ethics review board will be required to be submitted.

Transparency. MJSIR agrees to adhere to COPE's Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing | COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics.