Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Bioresources and Environment (BioEnv) is committed to responsible scholarly publishing, research integrity and fair editorial practices. The journal expects authors, editors, editorial board members, reviewers and the publisher to act with integrity, fairness and appropriate professional conduct throughout the submission, peer review and publication process.

Ethical Standards

BioEnv adheres to recognised principles of responsible scholarly publishing. Where applicable, the journal follows relevant guidance and recommendations from:

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices
    COPE Core Practices
  2. COPE Guidelines, Flowcharts and Other Resources
    COPE Guidelines and Flowcharts
  3. Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT)
    CRediT Contributor Roles Taxonomy

These resources provide reference points for matters including editorial decision making, peer review, authorship, contributor roles, conflicts of interest, research integrity and publication malpractice.

Where a specific matter is not addressed by BioEnv's policies, the journal may refer to relevant COPE guidance and other recognised standards when considering the matter.

 

Publication Ethics

1. Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial team are responsible for overseeing the editorial process in accordance with BioEnv's policies and procedures.

Editors shall:

  • assess manuscripts based on scholarly merit, methodological quality, originality and relevance to the journal's scope;
  • make editorial decisions fairly and on scholarly grounds;
  • follow the journal's stated peer review procedures;
  • maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and editorial correspondence;
  • identify and appropriately manage conflicts of interest;
  • avoid participating in decisions where a conflict of interest could affect impartiality;
  • appoint reviewers with appropriate subject expertise;
  • consider credible concerns relating to research or publication misconduct; and
  • maintain appropriate editorial records.

Editors shall not use unpublished information obtained through the editorial process for personal or professional advantage.

Where a manuscript is submitted by the Editor-in-Chief or an editorial board member, the concerned individual shall not participate in the editorial decision. Where appropriate, another editor shall oversee the manuscript.

2. Authors Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for the originality, accuracy and integrity of their work.

Authors shall:

  • submit original work that has not been previously published and is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal;
  • disclose substantial overlap with previous publications or submissions;
  • report research methods, data, results and conclusions accurately;
  • appropriately acknowledge and cite the work of others;
  • avoid plagiarism, fabrication, falsification and inappropriate manipulation of data, images or research materials;
  • ensure that authorship accurately reflects contributions to the research and manuscript;
  • ensure that all authors approve the submitted and final versions;
  • disclose relevant conflicts of interest and funding where applicable;
  • comply with applicable research ethics requirements;
  • provide required declarations and supporting information;
  • comply with BioEnv's requirements concerning generative artificial intelligence; and
  • notify the journal of significant errors identified in a submitted or published article.

Detailed requirements are provided in the Guide for Authors and relevant BioEnv policies.

3. Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the journal on behalf of all authors.

The corresponding author shall:

  • confirm that all authors have approved the manuscript before submission;
  • ensure that the author list, affiliations and other submission information are accurate;
  • confirm that the manuscript is not under consideration by another journal;
  • coordinate communication between the journal and co authors; and
  • ensure that required declarations and supporting information are complete and accurate.

4. Peer Review Responsibilities

BioEnv uses peer review to assess the scientific quality and suitability of submitted manuscripts. Reviewers are selected with consideration of their subject expertise and potential conflicts of interest.

Reviewers shall:

  • accept manuscripts for review only when they have appropriate subject expertise;
  • disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest;
  • maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and the review process;
  • evaluate manuscripts fairly and constructively;
  • consider the originality, methodology, results and contribution of the work;
  • identify significant methodological, ethical or research integrity concerns where applicable; and
  • inform the editor of suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication or other misconduct.

Reviewers shall not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage.

Citation recommendations should be based on genuine scholarly relevance and should not be made primarily to increase citations to the reviewer, particular authors or BioEnv.

Detailed procedures are provided in the Peer Review Policy.

5. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, editors and reviewers shall disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest that could affect their judgement.

Conflicts may arise from financial interests, employment, consultancy, research funding, personal or professional relationships, academic competition or other circumstances that could reasonably affect impartiality.

Where a conflict could affect an editorial or review decision, the individual concerned shall not participate in the relevant process.

Detailed requirements are provided in the Conflict of Interest Policy.

6. Research Ethics and Transparency

Authors shall ensure that their research complies with applicable ethical, institutional and regulatory requirements.

Where research involves human participants, animals, personal data or other activities requiring ethical oversight, the appropriate approval or exemption should be obtained where required.

Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information concerning ethical approval, informed consent and other relevant safeguards.

Authors should report their research accurately and provide appropriate information concerning data availability and supplementary materials where required.

Detailed requirements are provided in the Declaration on Human and Animal Rights, Author Guidelines and other relevant BioEnv policies.

7. Generative Artificial Intelligence

BioEnv recognises that generative artificial intelligence tools may assist with certain aspects of research or manuscript preparation. Their use shall not replace the authors' responsibility for the accuracy, originality and integrity of their work.

Generative AI shall not be used to:

  • fabricate or falsify research data or results;
  • create fabricated references;
  • conceal plagiarism or other misconduct; or
  • replace the authors' responsibility for the scholarly content of the manuscript.

AI tools shall not be listed as authors.

Where disclosure of generative AI use is required, authors shall follow the Generative AI Policy.

Editors and reviewers shall protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and should not upload confidential or unpublished manuscript content into external AI systems where this could compromise confidentiality or intellectual property.

Publication Malpractice

BioEnv considers the following among potential forms of publication malpractice:

  • plagiarism;
  • fabrication;
  • falsification;
  • duplicate or redundant publication;
  • authorship misconduct;
  • citation manipulation;
  • peer review manipulation; and
  • misuse of confidential information.

A concern does not by itself establish misconduct. BioEnv shall consider the available information and circumstances before deciding whether further action is appropriate.

1. Plagiarism

BioEnv does not accept plagiarism. The journal may use appropriate similarity detection tools as part of its manuscript assessment process. A similarity result alone does not establish plagiarism. The nature, extent and context of identified similarities will be considered.

Detailed procedures are provided in the Plagiarism Policy.

2. Fabrication and Falsification

Fabrication involves creating data, results or other research information that did not exist. Falsification involves manipulating research materials, data, procedures, images or results in a way that misrepresents the research.

Where credible concerns arise, BioEnv may request clarification or supporting information and may refer the matter to the relevant institution or authority where appropriate.

3. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

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

Authors should disclose previous publications or submissions containing substantially overlapping material.

Where duplicate or redundant publication is identified, BioEnv may reject the manuscript or take appropriate action where the material has already been published.

4. Authorship Misconduct

Authorship shall accurately reflect contributions to the research and manuscript.

BioEnv does not support guest, honorary, gift or ghost authorship or the omission of individuals who made substantial contributions.

Where applicable, BioEnv may use the CRediT Contributor Roles Taxonomy to describe individual contributions.

Any proposed change to authorship after submission should be justified and agreed by all affected authors before the journal considers the change.

5. Citation Manipulation

Citations shall have a genuine scholarly purpose and be relevant to the manuscript.

BioEnv does not support coercive citation, excessive or irrelevant self citation or other practices intended to artificially increase citation counts.

6. Peer Review Manipulation

BioEnv does not permit manipulation of the peer review process, including false reviewer identities, impersonation of reviewers, fraudulent review reports or attempts to improperly influence the review process.

Where peer review manipulation is suspected, the journal may suspend the editorial process while the matter is considered.

7. Misuse of Confidential Information

Authors, reviewers and editors shall not use confidential or unpublished information obtained through submission, editorial assessment or peer review for personal, academic or commercial advantage.

8. Handling of Ethical Concerns

BioEnv will consider credible concerns relating to research integrity or publication malpractice based on the available information and circumstances of each case.

Where appropriate, the journal may:

  1. request clarification or supporting information;
  2. seek information from relevant authors, reviewers or editors;
  3. seek appropriate independent advice;
  4. refer the matter to the relevant institution or authority;
  5. suspend the editorial or publication process while the matter is considered; or
  6. take appropriate editorial action.

BioEnv will seek to handle such matters fairly and confidentially.

Where a matter falls within the responsibility of an author's institution or another competent authority, BioEnv may refer the matter to that body and cooperate as appropriate.

9. Post Publication Matters

Concerns relating to published articles, including significant errors or issues affecting the integrity of the published record, shall be considered in accordance with the Corrections, Retractions and Editorial Complaints Policy.

Authors should notify the journal promptly if they identify a significant error in their published work.

Where appropriate, BioEnv may publish a correction, retraction or other editorial notice in accordance with the relevant policy.

10. Related BioEnv Policies

This statement provides the general framework for publication ethics and malpractice at BioEnv. Detailed requirements and procedures are provided in the journal's related policies:

  • Peer Review Policy
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Corrections, Retractions and Editorial Complaints Policy
  • Copyright and Licensing Policy
  • Generative AI Policy
  • Declaration on Human and Animal Rights

These policies should be read together with this statement. Where a specific procedure is addressed by a separate BioEnv policy, the relevant policy provides the detailed requirements and procedures.

11. Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher supports the journal's editorial and publication processes and may provide appropriate support when matters concerning publication ethics or the integrity of the published record arise.

The publisher shall not improperly influence editorial decisions. Editorial decisions shall be based on appropriate scholarly and editorial considerations.