Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

PUBLISHING ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(National Journal of Antennas and Propagation – NJAP)
(Fully aligned with COPE Code of Conduct & Best Practice Guidelines)

1. Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to the National Journal of Antennas and Propagation (NJAP) are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical conduct.

1.1 Contribution and Originality

  • All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research.
  • The manuscript must contain original work that has not been previously published or submitted elsewhere.
  • Authors must properly acknowledge and cite all sources, including previously published text, images, or data.

1.2 Data Accuracy and Transparency

  • Authors must ensure that all data presented are genuine, accurate, and reproducible.
  • Fabrication, falsification, or selective manipulation of data is strictly prohibited.
  • Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review.

1.3 Copyrighted Materials

  • If the manuscript contains previously published images, figures, or any other copyrighted materials, authors must obtain written permissions from the copyright holders.
  • Copies of permissions must be submitted with the manuscript.

1.4 Participation in Peer Review

  • Authors are expected to actively participate in the peer review process.
  • Authors must respond to reviewers’ comments professionally and promptly.
  • If an error is discovered after publication, authors have an obligation to notify the editors immediately.

2. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers play a central role in ensuring the quality and scientific integrity of NJAP.

2.1 Confidentiality

  • All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.
  • Reviewers must not discuss or share the manuscript with others without authorization.

2.2 Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

  • Reviews should be objective, evidence-based, and constructive, aimed at improving the manuscript.
  • Personal criticism of authors is unacceptable.

2.3 Conflicts of Interest

  • Reviewers must declare any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, academic, or personal relationships with authors.
  • Reviewers must decline review invitations if such conflicts exist.

2.4 Identification of Relevant Work

  • Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.
  • Any suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical issue must be reported to the editorial office.

3.Editorial Responsibilities

Editors ensure the scientific quality, integrity, and fairness of the publication process.

3.1 Editorial Authority

  • The Editors-in-Chief  have full authority to accept or reject manuscripts based on academic merit and ethical standards.

3.2 Fair and Unbiased Evaluation

  • Editors must ensure that decisions are based solely on scientific quality, without discrimination based on authors’ gender, race, affiliation, or nationality.
  • Editorial decisions must remain uninfluenced by commercial or financial interests.

3.3 Conflict of Interest

  • Editors must not handle manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest.
  • Alternative editors will be assigned in such cases.

3.4 Handling Corrections and Retractions

  • When errors or misconduct are identified, editors will publish corrections, clarifications, expressions of concern, or retractions in accordance with COPE guidelines.

3.5 Protection of Reviewer Anonymity

  • Editors must ensure that reviewer identities remain strictly confidential.

4. Publishing Ethics Issues

The National Journal of Antennas and Propagation is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards.

4.1 COPE Membership & Guidelines

NJAP adheres fully to the
COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors
and follows all COPE-recommended procedures for handling misconduct.

COPE guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Guidelines

4.2 Ethical Compliance in Research

Although NJAP primarily publishes engineering and technology research, if any studies involving:

  • human participants
  • biological samples
  • sensitive data
    must include evidence of ethical approval and informed consent.

4.3 Handling Misconduct

Suspected cases of:

  • plagiarism
  • duplicate submission
  • redundant publication
  • fabricated or manipulated data

will be investigated following the COPE flowcharts. Retractions will be issued when necessary.

5. Plagiarism, Data Integrity, and Image Manipulation

5.1 Plagiarism

  • Verbatim text, ideas, figures, or data used from other sources must be properly cited.
  • All manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening prior to review.

5.2 Data Falsification/Fabrication

  • Altering, omitting, or inventing data is strictly prohibited.
  • Manuscripts found to violate data integrity may be rejected or retracted.

5.3 Image Manipulation

  • Images must reflect original data accurately.
  • Only global adjustments (brightness, contrast, color) are permitted.
  • Features may not be selectively enhanced, obscured, or removed.
  • Editors may request original image files for verification.

6. Advertising Policy

6.1 Editorial Independence

  • All advertisements are completely independent of editorial decisions.
  • NJAP does not endorse any advertised products or services.

6.2 Acceptable Advertising

NJAP will not accept advertising:

  • for harmful products (e.g., tobacco, alcohol),
  • that is misleading or unverifiable,
  • that is offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate.

6.3 Restrictions

  • Advertisements shall not reference any specific article or target content related to the product being advertised.
  • Targeted keyword advertising connected to specific articles is strictly prohibited.

6.4 Removal of Advertising

Advertisements may be removed at any time by decision of the Editors-in-Chief or Publisher.