Publication Ethics
Ethical Framework and Best Practices
IJFIST is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. The journal adheres to the principles and best practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved in the publication process—editors, reviewers, authors, and the publisher—to uphold these standards.
Responsibilities of the Editorial Team
Editorial Independence and Fair Evaluation
Editors assess submitted manuscripts solely on the basis of academic merit, including originality, technical soundness, clarity, relevance, and contribution to the field of computer and emerging technologies. Editorial decisions are made independently, without influence from institutional, political, commercial, or personal considerations.
The Editor-in-Chief holds full authority over editorial content and publication scheduling.
Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Information related to submissions is disclosed only to the corresponding author, reviewers, editorial advisors, or the publisher, when necessary.
Conflicts of Interest
Editors and editorial board members must not use unpublished material for personal research without written consent from the authors. Any editor with a potential conflict of interest—whether competitive, collaborative, or institutional—must recuse themselves and delegate handling of the manuscript to another qualified editor.
Publication Decisions
All manuscripts considered for publication undergo rigorous peer review by at least two independent experts. Final publication decisions are based on reviewer feedback, scholarly value, originality, relevance, and compliance with ethical and legal requirements, including plagiarism and copyright regulations.
Ethical Oversight and Investigations
When ethical concerns arise, editors work closely with the publisher to investigate all reported cases of misconduct, following COPE flowcharts. Where necessary, corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued to safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer reviewers play a critical role in assisting editors with publication decisions and providing constructive feedback to improve manuscript quality.
Timeliness
Reviewers who are unable to complete a review promptly or lack sufficient expertise must inform the editors immediately and decline the invitation.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review are confidential and must not be shared or discussed without explicit editorial permission, including cases where reviewers decline the review invitation.
Objectivity and Professional Conduct
Reviews must be objective, evidence-based, and respectful. Personal criticism of authors is unacceptable.
Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant uncited literature and alert editors to any suspected overlap or similarity with other published or unpublished works.
Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and withdraw from the review process when such conflicts exist. Unpublished information must not be used for personal research or advantage.
Responsibilities of Authors
Research Integrity and Reporting Standards
Authors must present accurate, honest, and complete accounts of their research, including sufficient detail to enable replication. Fraudulent or misleading statements are unethical and unacceptable.
Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted manuscripts must be entirely original. All sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form—including duplication, improper paraphrasing, or misappropriation of results—is strictly prohibited.
Multiple and Redundant Publication
Manuscripts must not be under consideration elsewhere or previously published. Duplicate or concurrent submissions constitute unethical publishing behavior. Secondary publication is permitted only under specific conditions with consent from all parties and proper citation of the original work.
Authorship Criteria
Authorship is limited to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the research, drafting, or critical revision of the manuscript and have approved the final version. Contributors not meeting authorship criteria should be acknowledged with written permission.
Data Access and Retention
Authors may be required to provide raw data for editorial review and should retain data for at least 10 years after publication, subject to legal, ethical, and confidentiality constraints.
Conflicts of Interest and Funding Disclosure
Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial conflicts of interest and clearly state all sources of funding, including grant numbers where applicable.
Ethical Approval and Consent
Research involving human participants or animals must comply with relevant ethical standards and regulations. Authors must confirm ethics committee approval and informed consent where required, and ensure participant privacy.
Participation in Peer Review
Authors are expected to cooperate fully during peer review, respond to reviewer comments systematically, and provide requested documentation promptly.
Post-Publication Responsibilities
If significant errors are discovered after publication, authors must notify the editors immediately and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions as necessary.
Responsibilities of the Publisher
Addressing Ethical Misconduct
In cases of suspected or confirmed misconduct, plagiarism, or fraudulent publication, the publisher—working with the editors—will take appropriate corrective action, including issuing corrections or retractions where required.
Archiving and Accessibility
The publisher is committed to the long-term preservation and accessibility of scholarly content through secure digital archiving and partnerships that ensure permanent availability.
Contact and Ethical Concerns
IJFIST actively promotes ethical publishing practices and encourages authors, reviewers, and readers to consult COPE resources for guidance. All manuscripts must comply with ethical standards.
Concerns regarding ethical issues, misconduct, or published content may be reported to the Research Integrity and Publication Ethics Team: