Publication Ethics Policy

The Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine is committed to maintaining integrity and excellence in scholarly publishing. Our Publication Ethics Policy aligns with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other recognized international standards. This policy sets forth the ethical expectations for authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher, ensuring that the journal remains a trusted source of reliable scientific knowledge.

Objectives of the Policy

The objectives of the Publication Ethics Policy are to:

• Preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.
• Promote responsible conduct in research and publishing.
• Prevent misconduct such as plagiarism, data falsification, or duplicate publication.
• Ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability at all stages of the editorial process.
• Protect the rights and responsibilities of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Author Responsibilities

• Originality: Authors must submit only original manuscripts not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
• Accuracy: Results must be reported truthfully, with no fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation.
• Transparency: All sources, references, and influences must be cited appropriately.
• Authorship Criteria: Authorship is limited to individuals who made substantial contributions to the research and manuscript preparation.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their work.
• Ethical Compliance: Research involving humans, animals, or sensitive data must include evidence of ethical approval and consent.

Reviewer Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts under review.
• Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
• Identify potential ethical breaches, including plagiarism, data fabrication, or undeclared conflicts of interest.
• Recuse themselves if they lack expertise or face conflicts of interest.
• Respect authorship and avoid misusing privileged information obtained during review.

Editor Responsibilities

• Make editorial decisions impartially, based solely on the manuscript’s scholarly merit.
• Protect confidentiality of submissions and reviewer identities.
• Ensure fair and timely peer review.
• Investigate allegations of misconduct transparently and responsibly.
• Issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when appropriate.

Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher safeguards editorial independence, supports the integrity of the scientific record, and ensures compliance with international best practices. The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions and collaborates with editors to address ethical issues in accordance with COPE recommendations.

Research Integrity and Misconduct

The journal defines misconduct as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, redundant publication, and undeclared conflicts of interest. Allegations of misconduct are investigated rigorously. Sanctions may include rejection of manuscripts, retraction of published work, reporting to institutions or funders, and bans on future submissions.

Data Sharing and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to share underlying data and materials whenever possible. This promotes reproducibility and transparency. Datasets and supplementary material may be deposited in institutional or subject repositories with persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs). Statements about data availability must be included in the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed by authors, reviewers, and editors. Transparency about financial, institutional, or personal relationships prevents undue influence on scientific judgment. Where conflicts are identified, appropriate steps are taken to mitigate their impact on editorial decisions.

Corrections and Retractions

Errors that do not compromise the validity of findings are corrected with errata. Retractions are issued for serious breaches, such as fabricated data or plagiarism. Expressions of concern may be published when investigations are ongoing. All corrections and retractions are linked to the original article to preserve transparency.

Handling Complaints and Appeals

Complaints about editorial processes, peer review, or ethical concerns are investigated confidentially and resolved according to COPE procedures. Authors may appeal decisions if they believe reviews were biased or flawed. Appeals are reviewed by an independent editor not involved in the original decision.

Adherence to COPE Guidelines

The journal follows COPE’s Core Practices, including:

• Clear authorship and contributorship criteria.
• Rigorous peer review processes.
• Transparent handling of conflicts of interest.
• Detailed policies on corrections and retractions.
• Ethical oversight of human and animal research.

Education and Awareness

The journal supports education about ethical practices in publishing. Early-career researchers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with COPE and ICMJE guidelines. By fostering awareness, we aim to prevent unintentional breaches and promote a culture of integrity.

Conclusion

The Publication Ethics Policy represents our ongoing commitment to integrity in research and publishing. Upholding these principles requires collaboration among authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher. Together, we protect the trustworthiness of the scientific record and contribute to the advancement of biotechnology and biomedicine.