Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement of MAJ

Introduction

Publication malpractice is an unfortunate occurrence in the world of scholarly literature. Preventing it is the shared responsibility of authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and institutions. As a scholarly journal, MAJ, published by the Madras Agricultural Student’s Union (MASU), upholds strict policies on publication ethics and malpractice. The journal adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows international best practices to ensure integrity, transparency, and academic excellence.

Editorial Board

The MAJ Editorial Board consists of experts in agriculture and technology. The full list of board members and their affiliations is available at editorial board.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Editorial Decisions: The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision on manuscript acceptance, considering reviewer recommendations, legal aspects (defamation, copyright infringement, and plagiarism), and scholarly merit.
• Impartiality: Editors must evaluate manuscripts solely based on intellectual merit, regardless of race, gender, religion, or political beliefs.
• Confidentiality: Manuscript information must not be disclosed to anyone except the author, reviewers, or publisher.
• Ethical Oversight: Editors handle allegations of misconduct fairly, ensuring proper investigations and issuing necessary corrections or retractions.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Peer Review Role: Reviewers assist editors in making editorial decisions and help authors improve manuscripts.
• Confidentiality: Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents.
• Objectivity: Reviewers should provide unbiased and constructive feedback without personal criticism.
• Plagiarism and Ethical Concerns: If a reviewer identifies ethical issues or similarities with existing work, they should report it to the editor immediately.

Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Accuracy: Submissions must be original, properly cited, and accurately reported.
• Plagiarism and Acknowledgment: Authors must ensure proper attribution and avoid any form of plagiarism.
• Data Integrity: Data should be transparent and reproducible, with raw data available upon request.
• Ethical Compliance: Research involving humans or animals must comply with ethical guidelines, with documented ethics committee approval.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: All financial or personal conflicts must be declared during submission.
• Corrections and Retractions: Authors must promptly notify the journal of any significant errors in their published work.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be limited to individuals who made significant contributions to the research. Co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript. Individuals who contributed indirectly should be acknowledged.

For more details, concerns, and clarifications, please contact maj@tnau.ac.in.