Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The International Journal of Complex Systems Management and Interdisciplinary Studies (IJCS-MIS) is a peer-reviewed journal published by the Centre for Complex Systems and Interdisciplinary Studies (CCSIS). This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

IJCSMIS adheres to the COPE's Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors (PDF).

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of research in IJCS-MIS represents an essential contribution to the scientific community's understanding of complex systems and interdisciplinary studies. It reflects the quality of the authors' work and their supporting institutions. We maintain rigorous ethical standards for all parties involved in the publication process: authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

As publisher, CCSIS takes seriously its responsibility for ethical oversight at all publication stages. We ensure that commercial interests do not influence editorial decisions.

Publication Decisions

The editors of IJCS-MIS are responsible for deciding which submitted articles should be published. Decisions are based on:

  • Academic merit and scientific validity

  • Importance to researchers and readers

  • Adherence to journal scope

  • Compliance with legal requirements regarding libel, copyright, and plagiarism

Editors may consult with reviewers and editorial board members when making decisions.

Plagiarism Screening

All submissions are screened for plagiarism using Turnitin. Manuscripts with unacceptable similarity scores (>15% overall) will be rejected or require revision.

Non-Discrimination Policy

We evaluate manuscripts based solely on intellectual content without regard to authors' race, gender, religion, nationality, or institutional affiliation.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must maintain strict confidentiality regarding submitted manuscripts. Information may only be shared with:

  • Corresponding author

  • Reviewers

  • Editorial advisors

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors and reviewers must:

  • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest

  • Not use unpublished materials from submissions for personal research

  • Decline review invitations when conflicts exist

Duties of Reviewers

1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists editors in making publication decisions and helps authors improve their work.

2. Promptness

Reviewers must complete evaluations within the agreed timeframe. Delayed reviews may result in reassignment.

3. Confidentiality

Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents. Our double-blind review process protects anonymity.

4. Objectivity

Reviews should be:

  • Evidence-based

  • Constructive

  • Free from personal bias

5. Acknowledgement of Sources

Reviewers should:

  • Identify relevant uncited work

  • Alert editors to any substantial overlap with other publications

6. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline to evaluate manuscripts where conflicts exist with authors or their institutions.

Duties of Authors

1. Reporting Standards

Authors must:

  • Present accurate, original research

  • Provide sufficient detail for reproducibility

  • Avoid fraudulent or misleading claims

2. Data Access and Retention

Authors should retain raw data and provide it upon request for editorial review.

3. Originality and Plagiarism

Submissions must:

  • Be original work

  • Properly attribute others' work
    Plagiarized manuscripts will be rejected.

4. Multiple Submission Policy

Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical.

5. Acknowledgement of Sources

Authors must properly cite all influential works.

6. Authorship Criteria

Authorship is limited to those who have made significant contributions. All co-authors must approve the final manuscript.

7. Disclosure of Conflicts

Authors must declare:

  • All financial conflicts of interest

  • Funding sources

8. Error Correction

Authors must promptly notify editors of significant errors in published work and cooperate on corrections.

By maintaining these ethical standards, IJCS-MIS ensures the integrity and quality of published research in complex systems and interdisciplinary studies.