Publication Ethics Policy

Core Ethical Principles

JATR adheres to the ethical frameworks established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). These principles guide our editorial process, ensuring scientific integrity, fairness and respect for the academic community.

Guiding Ethos: Transparency, honesty, and respect for intellectual contributions form the foundation of JATR’s editorial ethics.

Authorship and Contribution Criteria

Authorship should reflect significant intellectual contribution to the research. JATR follows ICMJE’s four authorship criteria:

  • Substantial contributions to conception or design; or data acquisition, analysis or interpretation.
  • Drafting or critically revising the manuscript.
  • Final approval of the version to be published.
  • Accountability for all aspects of the work.

Ghost, guest or honorary authorship is unethical and not permitted. Contributors not meeting these criteria should be listed under “Acknowledgments.”

Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts must represent original work. JATR screens submissions using iThenticate and Turnitin. Plagiarism—including self-plagiarism—is grounds for immediate rejection or retraction. Authors are expected to cite prior work appropriately and disclose reuse of text, data or images.

Conflicts of Interest

Transparency about financial or personal interests is essential. All authors, reviewers and editors must declare potential conflicts that could influence the research or decision-making. Conflicts may include financial ties, consultancy, employment, patent ownership or personal relationships.

Disclosures appear in the “Conflict of Interest” section of published articles.

Human and Animal Research Ethics

Studies involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki (2013 revision). Animal research must follow the ARRIVE guidelines and institutional standards for humane treatment. Authors must include ethics committee approval numbers and informed consent statements in their manuscripts.

Peer Review Integrity

JATR maintains a double-blind peer-review process. Reviewers are selected based on subject expertise and must disclose conflicts before accepting review invitations. Editors ensure reviews are objective, timely, and constructive. Reviewer misconduct—including breaches of confidentiality—is taken seriously and results in removal from the reviewer database.

Handling Publication Misconduct

Allegations of misconduct (plagiarism, falsification, duplication, unethical research) are investigated under COPE flowcharts. Actions may include:

  • Rejection during review or retraction post-publication.
  • Corrections for honest errors.
  • Notification of institutions or funders for serious violations.

All outcomes are documented and made transparent through official statements or errata.

Data Accuracy, Access and Retention

Authors must ensure data integrity by maintaining accurate records of research procedures and analyses. Datasets, protocols, and materials should be preserved for at least five years after publication. Editors may request raw data for verification during review or investigation.

Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern

JATR follows COPE and Crossref retraction guidelines:

  • Correction: For honest errors not affecting conclusions.
  • Retraction: For confirmed unethical conduct or data fabrication.
  • Expression of Concern: For unresolved investigations.

Retracted articles remain accessible with visible “Retracted” notices to preserve the academic record.

Publisher Responsibilities

Heighten Science Publications Inc. ensures editorial independence and supports COPE-compliant ethical oversight. The publisher commits to preserving scientific integrity through digital archiving, conflict management, and transparent pricing policies for Article Processing Charges (APCs).

Ethical Education and Prevention

To promote ethical awareness, JATR provides training for authors, reviewers and editors, including webinars and guidance documents on publication ethics, plagiarism prevention and responsible data reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if ethical misconduct is alleged after publication?

The journal investigates using COPE flowcharts. Depending on findings, a correction, retraction or expression of concern is issued publicly.

Does JATR publish corrections or errata?

Yes. Minor factual errors are corrected via erratum notices linked to the original article DOI.

How does JATR prevent predatory publishing practices?

By maintaining transparent policies, peer-review integrity, and indexing through reputable services like DOAJ, Crossref, and Google Scholar.