Publication Ethics

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies (IJMRS)
ISSN: 2640-7272 | USA Based | Open Access | Peer Reviewed

The International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies (IJMRS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. The journal strictly follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to ensure integrity, transparency, and professional conduct throughout the publication process.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality & Plagiarism

  • Authors must submit only original research work.

  • All sources must be properly cited.

  • Plagiarism, in any form (including self-plagiarism), is strictly prohibited.

1.2 Data Accuracy

  • Authors must ensure that data presented in the manuscript is accurate and reliable.

  • Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is unethical and unacceptable.

1.3 Multiple or Redundant Submission

  • Manuscripts must not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously.

  • Redundant publication or splitting one study into multiple papers is discouraged.

1.4 Authorship

  • Only individuals who made significant contributions should be listed as authors.

  • All authors must approve the final manuscript before submission.

  • Changes in authorship after submission require written consent from all authors.

1.5 Acknowledgment of Sources

  • All cited work must be properly acknowledged.

  • Permissions must be obtained for reused or copyrighted material.

1.6 Ethical Approval

For studies involving:

  • Human participants

  • Animals

  • Sensitive data

Authors must provide evidence of ethical approval from appropriate institutional committees.

1.7 Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, academic, or personal conflicts of interest that may influence the research.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

2.1 Fair Evaluation

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, without bias based on gender, nationality, religion, or institutional affiliation.

2.2 Confidentiality

Editors must maintain confidentiality regarding:

  • Manuscripts

  • Reviewer identities

  • Author identities

  • Sensitive content

2.3 Conflict of Interest

Editors must not handle papers in which they have a personal or professional conflict.

2.4 Decision-Making

The Editor-in-Chief has full authority to accept or reject a manuscript based on:

  • Originality

  • Significance

  • Clarity

  • Ethical compliance

  • Reviewer recommendations

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

3.1 Confidentiality

Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents.

3.2 Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively, with clear, unbiased, and constructive feedback.

3.3 Ethical Considerations

Reviewers must:

  • Identify plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical concerns

  • Report any conflicts of interest

  • Decline review if they feel unqualified or unable to provide timely feedback

3.4 Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers assist editors in making informed publication decisions.

4. Handling Ethical Misconduct

IJMRS takes all forms of unethical behavior seriously. When misconduct is reported or detected:

4.1 Investigation

The editorial board will:

  • Review evidence

  • Communicate with involved parties

  • Follow COPE flowcharts for ethical decision-making

4.2 Possible Actions

Depending on severity, actions may include:

  • Rejection of the manuscript

  • Retraction of published articles

  • Publication of corrections or clarifications

  • Banning authors from future submissions

  • Notifying the author's institution

5. Retraction, Correction & Withdrawal Policy

5.1 Retraction

Articles may be retracted due to:

  • Plagiarism

  • Data fabrication/falsification

  • Significant errors

  • Ethical violations

5.2 Correction

Minor errors that do not affect the overall research integrity may be corrected via an Erratum.

5.3 Withdrawal

Pre-publication withdrawal is allowed upon author request.
Post-publication withdrawal is permitted only for valid ethical reasons.

6. Commitment to Transparency

IJMRS is committed to:

  • Inclusive and fair peer review

  • High-quality editorial processes

  • Ethical scholarly communication

  • Maintaining academic integrity of all published work