Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Indian Forester Journal is a double blind peer reviewed Journal and is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its operations. We adhere strictly to the principles of integrity, objectivity, fairness, and transparency in publishing research articles and scholarly works. Articles not in accordance with publication ethics will be removed from publication if detected at any time. Authors, reviewers, editors, and all stakeholders involved in the publication process are expected to adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

  1. Authorship and Originality: Authors must ensure that their submitted manuscripts are original works, and if they have used the work and/or words of others, this has been appropriately cited or quoted. Any financial support received or conflicts of interest related to the project or research must be disclosed. They are required to inform the editor promptly of any errors or inaccuracies discovered and to collaborate with the editor to rectify them. All authors must have made significant contributions to the research and agree to be listed as authors. They are accountable for language editing prior to submission. Articles must be submitted via online procedures. Publishing the same article in multiple publications simultaneously violates publication ethics.

As a publisher, The Indian Forester Journal adheres to the standards set by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and has implemented COPE’s best practice guidelines for addressing ethical issues in its journals.

  1. Transparency and Disclosure: Authors are required to provide accurate and complete information about their research methods, data, and sources of funding. Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
  2. Peer Review: The Indian Forester Journal employs a rigorous double blind peer-review process to ensure the quality and integrity of published articles. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and impartiality, and they are expected to provide constructive feedback to improve the quality of the manuscript.
  3. Plagiarism: Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Authors should ensure that their work is entirely their own, or if they have used the work of others, proper credit is given through appropriate citation. The author is required to include the plagiarism report as a supplementary file when submitting the article on the journal's website. Their work must not contain any copied or plagiarized content, either in whole or in part, from any other source.
  4. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or evaluation of their research findings. Conflicts of interest may include financial interests, affiliations, or personal relationships that could bias the work.
  5. Data Integrity and Manipulation: Authors should present their research data accurately and honestly. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is considered unethical and will not be tolerated.
  6. Reviewer Conduct: Reviewers are expected to conduct their evaluations objectively and provide constructive feedback to authors. Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. All references not cited by the author must be excluded. Each citation should be supported by previously reported observations or arguments. The editors should be notified of any overlap between the reviewed manuscript and previously published papers.

If plagiarism is detected during the review process, articles will be promptly rejected, and further actions may be taken depending on the severity of the case. Should plagiarism be confirmed after publication, the implicated articles will be removed, and an official announcement will be issued accordingly.

Plagiarism to be reported to indianforester1875@gmail.com

  1. Editorial Independence: Editors of The Indian Forester Journal are responsible for making editorial decisions based on the merit of the work and without influence from external parties. Editors should disclose any conflicts of interest and handle submissions impartially.
  2. Publication Ethics: The Indian Forester Journal follows industry best practices and guidelines established by organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure the integrity and transparency of the publication process.
  3. Corrections and Retractions: If errors are discovered in published works, authors are obligated to promptly notify the journal's editors and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions as necessary to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
  4. Compliance with Ethical Standards: Authors should ensure that their research complies with all applicable ethical standards and regulations governing research involving human subjects, animals, or sensitive data.
  5. Open Access and Copyright: Several significant published articles are accessible through open access, requiring a fee of Rs 5000 for short notes and Rs 10,000 for full-length articles. Authors should be aware of and comply with the journal's policies regarding open access, copyright, and licensing agreements.

Malpractice Statement

  1. The Indian Forester Journal takes allegations of research misconduct, ethical violations, and malpractice seriously. Instances of malpractice may include but are not limited to:
  2. Plagiarism: Any attempt to pass off the work of others as one's own, including verbatim copying of text without appropriate citation or permission
  3. Fabrication and Falsification: Intentional manipulation or fabrication of research data, results, or findings to deceive readers or enhance the perceived significance of the work.
  4. Duplicate Publication: Submitting the same manuscript or substantial parts of it to multiple journals without proper acknowledgment or permission.
  5. Misrepresentation of Authorship: Including individuals as authors who have not made significant contributions to the research or omitting individuals who have made substantial contributions.
  6. Conflict of Interest Violations: Failure to disclose conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or evaluation of research findings.
  7. Reviewer Misconduct: Reviewers who fail to conduct fair and impartial evaluations, disclose conflicts of interest, or breach confidentiality.
  8. Editorial Bias: Editors who make editorial decisions based on personal bias or external pressure rather than the merit of the work.
  9. Violation of Ethical Standards: Any breach of the ethical guidelines outlined above, including failure to comply with research ethics regulations or standards.

The Indian Forester Journal investigates all allegations of malpractice thoroughly and takes appropriate action, which may include retracting or correcting published works, informing relevant stakeholders, and reporting serious violations to appropriate authorities or institutions. We are committed to maintaining the integrity and credibility of our publication and fostering an environment of trust and transparency within the scientific community.