Policies

NGMC PUB Policies for Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST), (ISSN: 3048-9644)

Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College (NGMC PUB), powered by the Department of Library, is committed to fostering the widest possible dissemination of its published content. To this end, we adhere to the following core policies:

I. Open Access Policy

NGMC PUB operates under an open access policy, ensuring that all articles published through our platform are readily available online immediately upon publication. This signifies that access to our content is free of charge, unimpeded by subscription fees or registration requirements. Furthermore, all published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons license, specifically enabling the sharing and adaptation of the work, provided that appropriate attribution to the original authors is clearly stated.

II. Peer-Review Policy

Maintaining the rigor and quality of our publications is paramount. Therefore, NGMC PUB employs a rigorous double-blind peer-review process for all submitted manuscripts. This process entails the following steps:

• Each manuscript undergoes review by two subject matter experts possessing relevant expertise.
• The decision regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of a manuscript is based on a careful consideration of both reviewers’ reports.
• The Editor-in-Chief holds the ultimate responsibility for making the final decision on a manuscript, taking into account the feedback provided by the reviewers.
• To ensure the most informed decision, the Editor-in-Chief may consult with one or more members of the advisory board for their insights on a particular manuscript.
• Associate editors and review editors provide essential administrative support to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the peer-review process.
• In instances where authors present compelling arguments challenging a negative editorial decision, the manuscript may be submitted to an additional reviewer, with the final decision being based on their recommendations.

III. Licensing Policy

Recognizing the transformative potential of open access for research literature, NGMC PUB aims to minimize barriers to content reuse. Our licensing strategy leverages Creative Commons (CC) licenses, recognized as effective legal instruments for this purpose. Instead of adopting the traditional subscription-based model of exclusive right transfer to publishers, our authors grant NGMC PUB a non-exclusive license to distribute their work. Simultaneously, all readers and users are granted rights to reuse the content, consistent with the terms of the applied CC license. Specifically, NGMC PUB utilizes the CC-BY license. This license permits the unrestricted reuse of published content, contingent only upon the requirement that the original source is appropriately credited. As highlighted by Creative Commons (http://wiki.creativecommons.org/BIS_committee_UK_OA_Policy), the CC-BY license ensures authors receive due recognition for their contributions.

IV. Archiving Policy

To ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of our published content, NGMC PUB utilizes the Amazon Web Services (AWS) system. This system facilitates the creation of permanent archives of the journal content, enabling reliable restoration capabilities when necessary.

V. Publication Ethics

NGMC PUB publications uphold the highest standards of publication ethics. As an electronic, double-blind peer-reviewed journal, we are committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Any articles found to be in violation of publication ethics or involving malpractices will be retracted from publication, regardless of when the issue is detected. Specifically, we actively screen for plagiarism and research fabrication, which includes the falsification or manipulation of data, tables, and figures. Furthermore, ethical clearance regarding the use of human or animal subjects in research is a critical requirement. NGMC PUB reserves the right to employ plagiarism detection software at any stage of the submission and publication process. Suspected plagiarism or instances of duplicate publishing will be reported immediately.

VI. AI Policy

NGMC PUB adheres to the recommendations outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manuscript preparation. In alignment with COPE’s position statements (https://publicationethics.org/cope-position-statements/ai-author), Large Language Models (LLMs), including ChatGPT, do not meet the criteria for authorship. While AI-assisted copy editing is acceptable for minimizing human involvement in proofreading and grammatical corrections, AI-generated autonomous content creation is not permissible for claiming an ‘Original manuscript’ by a human author. Authors are required to declare how any AI tools were utilized in the preparation of their manuscript.

VII. Authorship and Responsibilities

Authorship Policy: NGMC PUB defines authorship as recognizing individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research and are accountable for the work. Our journal adheres to the authorship guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Further details can be found at [COPE Guidelines Link: https://publicationethics.org/files/COPE_DD_A4_Authorship_SEPT19_SCREEN_AW.pdf].

Author Responsibilities:

Authors submitting to NGMC PUB are expected to uphold the highest standards of research integrity. This includes:

• Originality and Prior Publication: Ensuring the submitted work is original and has not been previously published elsewhere.
• Proper Attribution: Appropriately crediting all other authors, contributors, and sources.
• Language and Accuracy: Taking responsibility for thorough language editing before submission.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: Confirming the work is free from plagiarism, in whole or in part.
• Disclosure of Funding and Conflicts: Declaring any financial support received and any potential conflicts of interest related to the research.
• Error Correction: Obligating themselves to promptly notify the editor upon discovering any errors or inaccuracies and cooperating in their correction.
• Ethical Submission Practices: Submitting articles exclusively through the online procedures and refraining from simultaneous submission to other publications, which constitutes a breach of publication ethics.

NGMC PUB, along with the Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST), follows the best practice guidelines established by COPE and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) for managing ethical issues in publications. This commitment is supported by our Journal Members (Advisory Board, editors, and journal manager) and aligns with the expectations of the Asian Council of Scientific Editors.

COPE International Standards for Authors:

The following summarizes COPE’s international standards for responsible research reporting, encouraging ethical conduct throughout the research process:

• Ethical Research Conduct: Research must be conducted ethically and responsibly, adhering to all relevant legislation.
• Honest Data Presentation: Results should be presented clearly and honestly, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.
• Methodological Transparency: Methods should be described clearly and unambiguously to allow for verification by others.
• Originality and Plagiarism Prevention: Submitted work must be original, not plagiarized, and unpublished elsewhere.
• Collective Accountability: Authors share collective responsibility for the submitted and published work.
• Accurate Authorship Representation: Authorship should accurately reflect each individual’s contribution to the work and its reporting.
• Disclosure of Funding and Conflicts: Funding sources and relevant conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

VIII. Ethical Clearance

NGMC PUB mandates that authors obtain the necessary approvals from Institutional Ethics Committees (IECs) or Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for research involving humans, human samples, or data. Authors must disclose this approval by providing the reference number and date of issue. While ethical approval levels may vary geographically, NGMC PUB emphasizes adherence to SCOPE guidelines for ethical clearance.

Specific Ethical Considerations:

• Experiments Involving Cell Lines: Authors using cancer-derived cell lines must disclose the source of supply with a reference number. If gifted, the original source must be disclosed. For cell lines of human origin, written consent is required, and in all cases, Institutional Ethical Committee approval is mandatory.
• Experiments Involving Plants: NGMC PUB encourages authors to comply with the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Convention on Biological Diversity when using wild or endangered plants. National or institutional permission is required when using infected plants or infecting plants with endemic pathogens.
• Clinical Protocols: Manuscripts based on clinical studies should adhere to the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) guidelines (http://www.spirit-statement.org/).
• Clinical Trial Policy: NGMC PUB follows the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a clinical study: “Any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes. Interventions include but are not restricted to drugs, cells, and other biological products, surgical procedures, radiological procedures, devices, behavioral treatments, process-of-care changes, preventive care, etc. This definition includes Phase I and Phase IV trials.

IX. Data Sharing Policy

NGMC PUB is committed to transparency in research publication and strongly encourages the public availability of research data. Therefore, authors are required to include a data availability statement in their manuscript. This statement should specify what data is available and where it can be accessed. Examples of data to be shared include modifications to protocols or algorithms, code, software, raw data, questionnaires, and genetic or peptide sequences.

We encourage authors to deposit and archive their research data in publicly accessible repositories. While sharing is encouraged, data subject to ethical or privacy restrictions should not be made publicly available. In such cases, authors must clearly state these limitations in their Data Availability Statement. However, the manuscript must include essential data, experimental protocols, or significant modifications to existing algorithms or code deemed necessary for publication.

NGMC PUB recommends utilizing platforms like the Open Science Framework (OSF) and Zenodo for data deposition and archiving. Authors are also encouraged to consult the Data Availability Statement guidelines provided by Nature Research or MDPI.

X. Editor’s Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for ensuring:

• Submitted manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review prior to publication.
• Potential conflicts of interest between authors, editors, and reviewers are proactively managed.
• All information pertaining to submitted manuscripts remains confidential before publication.

XI. Reviewer’s Responsibilities

Peer review is fundamental to maintaining the quality of publications. The Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST) facilitates this process by having editors mediate all interactions between reviewers and authors.

NGMC PUB adheres to the COPE guidelines for peer reviewers (COPE Council. COPE Ethical guidelines for peer reviewers — English. https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.1.9) and expects reviewers to uphold the following ethical principles:

• Professional Responsibility: Researchers who have benefited from the peer review process should consider contributing as reviewers. Individuals interested in reviewing should consult the journal’s peer review guidelines and meet any specific requirements. Editors strive to match reviewers with manuscript content expertise. Potential reviewers should provide accurate personal and professional information, including verifiable contact details. Impersonating another individual during the review process is considered serious misconduct. Accept invitations to review only if you possess the necessary expertise and can provide an unbiased assessment. Disclose any limitations in your expertise when invited.
• Competing Interests: Declare all potential competing or conflicting interests. If unsure about a potential conflict, raise the issue. Competing interests can be personal, financial, intellectual, professional, political, or religious. You should not agree to review if you are currently employed at the same institution as any author, or if you have had a recent (within the past 3 years) mentoring, collaboration, or joint grant relationship with the authors. Furthermore, do not agree to review solely to access the manuscript without intending to submit a review, or if the manuscript is substantially similar to your own work in preparation or under consideration elsewhere.
• Timeliness: Respond promptly to review invitations, even if declining. Accept invitations only if you can complete the review within the proposed or agreed timeframe. Inform the journal immediately if your circumstances change and you cannot fulfill your commitment or require an extension. If you decline, suggesting alternative reviewers with relevant expertise, free from personal bias or influence on the manuscript’s outcome, is helpful.

Reviewers are also expected to:

• Inform the editors of any significant overlap between the reviewed manuscript and other published works.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with institutions connected to the manuscript. Manuscripts with such undeclared conflicts may not be considered.

Plagiarism Policy:

Manuscripts detected with plagiarism during the review or editorial process will be immediately rejected. Depending on the severity, further action may be taken. If plagiarism is proven after publication, the manuscript will be removed from our website, and a public announcement will be made.

The Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’s Editorial Board may report instances of plagiarism to the author’s funding agencies, institutions, and the original authors whose work was plagiarized. Please report plagiarism to ngmcollegelibrary@gmail.com or editor@ngmc.ac.in.

Verification of Research Originality

The Editorial Board or Publisher of this journal reserves the authority to verify the originality of research submitted for publication by contacting the institution where the research was conducted.

XII. Special Issue Guidelines

The Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’ adheres to the quality standards set by the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) for special issue publications. Specifically, the following criteria apply to special issues and content curated by guest editors:

• The Editor-in-Chief retains overall responsibility for all journal content, including special issues, which must align with the journal’s scope.
• Articles in special issues undergo the same rigorous editorial oversight as regular submissions, including external peer review, and are clearly identified as part of a special issue.
• The journal ensures the credentials of guest editors are verified and approved.
• The Editor-in-Chief or designated board members supervise guest editors.
• To ensure impartiality, papers submitted to a special issue by the guest editor(s) undergo an independent review process and constitute no more than 25% of the issue’s total content.

XIII. Manuscript Withdrawal Policy

Authors are expected to adhere to the following policies after submitting a manuscript.

Authors must provide their consent for publication before the peer-review process begins. Withdrawing a manuscript after acceptance will incur a minimal article handling charge.

If an author withdraws an accepted manuscript after payment of the Article Processing Charge (APC), no refund will be issued.

Withdrawal of a manuscript due to indexing issues will not result in a refund of the APC.

XIV. Waiver Policy

The NGMC PUB, as the publisher, may grant partial or full waivers of article processing charges to authors facing financial hardship.

Waivers are only available to authors from low-income countries and are limited to one article per submitting author per year. Authors seeking a waiver should submit their request, along with the abstract, to indjst@gmail.com for confirmation prior to manuscript submission.

XV. Disclaimer

The author(s) of each article published in this journal are solely responsible for its content. Neither the Publisher, the journal editors, nor anyone involved in the creation, production, or distribution of this journal assumes any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information provided. Furthermore, they shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of the journal’s content.

XVI. Plagiarism Policy

Rigorous peer review is fundamental to the integrity of our publications. As part of our commitment to maintaining and enhancing this process, the Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’ ensures that all published articles meet acceptable standards of originality.

The publisher utilizes the widely accepted plagiarism detection tool, Plagiarism X, and potentially other tools, to screen all submitted manuscripts for plagiarism before the publishing cycle commences.

Manuscripts with detected plagiarism during the review or editorial process will be immediately rejected. Depending on the severity of the case, further action may be taken. If plagiarism is proven after publication, the manuscript will be removed from our website, and a public announcement will be made. The publisher or Journal Editor may also inform the author’s funding agencies and institutions, as well as the original authors whose work was plagiarized. Instances of suspected plagiarism should be reported to ngmcollegelibrary@gmail.com.

Article Retraction and Other Policies

This document outlines the policies of NGMC PUB and Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST) regarding article retraction, geopolitical neutrality, and privacy.

Article Retraction Policy

The Editor’s decision is the decisive factor in all scholarly publications. This decision is guided by established Editorial Policies, which align with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for retraction, and encompass issues such as plagiarism and copyright infringement.

While the integrity of the published record necessitates preserving articles in their original form, certain circumstances may warrant retraction, removal, or correction of a published article.

Reasons for Retraction may include:

• Plagiarism: The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.
• Bogus Authorship: The inclusion of individuals as authors who did not contribute significantly to the work, or the exclusion of individuals who did.
• Fraudulent Data: The fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of research data.
• Significant Errors in Publication: Major inaccuracies or flaws that invalidate the findings of the research.

Standards for Article Retraction at Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’:

In cases of retraction, the original article PDF will remain accessible on the website, clearly watermarked with the label “Retracted.” Complete removal or replacement of the PDF will only occur in exceptional circumstances, such as legal issues, significant factual inaccuracies that cannot be corrected with a retraction notice, or other controversial content. In such cases, a note explaining the removal will be provided.

Geopolitical Neutrality Statement

NGMC PUB maintains a position of geopolitical neutrality in all its publications. The views and affiliations expressed regarding trans-boundary rights of sovereign states, their representations, and institutional affiliations are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the publisher.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our website and services.

Information We Collect:

We collect information from you when you:

• Register on our site
• Place an order
• Respond to a survey or communication (e.g., email)
• Participate in site promotions

The information we may collect includes: your name, date of birth, email address, mailing address, phone number, and, when processing payments, credit card information.

How We Use Your Information:

The information we collect may be used for the following purposes:

• To efficiently and securely process transactions.
• To administer promotions, surveys, or other site features.
• To improve our customer service by effectively responding to your requests.
• To send you periodic emails regarding NGMC PUB, Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’, and their publications, provided you have opted-in to receive such communications.

Email Communication Preferences:

If you have chosen to receive emails and newsletters from NGMC PUB and Academic Research Journal of Science and Technology (ARJST)’, we may send you updates on our products and news. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided at the bottom of each email. Visitors who register or participate in site features have the option to subscribe to our email list.

Protecting Your Information:

We implement various security measures to protect the confidentiality of your personal information. Your personal data is stored behind secured networks with restricted access granted only to authorized personnel who are obligated to maintain its confidentiality. When you place orders or access your personal information, we utilize a secure server. All sensitive and credit card information is transmitted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our databases, accessible only as described in this policy.

Disclosure to Outside Parties:

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personally identifiable information to external parties without providing you with advance notice, except as detailed below. “Outside parties” does not include our website hosting partners and other entities that assist us in operating our website, conducting our business/publications, or providing services to you, provided they agree to keep this information confidential.

We may also release your information when we believe it is necessary to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others. Non-personally identifiable visitor/author information may be shared with other parties for marketing, advertising, academic, or other purposes.

Opting-Out, Removing, or Modifying Your Information:

You can modify your email subscriptions or completely opt-out of receiving emails related to NGMC PUB and its publications by contacting us at editor@ngmc.ac.in and requesting the removal of your company, name, or account from our email list. Please be aware that you may still receive emails already in production at the time of your request.

Changes to Our Privacy Policy:

If we decide to update our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. Any changes will apply only to information collected after the date of the revision.

This online privacy policy pertains solely to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline.

Website Terms and Conditions of Use

Welcome to the website of Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College (NGMC PUB), referred to as “Publisher.” By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Website Terms and Conditions of Use, our Privacy Policy, and the NGMC PUB Policy (collectively, the “Website Conditions”).

This agreement applies to all visitors and users, including when you make an inquiry, submit articles for publication, or order products or services through this website. Specific terms and conditions related to those activities may also apply and will be presented to you at the relevant time.

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all of the Website Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these conditions, you must immediately stop using this website.

We reserve the right to revise and update these Website Conditions at any time. Your continued use of the website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms. Please review these terms periodically for updates.

While NGMC PUB strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website, errors may occasionally occur. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Therefore, we encourage you to review these Website Terms and Conditions of Use regularly to stay informed of any changes.