Publication Ethics

Scientific Thought is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in the publication of scholarly work. Our publication ethics are designed to ensure the integrity and transparency of the research process, providing clear guidelines for authors, reviewers, and editors.

For Authors:

• Originality:
  Authors are required to submit original work. Manuscripts must not have been previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere. All data, findings, and conclusions presented must be original and properly referenced.

• Plagiarism:
  Authors must avoid plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. Any use of previously published work, ideas, or data should be appropriately cited and referenced. Manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism using software tools.

• Authorship:
  All individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research should be included as authors. All authors must approve the manuscript before submission and acknowledge their specific contributions. Corresponding authors are responsible for ensuring that all authors are appropriately credited and listed.

• Conflicts of Interest:
  Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that might influence the research or publication. Conflicts should be disclosed at the time of submission and updated if any arise during the review process.

• Human and Animal Rights:
  If the research involves human participants or animals, authors must ensure that proper ethical approval was obtained from relevant ethics committees, and they must provide written consent for human participants when required.

• Data Integrity:
  Authors must ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data presented in their manuscripts. Fabrication or manipulation of data will not be tolerated.

• Withdrawal and Retraction:
  Authors should request the withdrawal of their manuscripts before acceptance if they wish to retract their submission. If issues arise after publication, such as errors or ethical concerns, authors should contact the editorial office immediately. In the case of retraction, a formal retraction notice will be issued.

For Reviewers:

• Confidentiality:
  Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential and not share the content of the manuscript with others without the author’s permission. Manuscripts should not be discussed or disclosed outside of the review process.

• Objectivity:
  Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts based on their scientific merit, clarity, and relevance. Reviews should be unbiased, fair, and objective, providing constructive feedback for the authors.

• Conflict of Interest:
  Reviewers should recuse themselves from reviewing any manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest, including personal, financial, or professional ties to the author(s) or the work.

• Timeliness:
  Reviewers should return feedback within the time frame set by the editorial office. If reviewers are unable to provide timely or thorough feedback, they should notify the editorial office as soon as possible.

For Editors:

• Editorial Independence:
  The editorial team ensures that all decisions regarding manuscript acceptance or rejection are based solely on the quality and scientific merit of the manuscript, without any influence from external factors or conflicts of interest.

• Fairness and Transparency:
  Editors must ensure a fair and unbiased review process, handling all submissions in a transparent manner. All decisions are based on peer reviewer feedback and scientific standards.

• Confidentiality:
  Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts and their reviews as confidential. Manuscripts should not be disclosed to third parties or used for personal gain.

• Conflicts of Interest:
  Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest related to manuscripts they handle and recuse themselves from the decision-making process in such cases.

• Corrections and Retractions:
  If errors are identified in published articles, editors will take appropriate action, which may include issuing a correction, retraction, or other necessary measures to maintain the integrity of the academic record.

Publisher’s Role:

• Integrity and Accuracy:
  The publisher, ELEVATE EDUCATIONAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED, is committed to upholding the ethical principles of academic publishing and maintaining the integrity of the journal’s contents.

• Support for Ethical Practices:
  The publisher will provide resources and guidance to authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure that the highest ethical standards are upheld during the manuscript submission, review, and publication processes.