Journal Policy

Journal Policy

  1. Publication Ethics Policy

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. We adhere to the guidelines set forth by The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the research we publish. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with these principles.

  1. Authorship Guidelines
  2. Substantial Contribution: Authors must make a significant contribution to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the research work.
  3. Accountability: Authors are responsible for the work and must be able to defend its content. This includes final approval of the version to be published.
  4. Authorship Responsibilities

Authors are expected to fulfill the following responsibilities to be eligible for authorship:

  1. Data Accuracy Guarantor: One of the authors, identified as the corresponding author, must ensure the accuracy of the data presented in the manuscript and grant final clearance for publication.
  2. Contribution to Intellectual Substance: Either Authors should be involved in composing the article or critically editing it to ensure the key intellectual substance is maintained.
  3. Authorship Qualification

Authors who meet the three criteria mentioned above are qualified to be listed as authors on the manuscript. It is crucial to note that all those designated as authors should meet the following five criteria for authorship:

  1. Substantial contribution to the work.
  2. Accountability for the work and its published form.
  3. Involvement in significant aspects such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation, or idea and design.
  4. Participation in composing the article or critically editing it for key intellectual substance.
  5. Final approval of the published version.
  1. Corresponding Author

The corresponding author plays a pivotal role in the publication process. This individual is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the data, obtaining final approval from all authors, and serving as the primary point of contact with the editorial team. The corresponding author should be clearly mentioned during the submission process.

  1. Adherence to Discipline-Specific Guidelines

Authors are accountable for following discipline-specific guidelines relevant to their research area. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the manuscript being rejected or returned for revisions.

  1. Contributions Statement and Submission Requirements

Author Contribution Statement

Authors submitting manuscripts to International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) are required to provide a detailed contribution statement for each author. This statement should outline the specific roles and contributions of each author in the research process. The contributions are categorized as follows:

Conceptualization

Data Curation

Formal Analysis

Funding Acquisition

Investigation

Methodology

Project Administration

Supervision

Validation

Visualization

Roles/Writing - Original Draft

Writing - Review and Editing

  1. Submission Statement Requirement

Authors must include this contribution statement as part of their manuscript submission. The submission statement should clearly specify the role and contribution of each author in the categories. This comprehensive and transparent declaration of author contributions is crucial for acknowledging individual efforts and ensuring ethical publishing practices.

  1. Importance of Complete Submission

Incomplete submission of the author contribution statement may result in delays in the processing of the manuscript. It is imperative that authors thoroughly fill out the contribution form to facilitate a timely and efficient review process.

  1. Submission Guidelines

Authors are encouraged to carefully review and complete the contribution statement form provided during the submission process. Failure to provide a detailed contribution statement may lead to a request for additional information or, in extreme cases, delay the review and publication of the manuscript

Corresponding Author and Author's Information Policy

Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author is the primary point of contact between the authoring team and International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS). This individual is responsible for effective communication with the journal throughout the publication process. The corresponding author should be readily available to respond to queries, provide clarifications, and cooperate with the editorial team. It is essential that the corresponding author remains accessible and engaged from submission through publication.

  1. Author's Address and Affiliation

Authors are required to submit a comprehensive list of co-authors along with their respective affiliations and email addresses. This information is crucial for establishing the professional identity and contact details of each author. Clear and accurate affiliations facilitate proper attribution of contributions and ensure effective communication during the editorial and publication processes.

  1. Alterations in the List of Authors

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) does not endorse making changes to the list of authors after manuscript submission. This includes both the addition and removal of authors. The authorship list provided during submission is considered final, and any alterations may compromise the integrity of the publication process. Authors are advised to carefully review and confirm the list of authors before submitting their manuscripts.

  1. Authorship Integrity and Transparency

Maintaining the integrity and transparency of authorship information is paramount. Authors should be diligent in accurately representing their contributions and affiliations. Any concerns or discrepancies in authorship information should be addressed promptly during the submission process.

  1. Privacy Policy Statement

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) is committed to maintaining the trust and relationship with all authors and reviewers. The protection of personal information and privacy is a top priority for us. Authors and reviewers are urged to carefully read and understand the following privacy policy:

  1. Privacy Awareness

All authors and reviewers are expected to familiarize themselves with this privacy policy. Should there be any need for clarification or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant department.

  1. Authors' Personal Information

When individuals contact International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) for manuscript submission, inquiries, reviews, participation in discussions, or the provision of any service, they may provide personal information. This information includes, but is not limited to, name, email address, contact number, mailing address, educational details, and subject and technical expertise.

  1. Data Retention and Usage

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) retains all information shared by authors and reviewers securely in office records for a period of 5 years. The collected information is used solely for the purpose it was intended. We are committed to safeguarding the confidentiality and privacy of this data.

  1. Security Measures

Personal information is treated with the utmost care and is kept secure. In electronic records, personal data is encrypted and protected by passwords. In cases where information is in paper format, it is stored under strict lock and key to prevent unauthorized access.

  1. Confidentiality Commitment

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) respects the confidentiality of authors' and reviewers' personal information. We do not share, sell, or disclose this information to third parties without explicit consent, unless required by law.

  1. Updates to Privacy Policy

This privacy policy may be updated periodically to reflect any changes in our practices or regulations. Authors and reviewers are encouraged to check this policy regularly for any updates.

 

Contact Information

For any privacy-related queries or concerns, please contact the relevant department at [CONTACT EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER].

  1. Author’s/Reviewer’s Rights

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) is committed to upholding the rights of authors, reviewers, and other coordinators in accordance with data ownership, intellectual property rights, and relevant protection regulations of Pakistan. It is recommended that all concerned individuals develop a comprehensive understanding of their rights as per national policies.

  1. Acknowledgment Criteria

Authors are required to provide acknowledgments in their submissions, recognizing individuals who contributed to the research but did not meet the criteria for authorship. This may include individuals who provided language assistance, writing support, or proofreading for the article.

  1. Conflict of Interest

Authors are obligated to declare any potential conflicts of interest before the references section. This includes but is not limited to grants, honorariums, memberships, data ownership rights, and ownership of the study location. If no conflict of interest exists, authors should explicitly state, "none to declare."

  1. Plagiarism Policy

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS) is dedicated to ensuring the originality of all submitted manuscripts. To assess this, Turnitin services will be employed to conduct a similarity check. Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding the limit of >=19% will be returned to authors for further correction, as per the criteria set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

  1. Ethical Guidelines and Policies
  2. Funding Disclosure:

Authors utilizing research grants must disclose and declare them accurately. Detailed information on the spending of the grant should be provided. If no funding is involved, authors should explicitly state "none to declare."

  1. Editorial Triage:

Initial scrutiny at the editorial office involves evaluating submissions for plagiarism, novelty, and alignment with the publication's theme. Editorial triage decisions include acceptance, rejection, revision, or holding for further consideration based on various factors.

  1. Peer Review:

Peer review is a double-blind process, and manuscripts are sent to experienced external peer reviewers to ensure rigorous evaluation.

  1. Redundant Publication:

Redundant publication, where two or more papers share the same hypothesis, data, or conclusions, is discouraged. Text-matching software is used to detect redundancy. Authors with major overlap are contacted, and documentation of non-publication elsewhere is requested. Minor overlaps or re-analyses are addressed through communication and material removal.

  1. Duties of Editors:

Editors make decisions based on a paper's importance, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal's remit.

They explain the editorial and peer-review processes, ensure fair treatment, respond promptly to queries, and facilitate quick publication.

Editors disclose financial interests, show sympathy for appeals, and ensure negative results are not excluded.

Protection of human subjects' confidentiality and promotion of self-correction are priorities.

Corrections to major flaws in published papers are promptly addressed.

  1. Rejected Articles - Appeals:

Authors have the right to appeal against rejected manuscripts by providing detailed explanations. Appeals are reviewed, and decisions are made accordingly.

Manuscripts with material reproduced without proper clearance will face rejection.

Reproducing Material Published by International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS)

The journal does not grant permission for the reproduction of any part of its publication without prior consent from the journal or author.

  1. Withdrawal Policy:

Copyright belongs to the journal upon manuscript submission, and simultaneous submission to multiple journals is considered unethical.

Authors intending to withdraw a manuscript must email their intention during processing. A withdrawal form, signed by all authors, must be returned in a scanned format. A formal letter of withdrawal will be issued, and the manuscript will be considered withdrawn.

Fee and Funding

International Journal of Physics and Materials Science (IJPMS)is an open-access journal. Currently IJPMS is funded by The University of Lahore, and no process or publication fee is being charged from authors.

All submissions are made through Open Journal System (OJS), where authors can submit their manuscript without any fee.