Publication Ethics

UOL Publisher upholds the ethical principles of scholarly publishing at the highest level of integrity. We comply with the policies set by The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and actively compliance with ethical norms in research, reviewing, and editorial work. This policy is meant to assist in clarifying boundaries of ethical publishing, and recommendations for proactive compliance with the criteria set are provided to the authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Research & Publishing Ethics

All submitted manuscripts should demonstrate robust, good-faith, and novel scholarly work. Research under consideration with another publication is not permissible, nor should any submissions contain defamatory, unlawful, or plagiarized content. Authors are responsible for acquiring permissions for third-party materials and consents for mentioning or citing individuals or entities. Authorship must reflect genuine participation; ghost or honorary authorship is not permitted. Any discovered violation after publication may result in changes, withdrawals, or ethical inquiries as per COPE policies.

AI and Peer Review

Peer review is sensitive. Both confidentiality and integrity are critical components. UOL Publisher prohibits using AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) for any form of submission review, editing, or evaluation. Every reviewer must complete all evaluations independently of AI synergy. Misuse of AI in the review process will be considered misconduct and will be investigated.

Attribution

Citations should ensure all previously disseminated works, such as preprints, presentations and conference papers, are cited adequately for complete transparency. All references must adhere to APA 7 and be thorough and precise.

Authorship

All listed authors must:

  • Contribute significantly to conception, data collection, or interpretation.
  • Participate in drafting or revising the manuscript.
  • Approve the final version.
  • Be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Authorship disputes and ghost authorships, along with guest authorships, fall under the guidelines of COPE and are considered unethical in scholarly publishing. An LLM cannot be given authorship of a published document. Furthermore, if AI tools are employed for language refinement, a distinct statement regarding those disclosures must accompany the manuscript.

Generative AI Usage

  • Authors may not use generative AI tools to write sections of the manuscript (e.g., literature reviews, abstracts, or results).
  • AI may assist with data analysis but not produce data or conclusions.
  • AI-generated images are not permitted.
  • Language tools for grammar/spelling are acceptable with disclosure.

Citation Manipulation

Citations should be pertinent and meaningful. Self-citation, coercive citing by reviewers or editors, and citation pushing meant to inflate metrics are all prohibited. Any manuscripts submitted will be screened for such irregularities, and any such manipulation will be sanctioned and reported to the relevant institutions. Editors or reviewers who participated in unethical practices concerning citations will be suspended and investigated.

Conflicts of Interest

All stakeholders are required to disclose any potential conflicts unrelated to the review or publication processes that may affect their involvement in it. This could include sponsorship, membership, or even previous and current editorships. Non-disclosure may result in manuscript rejection, further inquiry, or additional penalties.

Defamation and Libel

It is the authors’ responsibility to secure written approval when using the names of individuals or entities that are identifiable. Submissions must be free of defamatory statements. If defamatory statements are identified post-publication, the publication is subject to retraction.

Fabricated Data and Image Manipulation

UOL Publisher does not allow any form of data fabrication or image alteration. Any altered images must not misrepresent the results. During reviews or investigations after publication, accurate data can be demanded. Confirmed cases will lead to rejection or retraction.

Grievance Procedure

Concerns about editorial judgments are required to be submitted in writing and will be addressed without undue delay. Appeals are permitted for decisions believed to result from an incorrect assumption or misinterpretation of facts. A decision will be rendered within two months. Issues that remain unresolved may be escalated to the designated Ombudsperson.

Ethics Approval and Consent

Manuscripts involving human or animal participants must include:

  • Name of the ethics board
  • Approval number (if applicable)
  • Confirmation of informed consent

If not required, authors must explain why. Manuscripts without appropriate statements will be returned.

Ethics Oversight

An autonomous Ethics committee and Ombudsperson resolve any unaddressed disputes and instances of misconduct. Such issues can be sent through emails to Research.journals@oric.uol.edu.pk All questions and submissions are kept confidential. The procedures follow COPE guidelines and may involve cross-institutional partnerships.

Informed Consent and Ethical Approval

It is the responsibility of the authors to confirm that informed consent has been obtained and that ethical approval has been granted before conducting any research involving human, animal, or sensitive data. These details need to be captured in the moral statement, including, but not limited to, reference numbers and compliance with both local and global benchmarks.

Consent to Publish

Authors should get permission for publication in cases where personal information, for instance, images, case history information, or direct quotes, is included. For all publications, forms of consent must guarantee that participants understand and agree to the publication process.

Third-Party Datasets

If using third-party datasets, authors must confirm the availability of permissions or the public domain status. Anonymization of data is required unless otherwise approved.

Plagiarism

UOL Publisher utilizes Turnitin and Crossref Similarity Check for plagiarism detection. These systems identify misconduct such as verbatim copying, paraphrasing without proper citation, or the use of protected works without appropriate authorization. Submissions undergo rejection or retraction processes in cases of verified plagiarism.

Publishing Permissions

To permit the use of certain materials, written permission must be obtained. Submissions that lack proof of necessary permissions shall not be accepted. Legal obligations include laws about copyright infringement.

Self-Plagiarism

Text recycling without proper citation is prohibited. If prior content is reused, it must be referenced and disclosed during submission. Violations are treated similarly to plagiarism.

Handling Allegations of Plagiarism

Every allegation is handled confidentially, following COPE’s procedures. The accused party is given the chance to reply. Malicious or Fraudulent allegations are disregarded. Verified cases are subject to appropriate penalties, including but not limited to sanctions, retractions, or institutional notifications.

Redundant Publication

Duplicate submissions are not allowed. Authors must wait for decisions from one journal before submitting them to another. Any detected duplication will result in rejection or retraction.

Our Promise

UOL Publisher ensures that all ethical issues are addressed with professionalism, equity, and transparency. We are compliant with COPE guidelines and uphold all other applicable rights concerning every party engaged in the scholarly communication process. Any inquiry is comprehensive and objective, and every decision made is made with the integrity of the academic record impartial.