Research Ethics Policy

At Incessant Nature Science Publishers, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in the publication of medical and scientific research. Our Research Ethics Policy outlines the principles and practices we expect from authors, editors, reviewers, and all parties involved in the publication process. This policy ensures that all research published under our banner is conducted and reported in a manner that maintains the integrity of the scientific record, respects human and animal rights, and adheres to ethical standards.

Principles of Research Ethics

1. Honesty and Transparency
   • Research findings must be presented accurately, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.
   • Authors must report their methodologies, results, and interpretations with clarity and honesty.
   • Full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest must be provided.
2. Originality
   • All research submitted for publication must be original, not previously published, and free from plagiarism.
   • Authors are expected to properly attribute and cite all sources, theories, or data used in their work.
   • Duplicate submissions to multiple journals or books are prohibited unless transparency is maintained, and proper permissions are sought.
3. Authorship and Contributions
   • Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the research, including conceptualization, methodology, data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation.
   • All authors must agree to the submitted manuscript and be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work.
   • Ghost-writing and guest authorship are strictly prohibited.
4. Human and Animal Research
   • Human Research: All research involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and any applicable local and national regulations. Informed consent must be obtained from participants, and their confidentiality and privacy must be protected.
   • Animal Research: Research involving animals must follow the 3Rs Principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) and conform to guidelines such as the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals. Ethical approval from relevant committees is required for all animal studies.
5. Ethical Approval
   • All research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must receive ethical approval from a recognized institutional review board or ethics committee prior to submission.
   • A clear statement of ethical approval, including the committee’s name and approval number, must be provided in the manuscript.
6. Conflict of Interest
   • Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the research process or publication decisions.
   • Funding sources, institutional affiliations, and any other potential influences on the research should be transparently disclosed.

Responsibilities of Authors

• Ensure the accuracy and originality of their research.
• Disclose all sources of funding and any potential conflicts of interest.
• Properly attribute contributions to the research and writing process.
• Obtain ethical approval for research involving human or animal subjects.
• Correct significant errors in their published work by informing the editorial team.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Ensure that all submissions undergo fair, unbiased peer review by qualified experts.
• Uphold confidentiality throughout the submission and review process.
• Identify and address potential conflicts of interest involving authors, reviewers, or themselves.
• Consider ethical concerns when making publication decisions, and take action if ethical breaches are identified.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Provide objective, fair, and constructive feedback on submitted manuscripts.
• Maintain confidentiality of all manuscript details during and after the review process.
• Declare any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an impartial review.
• Notify editors of any suspected ethical breaches, such as plagiarism or falsification of data.

Data Integrity and Access

• Authors must retain and provide access to raw data, if requested, for editorial review or post-publication inquiries.
• Data should be presented clearly and without manipulation, allowing others to verify and replicate findings.

Plagiarism and Misconduct

• Plagiarism Detection: All submissions are subject to plagiarism detection. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism will be rejected outright.
• Research Misconduct: Any instances of data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation will be treated as research misconduct and will result in rejection, retraction, or other corrective actions. Misconduct may be reported to the authors’ institutions and funding bodies.

Corrections and Retractions

In cases where significant errors or ethical violations are identified post-publication, Incessant Nature Science Publishers follows a strict retraction and correction policy. Authors are obligated to cooperate with the editorial team in correcting errors or retracting articles when necessary.

Ethical Oversight and Compliance

Incessant Nature Science Publishers follows the ethical standards set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and adheres to the principles outlined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). All stakeholders involved in the publication process are expected to comply with these guidelines to ensure the integrity of the scientific record.

Retraction Policy

At Incessant Nature Science Publishers, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and transparency in all our publications. Our retraction policy outlines the process for handling research that is found to be flawed, fraudulent, or ethically compromised. The goal of this policy is to safeguard the accuracy and trustworthiness of the medical and scientific record.

Grounds for Retraction

A retraction may be considered under the following circumstances:

1. Scientific Misconduct or Fraud: Includes falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism of data.
2. Errors in Data or Analysis: Serious methodological errors or misinterpretation of data that invalidates the findings.
3. Ethical Violations: Violations of ethical standards, such as failure to obtain necessary approvals (e.g., from ethics boards) or informed consent, or violations of patient confidentiality.
4. Duplicate Publication: Instances where the research has been published elsewhere without proper attribution or authorization.
5. Authorship Disputes: Significant issues regarding authorship that cannot be resolved.

Retraction Process

1. Initiation of Retraction: Retractions may be initiated by the authors, editors, or through concerns raised by readers, reviewers, or institutions. Upon receiving a request or discovering concerns, the editorial board will conduct a thorough investigation.
2. Investigation: The editorial board, along with external experts (if needed), will evaluate the validity of the claims. The corresponding author will be contacted to provide explanations or evidence to resolve the concerns.
3. Decision to Retract: If the investigation confirms that the paper is seriously flawed, fraudulent, or unethical, the editorial board will decide on the retraction. In cases of honest errors, a correction may be issued instead of a full retraction.
4. Retraction Notice: A formal retraction notice will be published in the journal or book where the original work appeared. The notice will:
   • Clearly state that the article/book is retracted.
   • Provide the reasons for the retraction, citing specific issues such as fraud, errors, or ethical breaches.
   • Include a link to the original article, which will be watermarked with “Retracted” but remain accessible for transparency.
5. Notification to Stakeholders: The authors, institutions, and relevant stakeholders will be notified of the retraction. Where applicable, databases and indexing services will also be informed to update their records.

Corrections vs. Retractions

In some cases, issues with a publication may not require a full retraction. Minor errors or clarifications that do not invalidate the main findings may result in a correction rather than a retraction. The decision between issuing a correction or a retraction will be made based on the severity of the issue.

Appeals

Authors have the right to appeal a retraction decision if they believe it was made in error. Appeals must be submitted in writing, providing supporting evidence or documentation. The editorial board will review the appeal and make a final decision.

Ethical Responsibility

Incessant Nature Science Publishers follows the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We are committed to upholding ethical standards in all our publishing practices and take retraction decisions seriously to ensure the integrity of the scientific and medical literature.

Peer Review Process

At Incessant Nature Science Publishers (INS), we adhere to the highest standards of peer review, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Our peer review process is designed to ensure the publication of high-quality, reliable, and original research. Each manuscript submitted to our journals undergoes a rigorous evaluation by expert reviewers.

Double-Blind Peer Review

Incessant Nature employs a Double-Blind Peer Review process, ensuring the anonymity of both the authors and reviewers. This process eliminates potential bias, allowing for objective and unbiased assessment of the research. Neither the authors nor the reviewers know each other’s identities, maintaining the integrity of the review process.

Steps of the Peer Review Process

1. Initial Manuscript Evaluation
   Once a manuscript is submitted, the editorial team conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether it meets the basic requirements of the journal, including relevance, scope, and adherence to submission guidelines. Manuscripts that fail to meet these criteria may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected without further review.
2. Assignment of Reviewers
   If the manuscript passes the initial evaluation, it is assigned to at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field. These reviewers are chosen based on their subject matter expertise and experience in the topic area of the manuscript.
3. Evaluation Criteria
   Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following key criteria:
   • Originality: The uniqueness and novelty of the research.
   • Methodology: The soundness and appropriateness of the research methods used.
   • Data Integrity: Accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of the data presented.
   • Analysis: Coherence, depth, and logic in the interpretation of results.
   • Clarity and Style: The quality of writing, grammar, and ability to communicate findings effectively.
4. Review Timeline
   The peer review process typically takes between 4-6 weeks. During this period, reviewers thoroughly assess the manuscript and provide feedback. In some cases, additional rounds of review may be required to ensure that all concerns are addressed and the manuscript meets publication standards.
5. Reviewer Feedback
   Once the reviewers have completed their evaluation, they submit their comments and recommendations to the editor. Manuscripts may be:
   • Accepted without Revision: If the manuscript meets all the required standards.
   • Accepted with Minor Revisions: Authors are required to make minor changes to address specific concerns.
   • Accepted with Major Revisions: Substantial changes are required, and the manuscript may undergo another round of review after revision.
   • Rejected: If the manuscript does not meet the required standards for publication.
6. Decision by Editors
   The final decision on whether to accept or reject a manuscript is made by the journal’s editorial team, based on the reviewers’ recommendations. The decision is communicated to the authors, along with the reviewers’ comments and suggestions for improvement.

Submission of Revised Manuscripts

If revisions are requested, authors are expected to:

• Provide a point-by-point response to the reviewers’ comments, detailing how each issue has been addressed.
• Highlight changes made to the manuscript, using underlining, bold text, or a different color to indicate revised sections.
• Revised manuscripts must be resubmitted within the timeline specified by the editorial office.

Page Proofs

Before publication, authors will receive page proofs of their manuscript. During this stage, authors are required to:

• Review the proofs carefully to ensure all content, tables, figures, and formatting are correct.
• Respond to any editorial queries.
• Return corrected proofs to the editorial office within 72 hours.

Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected based on:

• Subject Matter Expertise: Experts in the field relevant to the manuscript.
• Impartiality: Reviewers are screened for potential conflicts of interest.
• Commitment to Quality: Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, objective, and timely feedback.

Reviewer Anonymity and Confidentiality

• All reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscripts they are reviewing. Reviewers are prohibited from sharing or discussing the manuscript with anyone other than the editorial team.
• Authors’ identities are concealed from reviewers to ensure an unbiased review process.

Corrections and Appeals

If authors believe that a manuscript was unfairly rejected, they have the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing, along with a detailed explanation of why the authors believe the decision should be reconsidered. The editorial board will review the appeal and may seek further input from the original reviewers or additional experts before making a final decision.

Transparency and Integrity

Incessant Nature Science Publishers is committed to maintaining transparency in all aspects of the peer review process. We strive to foster a culture of ethical research, constructive feedback, and collaboration between authors, reviewers, and editors.

Licensing Page

At Incessant Nature Science Publishers, all published articles are open access and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This means that authors retain ownership of their work while allowing others to share, use, and adapt it, provided proper credit is given.

• Copyright © 2024 Incessant Nature Science Publishers.
• This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit Creative Commons License 4.0.

Terms of Use

• Reuse: Anyone can copy, distribute, remix, transform, and build upon the work for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as the original authors and source are properly credited.
• Modifications: Users are free to modify the content but must clearly indicate if changes were made, and they cannot imply that the original authors endorse the changes.

This licensing policy fosters knowledge sharing and innovation, ensuring that scientific contributions can be widely disseminated while preserving authorship rights.

Permissions / Conflict of Interest Policy / Copyright

At Incessant Nature Science Publishers, we maintain full transparency in all our publishing activities. Our Permissions, Conflict of Interest, and Copyright Policy is designed to ensure ethical conduct, proper attribution, and transparency regarding the use of published material.

Permissions

• Permission to Reproduce Material: Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to use third-party materials, including images, tables, or figures. The permission must explicitly allow for reproduction in an open-access journal under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
• Attribution Requirements: If third-party material is included under a different licensing arrangement, it must be clearly attributed, and appropriate permissions must be sought before submission.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Incessant Nature Science Publishers follows the ICMJE’s Conflict of Interest Policy and expects all authors to disclose any conflicts that might influence the interpretation or reporting of their research.

• Declaration of Interests: Authors must disclose any relationships (financial or otherwise) with individuals, organizations, or companies that could potentially affect their objectivity. This includes consultancies, employment, ownership of stocks, paid expert testimony, patents, or travel grants.
• Funding Disclosure: All sources of funding for the research must be clearly stated in the manuscript.
• Transparency for Reviewers: The “Declaration of Interests” and “Acknowledgements” sections are available to reviewers, ensuring transparency throughout the review process.

Non-Disclosure Penalty: Failure to disclose conflicts of interest may result in the manuscript’s rejection or retraction, based on the COPE guidelines.

Copyright Page

All articles published by Incessant Nature Science Publishers are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This allows others to freely share, distribute, and adapt the work, provided proper attribution is given to the original authors.

Copyright Terms

• Open Access: Articles published are available under an open-access model, meaning they are freely accessible to the public immediately upon publication. Authors retain copyright but grant broad permissions for reuse, with appropriate credit.
• Attribution: Users must attribute the work by citing the original authors and the journal in which it was published. Proper citation ensures that authors receive credit for their work and maintains the integrity of the research.

Restrictions

• Non-Endorsement Clause: Users cannot imply that the authors or publishers endorse modifications made to the work or its subsequent use.

Sample Citation for Attribution:
Last Name, First Name, et al. “Title of Article.” Journal Name, Incessant Nature Science Publishers, Year, DOI. License: CC BY 4.0.

Copyright of Material

Responsibility of Authors

• Copyright Ownership: As an author, you retain the copyright of your article upon publication, but the article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. This provides flexibility and wide dissemination while protecting the rights of the original creators.
• Use of Third-Party Material: Authors are solely responsible for obtaining permissions to reproduce material (e.g., figures, tables, images) owned by third parties. This permission must cover the use of such material under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Seeking Permission for Third-Party Materials

Since obtaining permissions can be time-consuming, authors are advised to initiate this process as early as possible. Third-party material includes:

• Images or graphics from other publications.
• Excerpts of text exceeding fair use.
• Any proprietary material that does not fall under public domain or open-access licenses.

When requesting permission, ensure that it includes:

• Permission to reproduce the material in an open-access format under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.
• Clear attribution: Include details on how the original material will be credited.