Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

Digitus: Journal of Computer Science Applications is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and actively preventing all forms of publication malpractice. Our Editorial Board takes this responsibility seriously and will not tolerate unethical behavior. All editors, authors, and reviewers must adhere to good publication practices, in line with the COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors. The complete guidelines can be found on the COPE website as part of our Core Practices.

 

Authors and Contributors

  1. Authorship Definition: We expect all authors to agree to the content and submission process, including obtaining necessary permissions from relevant institutions. We don't specify particular contribution types for authorship and encourage authors to follow field-specific guidelines.
  2. Disclosure Requirements: Authors must provide information on funding, financial or non-financial interests, and ethical approvals, including informed consent for human or animal research.
  3. Corresponding Author Duties: This author coordinates approvals from all co-authors, manages journal communications, and ensures transparency in material use.
  4. Author Contribution Transparency: We value clear statements of author contributions and publish these in each manuscript.
  5. Affiliation Policy: The primary affiliation should reflect where the research was conducted and won't be changed post-publication.
  6. Authorship Changes: Authors should confirm the correct author list and order at submission. Post-submission changes require approval from all authors. No changes are allowed after acceptance.
  7. Author Identification: We recommend using ORCID IDs when submitting or obtaining one during submission.
  8. Deceased or Incapacitated Authors: Including such authors requires approval from a legal representative, usually a close relative.
  9. Confidentiality Expectations: All journal communications should be treated as confidential unless explicit consent is given to share.
  10. Authorship Disputes: Authors should resolve these themselves. The journal won't investigate or decide. Unresolved disputes may lead to manuscript withdrawal.
  11. AI-Generated Content: AI tools can't be considered independent authors. Their use must be transparently described in research methods.
  12. Post-Publication Name Changes: We'll update metadata without announcement to protect privacy.
  13. Journal Staff as Authors: Editors and staff involved in manuscript compilation are excluded from related editorial decisions.
  14. Author Ethical Responsibilities: Authors must maintain scientific integrity, avoid misrepresenting results, and respect rejection decisions.
  15. Error Correction: Authors are obligated to correct significant errors upon discovery.
  16. Reviewer Suggestions: Authors may suggest independent reviewers with appropriate contact details.

 

Complaints and Appeals

  1. General Process: The Editor-in-Chief or handling editor addresses initial complaints about decisions, delays, or processes.
  2. Scientific Content Complaints: Editors assess author arguments and reviewer reports to decide on upholding rejections, seeking independent opinions, or considering appeals. Appeal decisions are final.
  3. Process Complaints: The Editor-in-Chief investigates with relevant staff to provide feedback and improve processes.
  4. Publication Ethics Complaints: Editors follow COPE guidelines and may seek advice in complex cases. Unresolved complaints can be escalated to COPE.

 

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose all interests potentially affecting their research, directly or indirectly. This ensures transparency and helps readers identify potential biases. Disclosures may include:

  1. Research Support: Grants or other support from interested organizations.
  2. Employment and Affiliations: Current, past, or expected employment with financial impacts related to publication.
  3. Other Interests: Financial stakes, patents, and non-financial interests like editorial positions or expert witness roles.

Non-financial interests that could influence research should also be disclosed, including professional affiliations, personal relationships, and beliefs.

 

Post-Publication Discussion

Digitus: Journal of Computer Science Applications may remove articles from its online platform if:

  1. Content infringes legal rights.
  2. A court order or government directive requires removal.
  3. Content poses a serious health risk.

Removals may be temporary or permanent. Bibliographic metadata will be maintained with an explanation for removal.

 

Reviewer Responsibilities

Digitus: Journal of Computer Science Applications expects reviewers to:

  1. Maintain confidentiality of manuscript information.
  2. Provide objective, criticism-free reviews.
  3. Express opinions clearly with strong supporting arguments.
  4. Identify relevant uncited work.
  5. Report substantial similarities with other works.
  6. Avoid conflicts of interest in manuscript assessment.

 

Editor Responsibilities

Editors at Digitus: Journal of Computer Science Applications are responsible for:

  1. Final decisions on article acceptance or rejection.
  2. Overall publication content and quality.
  3. Continuous improvement based on author and reader needs.
  4. Ensuring paper quality and academic record integrity.
  5. Basing decisions on significance, originality, clarity, and relevance.
  6. Maintaining decision consistency except for valid reasons.
  7. Preserving reviewer confidentiality.
  8. Adhering to international ethical guidelines.
  9. Accepting only manuscripts meeting journal standards.
  10. Promptly addressing errors or violation suspicions.
  11. Avoiding conflicts of interest among staff, authors, reviewers, and board members.