Core Ethical Principles
The foundation of trustworthy academic publishing
Originality
All submitted work must be original. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and will result in immediate rejection.
Transparency
Authors must disclose all conflicts of interest, funding sources, and relevant affiliations.
Integrity
Data must not be fabricated or falsified. Results should be presented honestly without manipulation.
Accountability
All authors are accountable for their work. Authorship must reflect genuine intellectual contribution.
Responsibilities
Ethical publishing is a shared responsibility
Author Responsibilities
- Ensure the work is original and has not been published elsewhere
- Properly cite all sources and obtain necessary permissions
- Disclose all conflicts of interest and funding sources
- Ensure all listed authors meet authorship criteria (ICMJE)
- Obtain ethics approval for human/animal research
- Maintain data records and share upon reasonable request
- Notify the editor promptly of any errors discovered
- Not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously
Editor Responsibilities
- Evaluate manuscripts based solely on academic merit
- Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts
- Disclose and avoid conflicts of interest
- Ensure fair and unbiased peer review process
- Act promptly on ethical concerns and complaints
- Maintain editorial independence from commercial interests
- Provide clear feedback and transparent decisions
- Support diversity and inclusion in publishing
Reviewer Responsibilities
- Provide objective and constructive feedback
- Maintain confidentiality of manuscript contents
- Declare any conflicts of interest
- Complete reviews within agreed timeframes
- Not use unpublished work without author permission
- Report suspected misconduct to the editor
- Decline reviews outside their expertise
- Treat all authors fairly regardless of background
Misconduct & Malpractice
We take research misconduct seriously. Here is how we handle different types of violations.
Plagiarism
SevereUsing others' work without proper attribution, including self-plagiarism.
Action Taken:
Immediate rejection; may contact institution
Data Fabrication
SevereCreating or inventing data not obtained through research.
Action Taken:
Rejection and reporting to institution/funder
Data Falsification
SevereManipulating research data or results to mislead.
Action Taken:
Rejection and investigation; potential retraction
Duplicate Submission
ModerateSubmitting same work to multiple journals simultaneously.
Action Taken:
Immediate rejection; warning issued
Authorship Disputes
ModerateIncluding non-contributors or excluding genuine contributors.
Action Taken:
Investigation; correction required before proceeding
Citation Manipulation
ModerateExcessive self-citation or coercive citation practices.
Action Taken:
Revision required; may reject if severe
Zero Tolerance Policy
Confirmed cases of data fabrication or falsification will result in permanent ban from future submissions and notification of the authors' institution.
Corrections & Retractions
We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the published record
Correction
For minor errors that do not affect findings or conclusions. Linked to the original article.
Expression of Concern
When investigation is ongoing or evidence is inconclusive about validity of findings.
Retraction
For serious errors or misconduct. Article marked but remains available with notice.
Committee on Publication Ethics
Hanford Journal is committed to following COPE guidelines and best practices. COPE provides advice and resources on publication ethics for editors, publishers, and researchers.
Ethics FAQ
Common questions about publication ethics
If misconduct is confirmed after publication, we follow COPE guidelines which may include: issuing a correction, issuing an expression of concern, or retracting the article. The authors' institution and funding bodies may be notified.
Email our editorial office at [email protected] with specific details. Reports can be made anonymously. All reports are investigated confidentially following COPE procedures.
Plagiarism includes: copying text without attribution, paraphrasing without citation, reusing your own published work without disclosure (self-plagiarism), and using others' ideas without credit. We use plagiarism detection software on all submissions.
We follow ICMJE authorship criteria. Authors must have: (1) made substantial contributions to conception/design or data acquisition/analysis, (2) drafted or critically revised the work, (3) approved the final version, and (4) agreed to be accountable for all aspects.
All authors must declare potential conflicts including: financial relationships, personal relationships, academic competition, or institutional affiliations that could bias their work. Declarations are published with accepted articles.
Yes, authors may appeal ethics decisions within 30 days by providing detailed written response addressing the concerns. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and may involve external consultation.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Contact our support teamReport a Concern
If you suspect research misconduct or have ethical concerns about published work, please contact us confidentially.
Questions About Ethics?
Our editorial team can help clarify ethical requirements before you submit your manuscript.