Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

In the pursuit of fostering integrity and credibility in scientific research within the domain of sustainable trends and business, “Sustainable Trends and Business Research” (STBR), a journal published by ResearchApt, a registered firm with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. It is imperative for all stakeholders involved, including authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers, to adhere to ethical guidelines to safeguard the integrity of the scientific record and ensure transparency and professionalism in scholarly endeavors.

1. Ethical Guidelines for Editors

Establishment of Quality: Editors should maintain the quality and integrity of the journal and promote freedom of expression within ethical boundaries.

Formation of Editorial Board: The editorial board should comprise reputable scholars, and editorial policies should be transparently communicated to board members.

Fair Play and Impartiality: Editors should ensure fair and impartial selection of papers and maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.

Editing and Formatting Guidelines: Clear guidelines for manuscript preparation and formatting should be provided to authors.

Review Process: Editors should ensure prompt and professional peer review and maintain a database of competent reviewers.

Dealing with Misconduct: Editors should address ethical issues and research misconduct promptly and transparently.

Transparency: Editors should ensure transparency in publication decisions and disclose any conflicts of interest.

Establishing a Procedure for Appeal: Editors should establish a clear mechanism for handling appeals against editorial decisions.

 

2. Ethical Guidelines for Authors

Reporting Standards: Authors must ensure that their research reports and data are presented with sufficient detail and proper referencing to enable reproducibility.

Originality and Plagiarism: Authors are responsible for submitting original work and giving appropriate credit to the sources. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.

Declaration: Authors must provide a declaration stating the originality of their work and disclose any previous publications or submissions of the same work.

Multiple, Redundant, and Current Publication: Authors should not submit the same research to multiple journals concurrently, except in resubmission cases after rejection.

Acknowledgment of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of all sources, including contributions from individuals and organizations, must be provided.

Authorship of the Work: Authorship should be attributed only to those who have made significant contributions to the research.

Privacy of Participants: Authors must respect the privacy of research participants and obtain informed consent when necessary.

Data Access and Retention: Authors should be prepared to provide raw data if requested during the review process.

Images: Images used in research should be authentic and accurately described.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest or financial support related to their research.

Copyright: Authors may be required to sign agreements regarding the publication and distribution of their work.

Manuscript Acceptance and Rejection: Authors have the right to inquire about the status of their manuscript during the review process. Acceptance, rejection, or revision decisions should be communicated promptly and justified. 

3. Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers

Suitability and Promptness: Reviewers should act promptly and disclose any conflicts of interest.

Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively, focusing on academic standards and scientific rigor.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should declare any potential conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality.

Ethical Considerations: Reviewers should report any ethical concerns or violations observed in the manuscript.

Originality: Reviewers should evaluate the originality and relevance of the research.

Structure: Reviewers should assess the clarity, organization, and adherence to guidelines in the manuscript.

Review Report: Reviewers should provide detailed, constructive feedback to authors and maintain professionalism throughout the review process.

The guidelines for authors, editors, and reviewers mentioned above are also accessible on the official website of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). Additionally, STBR also follows the guidelines published by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)'s Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Academic Publishing. The guidelines can be downloaded from the following links.

These ethical guidelines, endorsed by HEC and COPE, are essential for upholding the integrity and credibility of "Sustainable Trends and Business Research" and ensuring the publication of high-quality research in the field of business sustainability. Thank you for considering STBR for your research endeavors. We greatly value your interest in our journal and hope you find the ethical guidelines provided by the HEC and COPE beneficial in ensuring the integrity and quality of your work.

COPE - Journal Editors

COPE - Journal Publishers

COPE - Review Guidelines

COPE - Best Practices

HEC - Ethical Guide

HEC - Booklet