Research and Publication Ethics

8 August 2024

By adhering to these research and publication ethics, Vance Press ensures the integrity, credibility, and trustworthiness of the scholarly work we publish. We believe that maintaining the highest ethical standards is essential to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering a responsible and inclusive academic community.

This page outlines general policy. For detailed policies and procedures, please refer to the specific journal's editorial process page.

At Vance Press, we are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of research and publication ethics. Our dedication to ethical practices is fundamental to our mission of fostering open scientific exchange and ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record. We adhere to internationally recognized guidelines and principles to maintain the trust of the academic community and the public.

1. Ethical Research Practices

Vance Press expects all authors to conduct their research in accordance with ethical standards. This includes obtaining necessary approvals from institutional review boards (IRBs) or ethics committees for studies involving human or animal subjects, ensuring informed consent, and safeguarding participant confidentiality. Authors must comply with relevant national and international regulations and guidelines.

2. Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship should accurately reflect individuals' contributions to the research and the writing of the manuscript. All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research, and should have participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript. Any changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all co-authors.

3. Avoidance of Plagiarism

Vance Press maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism in all its forms. Plagiarism includes the unattributed use of others' ideas, data, text, or figures, as well as self-plagiarism (duplicate publication). To ensure originality, all submissions are checked using plagiarism detection software such as iThenticate. Authors are expected to properly cite all sources and acknowledge the contributions of others.

4. Data Integrity and Transparency

Authors must ensure that their research data is accurate, complete, and honestly reported. Any manipulation, falsification, or fabrication of data is strictly prohibited. Authors should be prepared to provide raw data and supporting documentation upon request during the review process or after publication. Vance Press encourages the sharing of data and methodologies to promote transparency and reproducibility.

5. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the outcome of the research or its interpretation. Conflicts of interest may include financial, personal, or professional relationships with organizations or individuals involved in the research. Full transparency is required to maintain the objectivity and credibility of the published work.

6. Peer Review Integrity

The peer review process at Vance Press is designed to be fair, thorough, and impartial. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and are expected to provide objective and constructive feedback. Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and are required to keep the content of manuscripts confidential. Any attempt to influence the review process or compromise its integrity is unacceptable.

7. Handling Ethical Violations

Vance Press takes all allegations of ethical misconduct seriously. If unethical behavior is suspected or reported, we follow the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to investigate and resolve the issue. This may involve contacting the authors' institutions, retracting published articles, or issuing corrections. We are committed to transparency and accountability in addressing ethical concerns.

8. Retraction and Correction Policy

In cases where significant errors or ethical violations are discovered post-publication, Vance Press will take appropriate action. This may include issuing a correction, expression of concern, or retraction of the article. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the academic record and to correct the literature promptly and transparently.

9. Commitment to Ethical Oversight

Vance Press is dedicated to continuous ethical oversight and education. We regularly review and update our ethical policies to reflect the latest standards and best practices in scholarly publishing. Our editors, reviewers, and authors are provided with resources and guidance to support ethical decision-making throughout the publication process.