The Journal of Behavioral Science: Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The editorial team of The Journal of Behavioral Science (JBS) endeavors to uphold the best practices to ensure that the highest standards of ethics are maintained in publication of the journal and any malpractice is prevented. These ethical standards cover all aspects of publishing the journal including, the publishing procedure, responsibilities of the editors, responsibilities of the peer reviewers, and responsibilities of the authors. The journal’s editorial team continuously makes efforts to reflect, review, and improve these ethical practices.

Publishing Procedure

The JBS follows ethical practices in the publishing process that include-

  • The JBS only accepts original research papers and academic articles.
  • The JBS cannot accept papers which are duplicated or/and plagiarized (including contents like figures, tables, data, etc.).
  • The JBS allows and accepts submissions from authors from diverse backgrounds and does not discriminate on any grounds.
  • The JBS adheres to the procedures set for the journal, beginning from paper acceptance, to peer review, paper publishing, and dissemination.
  • The JBS assumes the responsibility for environmental concern to make the journal “green”, including taking actions to reduce printed materials.
  • Confidentiality of the work submitted for publication to the journal must be upheld by the editorial team and the peer reviewers.

Responsibilities of the Editors

The editors of the JBS are urged to follow the ethical practices of confidentiality, objectivity, and declaration of conflict of interest (if any). Please note that-

  • The editorial board is selected on the basis of their expertise and diversity.
  • All members of the editorial team must uphold the ethical principles in decisions related to the JBS.
  • If any issues and/or conflicts arise, these would be addressed in a professional manner.

Responsibilities of the Peer Reviewers

Each submitted research paper/article for publishing in the Journal of Behavioral Science undergoes a rigorous process of editorial review and peer review. The JBS rigorously follows the “double blind peer review” process. The peer reviewers are urged to follow the ethical practices of confidentiality, objectivity, and declaration of conflict of interest (if any). Please note that-

  • All submissions undergo a double blind peer review process.
  • The selection of reviewers is based on their expertise in the area. Thus the reviewers should accept the papers according to their expertise.
  • Reviewers should maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and the review and not use it for any other purposes other than the review.
  • Reviewers are responsible for viewing papers in terms of all the criteria set up for the JBS. The peer review report should be filled in as per the JBS guidelines.
  • In case of a problem, such as conflict of interest or any links with the reviewed paper, the reviewer must address this issue by bringing it forward to the Editor.
  • If a reviewer feels it is not possible for him/her to complete the review of manuscript within stipulated time then this information must be communicated to the editor, so that the manuscript could be sent to another reviewer

Responsibilities of the Authors

The author who submit work for publishing with the JBS are urged to follow the ethical practices of original submissions, accuracy, acknowledgement of information sources and of declaration of financial support and conflict of interest (if any). Please note that-

  • Original research papers, articles and work must be sent for publishing; authors should submit only those works which have not been published before.
  • The author/s is/are responsible for their submitted paper in terms of matching it with the aims and scope of the JBS, the standard APA style format followed by the JBS, completeness, acknowledging sources, preventing plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), and also including the names of all authors who have contributed to the submitted work.
  • Ethics must be upheld in all aspects of the research process, including data collection, ensuring confidentiality of the participants, and also taking their acceptance to participate in the research, and the ethical treatment of the subjects (including animals). Authors should provide information regarding the ethics clearance of their research if needed.
  • The authors need to work along with the JBS editorial requirements and edit their work as needed. In case of any conflict or problem in editing the manuscript, the author should inform the editor of the JBS without any delay.