Disaster and Resilience is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards at every stage of the publication process. The integrity of the academic record is a top priority, and the journal adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The following ethical guidelines apply to authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher, ensuring that all parties involved in the publication process conduct themselves with the utmost responsibility and integrity.
1. Duties of Authors
- Reporting Standards
Authors are expected to present an accurate account of their research and objectively discuss its significance. Data should be represented truthfully in the manuscript, ensuring sufficient detail and references are provided to allow others to replicate the work. Misrepresentation of results or deliberate inaccuracies constitute unethical behavior and are not acceptable. - Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their works are entirely original. If the authors have used the work or words of others, these must be appropriately cited or quoted. Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. The journal uses plagiarism detection software (Turnitin) to check for originality, and submissions exceeding a 25% similarity threshold will be returned for revision or rejected. - Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is considered unethical publishing behavior. Authors must certify that their manuscript is not being considered for publication elsewhere. - Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is mandatory. Authors should cite all publications that have influenced their research, and any data, methods, or texts derived from other sources should be credited. - Authorship of the Paper
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have contributed significantly to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All contributors who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and have agreed to its submission for publication. - Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
All authors must disclose any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that might influence the interpretation of their results. Any sources of financial support for the project must be disclosed in the manuscript. - Fundamental Errors in Published Works
Suppose an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work. In that case, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate in the retraction or correction of the paper.
2. Duties of Reviewers
- Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer review is crucial in assisting the editorial team in making informed decisions and helping authors improve their manuscripts. Reviewers must provide thorough, constructive, and timely feedback based on their expertise. - Promptness
Suppose a reviewer feels unqualified to assess the research presented in a manuscript or cannot complete the review promptly. In that case, they must promptly notify the editor and withdraw from the review process. - Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share or discuss the manuscript with others except as authorized by the editor. - Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should provide clear, well-supported arguments to substantiate their manuscript assessments. - Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that the authors have not cited. If reviewers know of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and another published work, they should inform the editor. - Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must not consider manuscripts with conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, institutions, or funding agencies related to the work.
3. Duties of Editors
- Publication Decisions
The editor is responsible for deciding which of the submitted manuscripts should be published. The decision must be based on the manuscript’s relevance, originality, clarity, and alignment with the journal’s scope. The editor may consult with reviewers or other editors in this decision-making process. - Fair Play
Manuscripts are evaluated solely based on their intellectual content, without regard to the author's race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnicity, nationality, or political philosophy. - Confidentiality
The editor and any editorial staff must not disclose information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, or other editorial advisors. Any use of unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript for the editor’s research requires the author's express written consent. - Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Editors must recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which conflicts of interest result from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors or institutions connected to the work.
4. Duties of Publishers
- Ethical Oversight
The publisher ensures that Disaster and Resilience follows industry-recognized ethical standards for academic publishing. The publisher collaborates with the editorial team to prevent and address research misconduct, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest, following COPE’s guidelines. - Handling of Unethical Behavior
In cases where unethical publishing behavior is suspected or reported, the publisher, in collaboration with the editor, will take appropriate action to investigate and resolve the issue. This may include retraction, correction, or expressions of concern under COPE’s Retraction Guidelines.