Publication Ethics and Malpractice statement

 

Sustainable Construction and Management is committed to ensuring ethical publication practices and maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all stages of the publication process. This statement outlines the responsibilities and ethical obligations of all parties involved: authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. The journal follows the principles and guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

Responsibilities of Authors

 

  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must submit original work and properly cite or quote all sources. Plagiarism in any form is unethical and unacceptable.

  • Data Accuracy and Integrity: Authors must present accurate and truthful data. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data constitutes misconduct.

  • Multiple and Redundant Submissions: Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously or publish redundant articles.

  • Authorship and Acknowledgment: Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors. All co-authors must agree to the submission and publication of the manuscript. Funding sources and contributions by others should be properly acknowledged.

  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest that could influence the research or interpretation of the findings.

  • Correction of Errors: If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy after publication, they are obligated to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article.

 

Responsibilities of Editors

 

  • Fairness and Objectivity: Editors will evaluate manuscripts based solely on academic merit, relevance, originality, and clarity, without regard to the authors’ race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.

  • Confidentiality: Editors will maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and their contents unless disclosure is necessary for resolving misconduct.

  • Decision-Making: Editors have full authority over the editorial content and the timing of publication, and are responsible for ensuring a fair and unbiased peer review process.

  • Misconduct Handling: Editors will take all claims of ethical misconduct seriously and will follow COPE’s flowcharts and procedures in dealing with suspected cases of malpractice.

 

Responsibilities of Reviewers

 

  • Confidentiality: All information regarding manuscripts must be kept confidential and must not be used for personal advantage.

  • Objectivity and Constructive Criticism: Reviewers must provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to help authors improve their work.

  • Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and inform the editor of any substantial similarity to other works.

  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should declare any potential conflicts of interest and decline to review manuscripts where such conflicts exist.

 

Publisher’s Responsibilities

 

  • Integrity of the Scholarly Record: The publisher is committed to maintaining the academic record and supporting ethical research and publishing practices.

  • Support for Ethical Oversight: The publisher works closely with editors and reviewers to address and resolve any instances of ethical misconduct or disputes.

  • Transparency: The publisher supports transparency in ownership, editorial processes, peer review, and potential conflicts of interest.

 

Dealing with Misconduct

 

In cases of suspected research or publication misconduct, including plagiarism, data falsification, improper authorship, or undisclosed conflicts of interest, the journal will initiate an investigation following COPE guidelines. Proven cases of misconduct may result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript, notification of the author's institution, and other appropriate actions.

This Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement ensures that Sustainable Construction and Management remains a trusted platform for scholarly communication rooted in transparency, fairness, and academic excellence.