Publication Ethics

Indonesian Journal of Ecology and Conservation (IJEC) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Universitas Sulawesi Barat. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity, and to preventing all forms of publication malpractice.

This ethical statement is developed based on internationally recognized guidelines, particularly those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). It serves as a comprehensive framework governing the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

IJEC upholds principles of transparency, objectivity, academic honesty, and accountability. The journal is also committed to handling ethical issues, including allegations of misconduct, corrections, and retractions, in a fair, transparent, and timely manner, and may involve institutional or legal authorities where appropriate.

1. Research Misconduct and Ethical Violations

IJEC defines research misconduct as any behavior that undermines the integrity of scholarly research and publication. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • fabrication or falsification of data
  • plagiarism in any form
  • citation manipulation
  • duplicate or redundant publication
  • unethical research practices involving humans, animals, or ecosystems

All allegations of misconduct will be evaluated carefully and objectively, following COPE procedures. The journal ensures due process, including verification of evidence and communication with relevant parties.

If misconduct is confirmed, IJEC reserves the right to take appropriate actions, including:

  • rejection of the manuscript
  • correction of published articles
  • retraction of articles
  • notification to affiliated institutions or funding bodies

2. Complaints, Appeals, and Dispute Resolution

IJEC provides a transparent mechanism for handling complaints and appeals related to:

  • editorial decisions
  • peer review processes
  • ethical concerns

Authors, reviewers, or readers may submit complaints with supporting evidence. All complaints will be assessed impartially and handled confidentially. Appeals against editorial decisions will be reviewed by the editorial board or independent advisors when necessary.

The journal is committed to resolving disputes fairly, maintaining academic integrity, and ensuring trust in the editorial process.

3. Ethical Oversight and Research Compliance

Research submitted to IJEC must comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations. This includes:

  • obtaining ethical approval for studies involving human participants
  • ensuring humane treatment of animals in accordance with established guidelines
  • securing permits for ecological or biodiversity research when required

Authors must clearly state ethical approval information in their manuscripts. Failure to comply may result in rejection or retraction.

4. Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

Editors play a central role in maintaining the integrity and quality of the journal. Their responsibilities include:

Publication Decisions

Editors are responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication, based on:

  • scientific merit
  • originality
  • methodological rigor
  • relevance to the journal’s scope

Fairness and Impartiality

Editors must evaluate manuscripts without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or political views.

Confidentiality

Editors must ensure that all submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must avoid handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.

Ethical Integrity

Editors must actively prevent the publication of unethical research and take corrective actions when necessary.

5. Duties and Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of their work. They must adhere to the following principles:

Reporting Standards

Authors must present their research honestly, clearly, and transparently, allowing others to replicate the work.

Data Integrity and Availability

Authors must ensure that data are accurate and, when required, provide access to raw data.

Originality and Plagiarism

All submitted work must be original. Proper citation of sources is mandatory.

Multiple or Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously.

Authorship

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

Acknowledgment of Sources

All contributions and funding sources must be properly acknowledged.

Ethical Approval

Research involving humans or animals must include appropriate ethical approval statements.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the research.

Correction of Errors

Authors must promptly notify the journal if significant errors are discovered after publication.

Image and Data Integrity

Manipulation of images or data that may mislead readers is strictly prohibited.

6. Duties and Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers contribute significantly to maintaining the quality of publications. Their responsibilities include:

Objectivity and Constructiveness

Reviews must be objective, constructive, and based on scientific evidence.

Confidentiality

Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant work not cited by the authors.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Timeliness

Reviewers must complete their evaluations within the agreed timeframe.

7. Peer Review Process

IJEC employs a double-blind peer review system, ensuring anonymity between authors and reviewers.

Each manuscript undergoes evaluation by at least two independent reviewers. The review process assesses:

  • originality and novelty
  • scientific quality
  • methodological soundness
  • relevance to the field of ecology and conservation

Editorial decisions are made based on reviewer recommendations and editorial judgment.

8. Handling of Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

IJEC is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. When necessary, the journal will:

  • issue corrections (erratum or corrigendum)
  • publish expressions of concern
  • retract articles

All actions will follow COPE guidelines and be conducted transparently.

10. Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher of IJEC is responsible for ensuring that:

  • editorial independence is maintained
  • ethical standards are consistently upheld
  • no commercial or financial influence affects editorial decisions

The publisher also supports editors and reviewers in addressing ethical issues and maintaining publication quality.