Publication Ethics

OSTI (Originality System of Technology Information) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior in all aspects of the publishing process. The journal follows the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Below is a detailed overview of the ethical guidelines for authors, reviewers, editors, and the journal itself:

1. Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Plagiarism:
  Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original and have not been published elsewhere or under review by another journal. Proper citation and acknowledgment of all sources are mandatory. Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited.
• Accurate Reporting:
  Authors must present their research findings honestly and accurately. Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of data is unethical and unacceptable.
• Authorship Criteria:
  Only individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research and manuscript preparation should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest:
  Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of their work.
• Data Access and Retention:
  Authors should be prepared to provide raw data related to their research upon request and ensure that data is retained for a reasonable period after publication.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality:
  Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents and must not disclose or discuss their contents with anyone outside the review process.
• Objectivity:
  Reviews should be conducted impartially and based solely on the manuscript's scholarly merit, without any personal bias. Constructive feedback should be provided to assist authors in improving their work.
• Acknowledgment of Sources:
  Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and notify the editor of any substantial similarity between the manuscript and other published works.
• Conflict of Interest:
  Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that might influence their evaluation and recuse themselves from the review process if necessary.

3. Responsibilities of Editors

• Fair and Impartial Decisions:
  Editors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted manuscripts are evaluated fairly and without bias based on their academic and scientific merit. Editorial decisions must not be influenced by the authors’ gender, race, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or affiliations.
• Confidentiality:
  Editors must ensure the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and the identity of authors and reviewers.
• Handling Research Misconduct:
  Editors are obligated to act promptly and transparently in cases of suspected research misconduct, including plagiarism, falsification, or ethical violations. Investigations will follow COPE guidelines to ensure fairness and due process.
• Conflict of Interest:
  Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and ensure that they do not influence editorial decisions.

4. Responsibilities of the Journal

• Transparency:
  OSTI is committed to transparency in all publishing practices, including peer review, licensing, copyright policies, and fee structures. These details are clearly stated on the journal’s website.
• Ethical Oversight:
  The journal is responsible for ensuring ethical oversight of the publication process, including addressing concerns related to research misconduct, authorship disputes, and conflicts of interest.
• Inclusivity:
  OSTI promotes diversity and inclusivity in its editorial policies, ensuring equal opportunities for authors, reviewers, and editors from all backgrounds.
• Corrections and Retractions:
  The journal is committed to correcting errors in published works. Retractions or corrections will be issued promptly and transparently when errors or misconduct are identified.

5. Publication Integrity

OSTI does not tolerate unethical practices such as:

• Plagiarism, duplicate publication, or redundant submissions.
• Manipulation of citations or unethical influence on the review process.
• Fraudulent practices or misrepresentation of data and findings.