Book publication Ethics and publication Malpractice Statement

Overview

CGRN takes intellectual integrity very seriously. The publisher, editors, reviewers, and authors all agree upon the following standards of expected ethical behavior. These standards are based on the Committee on publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices.

Duties of Publisher

publication Decisions

Common Ground Research Networks' editorial team, in consultation with the managing editor of the Book Imprint, and the editors of a collective manuscript are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts should be published. The editorial team may confer with the managing editor and will strongly consider peer reviewers' comments and recommendations as part of this decision-making process.

Fair Play

Submitted manuscripts will be evaluated according to their intellectual merit, without regard to the race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation of the author(s).

Confidentiality

The editorial staff will not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, or other editorial advisors.

Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest

Unpublished material must not be used in an editor's own research without the written consent of the author.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Recommendations by peer reviewers are the single most important determining factor in whether a manuscript is accepted for publication. They may also help the author improve a manuscript that has been accepted pending revisions.

Promptness

Peer reviewers are asked to complete their reviews within six to eight weeks of receiving a refereeing assignment. If they cannot complete the report within six to eight weeks, they may ask for an extension.

Confidentiality

Any manuscript received for review will be treated as confidential. It must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by Common Ground Research Networks’ editorial team.

Standards of Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.

Acknowledgment of Sources and Identification of Possible Plagiarism

Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Reports of statements, observations, or arguments that have been noted elsewhere should be accompanied by a relevant citation. A reviewer should also call the editor's attention to any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published manuscript of which they have personal knowledge.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

If a peer reviewer feels unqualified to review a particular manuscript, he or she must notify a member of Common Ground Research Networks' editorial team to be excused from the assignment. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and not be used for personal benefit. Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, our institutions connected to the manuscripts under review.

Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

Authors of reports of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed, as well as an objective discussion of its significance.

Data Access and Retention

Authors are asked to provide the raw data in connection with the manuscript for editorial review and should be prepared to provide public access to such data, whenever possible. In any event, authors should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable amount of time after publication.

Originality and Plagiarism

The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original work, and if the authors have used the work and/or words of others that this has been appropriately cited or quoted. Manuscripts found to have plagiarized material will be withdrawn from publication consideration. If plagiarism is found after a manuscript is published, the publisher will contact the author for a response to the allegations. In cases of proven plagiarism or non-response/non-adequate response, the offending manuscript will be retracted and a statement from the publisher will be issued.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent publication

Submitting the same manuscript to more than one publisher concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and it is unacceptable. Manuscripts must only be peer-reviewed by one publisher at a time. Common Ground Research Networks will consider publishing manuscripts that have been published elsewhere previously, provided that they have undergone substantial revision or reworking. In such cases, 70% of the manuscript must consist of new or significantly revised material.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

Authorship of the Manuscript

Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. Where there are others who participated in certain substantial aspects of the research project, they should be acknowledged are listed as contributors. The corresponding author should ensure that all appropriate co-authors and no inappropriate co-authors are included on the manuscript and that all co-authors have seen and approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to its submission for publication.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of the manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works

When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his or her own published work, it is the author's obligation to promptly notify the publisher and cooperate with Common Ground Research Networks’ editorial team to correct or retract the manuscript.