Ethics Statement and Misconduct in Publication Practices

Ethics Statement and Misconduct in Publication Practices
Technophany, Journal for Philosophy and Technology (Diamond Open Access)

Ethical Standards and Outline of the Journal's Ethical Oversight

Technophany, Journal for Philosophy and Technology is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethics in the publication of research. As a diamond open-access journal, we aim to make high-quality academic research freely accessible to all, ensuring equal access to knowledge while fostering rigorous scholarly discourse within the intersection of philosophy and technology.

We expect all authors, reviewers, and editors to adhere to the principles of academic honesty, transparency, and fairness. The journal ensures that all research published adheres to the ethical standards of academic publishing and that all parties involved in the publication process uphold these standards.

Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality: Authors must ensure that all manuscripts submitted to Technophany are original and have not been published or are not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Plagiarism in any form—whether direct copying, paraphrasing without proper citation, or self-plagiarism—is strictly prohibited.
• Correctness and Integrity of Data: Authors must ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data and findings presented in their manuscript. Fabrication or falsification of data, manipulation of results, or any other form of unethical research practice is not acceptable.
• Proper Attribution: Authors must correctly attribute and cite the work and ideas of others that are used in their research. Sources must be acknowledged appropriately to avoid plagiarism.
• Authorship and Contributions: Authors should ensure that only those who have contributed significantly to the research are listed as authors, and that all co-authors have approved the manuscript before submission. Individuals who have contributed to the research but have not met the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in the appropriate section of the manuscript.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors are required to disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that might influence the research or its presentation.
• Ethical Approval: Authors conducting research involving human participants or animals must provide confirmation that the appropriate ethical approval was obtained, and that all research complies with ethical guidelines for research involving living beings.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. Manuscripts should not be shared or used for personal gain.
• Constructive and Unbiased Feedback: Reviewers must provide constructive, impartial, and timely feedback to assist in improving the quality of the manuscript. Reviews should focus on the intellectual content, methodology, and relevance of the manuscript to the field of philosophy and technology.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must inform the editorial team of any conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity. Reviewers should recuse themselves from reviewing a manuscript if a conflict exists.
• Integrity and Fairness: Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts based solely on scientific merit, relevance, and contribution to the field of philosophy and technology, without regard to personal relationships or biases.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Fair and Transparent Decision-Making: Editors are responsible for ensuring that all manuscripts are evaluated impartially, based on their scientific merit and relevance to the journal’s scope, while ensuring a fair and transparent peer review process.
• Confidentiality: Editors must maintain confidentiality regarding all manuscripts, reviews, and correspondence related to the publication process.
• Conflict of Interest: Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts when necessary.
• Accountability: Editors should ensure that any ethical issues raised during the publication process, such as allegations of misconduct, are addressed in a timely and responsible manner. This includes investigating concerns of plagiarism, authorship disputes, or any violations of ethical standards. In the case that misconduct is either suspected or confirmed the publisher or editor shall follow COPE’s guidelines (or equivalent) in dealing with allegations.
• Complaints: Authors or reviewers who believe that the journal's editorial process has been compromised or that ethical standards have not been adhered to may submit a formal complaint. Complaints should be submitted in writing to the journal’s editorial office, providing clear details regarding the nature of the complaint and any supporting evidence. The editorial team will thoroughly investigate all complaints and respond in a timely and transparent manner.
• Appeals: If an author disagrees with the editorial decision regarding a manuscript (such as a rejection or revision decision), they may appeal the decision. The appeal should be submitted in writing and include a clear rationale for why the decision is contested, along with any additional information that may support the appeal. The editorial team will carefully consider the appeal and, if necessary, consult with external experts or members of the editorial board before making a final decision. Appeals will be handled in an impartial and respectful manner.

Misconduct in Publication

Technophany adheres to a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct in publication. The following behaviors are considered unacceptable:

1. Plagiarism: The use of another person's work, ideas, or data without proper citation or permission, including copying, paraphrasing, or reproducing text, figures, or tables from other sources without adequate acknowledgment.
2. Fabrication and Falsification: Manipulating or inventing data, results, or research findings in order to mislead or deceive.
3. Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously or submitting work that has already been published without appropriate citation of the original publication.
4. Authorship Violations: Including authors who have not made a significant contribution to the research or excluding individuals who should be credited as authors.
5. Conflict of Interest: Failure to disclose relevant conflicts of interest, whether financial, personal, or professional, that could affect the interpretation or presentation of research.
6. Failure to Obtain Ethical Approval: Conducting research without the necessary ethical approval for research involving human or animal subjects, or failure to adhere to ethical guidelines for such research.

Consequences of Misconduct:

In cases of suspected misconduct, Technophany will follow a clear and transparent process to investigate the issue. Potential actions include, but are not limited to:

• Retraction or Correction: If a published article is found to have serious ethical issues or research misconduct, the article may be retracted, or a correction may be issued to address any inaccuracies.
• Notification of Institutions: If necessary, Technophany will notify the author's institution, funding bodies, or other relevant authorities of the misconduct.
• Reporting to Relevant Bodies: Serious cases of research misconduct may be reported to professional organizations, academic institutions, or regulatory bodies, as per ethical guidelines and industry standards.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility

As part of Technophany’s commitment to academic rigor and transparency, the journal strongly encourages the sharing of data and research materials to promote the reproducibility and verification of published research. We believe that open access to data and research materials not only supports the credibility of research findings but also fosters trust and collaboration within the academic community.

• Data Sharing: Authors are encouraged to make all relevant datasets and research materials publicly available whenever possible, either as supplementary files within the publication or through recognized data repositories. When sharing data is not feasible due to confidentiality, privacy concerns, or other legitimate reasons, authors should provide a clear justification for not sharing their data and outline any restrictions on its use. Authors should also ensure that any sensitive or proprietary data are handled in compliance with applicable ethical guidelines and legal requirements.

• Reproducibility: To support the reproducibility of research, authors are encouraged to provide sufficient methodological detail in their manuscripts, including detailed descriptions of experimental procedures, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. This enables other researchers to independently verify and reproduce the study’s results. In cases where specific software, tools, or protocols were used, authors should provide full access to these resources or describe how they can be obtained.

• Data Integrity: The journal places a high value on the accuracy and integrity of data presented in published articles. Authors must ensure that all data is presented truthfully, without manipulation or fabrication. In cases where data errors are discovered post-publication, authors are expected to work with the editorial team to issue corrections, retractions, or clarifications as necessary.

Certainly! Below is an example of a Journal’s Options for Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections that can be included in your journal’s Ethics Statement or publication policies:

Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections

At Technophany, Journal for Philosophy and Technology, we recognize that the process of scholarly communication does not end with the publication of an article. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic record and providing mechanisms for addressing any post-publication concerns, discussions, or necessary corrections. Our goal is to foster an open and transparent academic environment where issues can be addressed collaboratively and responsibly.

1. Post-Publication Discussions
We encourage constructive post-publication discussions and scholarly debate around published articles. Authors, readers, and other researchers are welcome to submit comments, critiques, or clarifications regarding published content. These discussions may take the form of:

• Letters to the Editor: Authors or readers may submit letters to the editor in response to a published article. These letters will be reviewed by the editorial board and, if deemed appropriate, may be published alongside the original article or in a dedicated section of the journal.

• Online Comments or Forum Discussions: In cases where the journal supports online platforms for interactive discussions, readers can engage with the authors or other scholars in a collaborative, respectful exchange of ideas and critiques.

We encourage authors to engage with these discussions and provide clarifications, corrections, or responses where necessary, ensuring that the scholarly dialogue is constructive and respectful.

2. Corrections, Retractions, and Clarifications
In line with our commitment to maintaining the academic integrity of the journal, we have established procedures for making corrections, issuing retractions, and providing clarifications when necessary.

• Erratum/Correction: If an error is identified in a published article (whether in data, calculations, typographical errors, or other factual inaccuracies), the author is responsible for submitting a correction. The editorial team will review the request and, if accepted, a formal erratum or correction notice will be published, clearly indicating the change or clarification made.

• Retraction: If a published article contains significant errors, ethical issues (such as plagiarism, data falsification, or issues with authorship), or violates ethical standards, the journal may issue a retraction. Retractions will be clearly marked in the article, and the reason for the retraction will be provided. The editorial board will carefully consider each case in consultation with the authors and, if necessary, external experts.

• Expression of Concern: In cases where there is significant doubt about the integrity of a published article but where retraction is not warranted, the journal may issue an "Expression of Concern." This notice will indicate that questions have been raised about the article and will provide a summary of the concerns. This allows for transparency while the issue is being investigated.

• Addendum or Amendment: If a published article requires clarification or additional context (e.g., a missed citation or an important methodological detail), authors may submit an addendum or amendment. This will be reviewed by the editorial team, and if appropriate, published alongside the original article.

3. Post-Publication Ethics Review
In the event that post-publication misconduct (such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical violations) is brought to the attention of the editorial team, the journal will follow a thorough and transparent review process. The editorial board will investigate the issue and take appropriate actions, which may include issuing a retraction, correction, or formal statement of concern.

4. Communication with Authors
Throughout the post-publication process, the editorial team will maintain open and respectful communication with authors regarding any issues related to discussions, corrections, or concerns. Authors will be given an opportunity to respond to critiques, clarify misunderstandings, or make corrections to their work in a timely manner.

This policy allows the journal to maintain academic rigor and transparency by providing clear avenues for addressing errors and fostering ongoing scholarly conversation after publication. It helps ensure that the published work remains trustworthy and accurate over time.

Diamond Open Access Commitment

As a diamond open-access journal, Technophany is committed to making high-quality, peer-reviewed research freely accessible to all readers without any cost to authors for publication. We believe in the importance of open access in promoting the dissemination of knowledge and fostering greater participation in the academic community. Authors and reviewers are encouraged to follow ethical guidelines for open access publishing, including the provision of proper attribution and the use of open, transparent peer review processes.