Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. The journal follows the principles and best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved in the publishing process—authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers—to adhere to these ethical standards.

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all participants and the measures taken to prevent and address publication malpractice.

Duties of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal are expected to ensure that:

  • The work submitted is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere

  • All sources are properly cited and acknowledged

  • Data presented are accurate, honest, and verifiable

  • All listed authors have made a significant scholarly contribution to the work

  • Any conflict of interest (financial, institutional, or personal) is clearly disclosed

  • Ethical approval has been obtained where required (e.g., human or animal studies)

  • Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and image manipulation are strictly avoided

Authors must cooperate with editors in responding to reviewer comments and correcting errors when identified.

Duties of Editors

Editors of Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal are responsible for:

  • Making publication decisions based solely on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance

  • Ensuring a fair, unbiased, and confidential peer-review process

  • Maintaining confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities

  • Managing conflicts of interest and ensuring editorial independence

  • Taking appropriate action in cases of suspected ethical misconduct, including retractions or corrections

  • Ensuring compliance with COPE guidelines and journal policies

Duties of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Conduct reviews in an objective, fair, and timely manner

  • Treat manuscripts as confidential documents

  • Declare any conflict of interest and decline review where appropriate

  • Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback to authors

  • Identify relevant published work not cited and alert editors to potential ethical concerns

Reviewers must not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal advantage.

Duties of the Publisher

The publisher of Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal is committed to:

  • Supporting editorial independence and ethical publishing practices

  • Ensuring long-term digital accessibility of published content

  • Addressing ethical issues in collaboration with editors and reviewers

  • Maintaining transparency in journal operations and policies

Plagiarism and Originality

Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts are subject to plagiarism screening before acceptance. Manuscripts found to contain significant plagiarism will be rejected immediately or retracted if published.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously or publish substantially similar content elsewhere. Redundant or duplicate publication constitutes unethical behavior and is not permitted.

Data Fabrication and Falsification

The journal does not tolerate fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data. Authors may be requested to provide raw data for editorial review if concerns arise regarding data integrity.

Conflicts of Interest

All participants in the publication process must disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or evaluation of a manuscript.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

When significant errors or ethical violations are identified:

  • Corrections will be issued for honest errors

  • Retractions will be published for serious ethical breaches

  • Expressions of Concern may be issued while investigations are ongoing

Ethical Oversight

Vagisha International Multidisciplinary Research Journal takes all allegations of publication malpractice seriously and investigates them in accordance with COPE flowcharts and procedures. Appropriate actions will be taken to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.