Publication Ethics and Research Integrity Policy

Publication Ethics Statement

MAIRAJ is committed to maintaining high standards of ethical scholarly publishing. Authors, reviewers, editors and the publisher are expected to act with honesty, accountability, fairness and professional integrity throughout the research and publication process.

The journal's editorial policies are informed by internationally recognized principles of publication ethics, including guidance developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts must represent original scholarly work. Plagiarism, including unattributed copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, substantial text reuse without acknowledgment and misappropriation of ideas, is prohibited.

The editorial office may use appropriate similarity-screening tools to identify potential concerns. Similarity reports are evaluated by qualified editors, and decisions are not based solely on a numerical similarity percentage.

Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit manuscripts that have already been published or are simultaneously under consideration elsewhere. Substantial overlap with previously published work must be disclosed and appropriately justified.

Research Fabrication and Falsification

The fabrication, falsification or intentional misrepresentation of research data, findings, sources or methodology constitutes serious research misconduct and may result in rejection, correction or retraction.

Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship must accurately reflect substantial scholarly contributions. Every listed author must approve the final manuscript and accept responsibility for their contribution.

Guest, gift and ghost authorship are prohibited. Contributors who do not qualify for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.

Changes in Authorship

Requests to add, remove or reorder authors after submission must include a written explanation and agreement from all affected authors. The editorial office may request supporting documentation before approving a change.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers and editors must disclose financial, professional, personal, institutional or other relationships that could reasonably influence the research or editorial decision-making process.

Funding Disclosure

Authors must identify sources of financial support and explain the role of funders in research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation. Where no external funding was received, this should be stated.

Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants must comply with applicable institutional, national and international ethical standards. Authors must disclose ethical approval or exemption where applicable and describe the procedures used to obtain informed consent.

Participant privacy, confidentiality and protection from harm must be respected.

Research Data Integrity

Authors are responsible for the accuracy, completeness and appropriate management of research data. Data must not be manipulated or selectively reported in a manner that misrepresents research findings.

Citation Integrity

References must accurately identify the scholarly works consulted. Fabricated citations, irrelevant references, citation manipulation and coercive citation practices are prohibited.

Image and Document Integrity

Images, figures, archival documents and other research materials must not be altered in ways that misrepresent evidence. Legitimate adjustments must be disclosed where necessary.

Reviewer and Editor Responsibilities

Reviewers and editors must assess manuscripts fairly, maintain confidentiality, disclose conflicts of interest and avoid exploiting unpublished material.

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Concerns regarding plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, authorship disputes, ethical violations or other misconduct will be assessed through a fair and documented procedure.

The editorial office may request explanations, supporting evidence or institutional investigation findings. Appropriate action may include rejection, correction, expression of concern or retraction.

Whistleblowing and Confidential Reporting

Individuals may report suspected research misconduct to the editorial office. Reports will be handled respectfully and confidentially to the extent reasonably possible, and retaliatory conduct will not be tolerated.

Post-Publication Discussion

MAIRAJ welcomes substantiated scholarly discussion and constructive criticism of published research. Significant concerns may be investigated and addressed through editorial notices or other appropriate post-publication actions.