Publication Ethics and Integrity

Introduction

The journal is dedicated to ensuring the quality of each paper that it publishes. In the interest of maintaining the highest standards in academic publishing, we insist that all authors, editors, reviewers, and editorial team abide by the Core Practices and Guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Many questions regarding the ethical dimensions of conduct relating to the publication of scientific research can be answered by consulting the COPE website (core-practices). The potential conflicts of interest for all authors must be disclosed in their papers at the time of submission. It is required that authors are presenting their research findings accurately and discussing the significance of their work objectively.

The data and methods used in the research must be presented in sufficient details in the paper so that other researchers could be able to replicate the work. Authors should make the raw data available in a public repository prior to the submission of their manuscripts; at the very least, the data should be accessible to the journal’s referees and editors upon request. In addition, authors are expected to take appropriate measures so that their raw data are retained in full for a reasonable period of time after publication. 

The journal does not consider for publication manuscripts that have been submitted to more than one journal at the same time or that do not present novel results. Thus, for example, an English translation of a paper that has already been published in another language would not be considered. Furthermore, manuscripts should not be published in the journal if major original information has already been published elsewhere. Accordingly, previously published figures or images may be included, even by the authors themselves, only after necessary permission has been obtained from the original copyright holders for publication under the CC-BY license. Additional information on this topic is available on the Copyright Notice page. 

Should authors find errors or inaccuracies in the published versions of their papers, they must promptly make editors of the journal aware of the fact so that the appropriate action can be taken to rectify the situation.

1 Misconduct 

The journal expects all authors, editors and reviewers to be aware of the best practice in publication ethics. Any form of misconduct is strictly prohibited. Authors should avoid ghost, guest, gift and other authorship issues*. Authors should retain their original data and source files after submitting their articles, as the editor might request this material in the publication evaluation process, which otherwise will be suspended until any issue is resolved.
Reviewers and editors are required to treat manuscripts fairly and in confidence, and to declare any competing interests. We will vigorously investigate allegations of research or publication misconduct.

Any suspicion that authors, reviewers or editors have engaged in misconduct will result in action either before or after publication. When ethical questions are raised regarding a paper that has already been published—even years after publication—a preliminary investigation will be carried out, following COPE Guidelines, in the course of which the party or parties involved will be called upon to present their case. The editor reserves the right to question a manuscript’s originality and integrity and to raise these concerns with the authors’ sponsoring institutions and other relevant bodies.

*An examples of authorship issues
1. Ghost authorship, when someone makes a significant contribution to the research or writing of the paper but is not listed as a co-author.
2. Guest authorship, when someone is added to the list of authors without having made a substantial contribution to the research, but their inclusion is intended to increase the chances of publication due to their authority.
3. Gift authorship, when someone is included as an author as a gesture of gratitude or for other unethical reasons, despite not having made a real contribution to the work.

2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is strictly not acceptable in any submissions to journals. Authors must not directly use words, images, or ideas, of others or other sources, without attribution. All sources must be cited at the point they are used, and reuse of wordings must be limited, be attributed to, or quoted, in the text. It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure the originality of their work. Upon submission, all manuscripts are meticulously evaluated for similarity against previously submitted and published articles. Figures and images are examined for the presence of duplicative or anomalous data. The journal may use plagiarism detection software to check for the originality of a submission. Manuscripts that are detected to have plagiarism will be rejected (if unpublished) or retracted (if published), as appropriate.

Self-Plagiarism

Self-plagiarism is an ethical issue in scientific research. It occurs when an author reuses a significant portion of their previously published material without proper citation or permission from the previous publisher. This can include the republication of an entire study, article, or substantial parts of the text in another publication as new original material.

Self-plagiarism is often considered within the concepts of duplicate and redundant manuscripts.

Duplicate manuscripts are almost identical or very similar to already published works. This can involve verbatim repetition or minor changes in the text, tables, or figures without proper acknowledgment of previous publications.

Redundant manuscripts contain a significant portion of the same text, data, or results as the author's previously published works. This includes publications that split the results of a single study into multiple articles to increase the number of publications.

Self-plagiarism not only misleads readers about the novelty of the work but also violates ethical standards of scientific communication. Most scientific journals have clear policies regarding duplicate and redundant manuscripts, which include provisions on self-plagiarism to ensure transparency, integrity, and originality in publications.

Originality Requirement

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science adheres to high standards of academic integrity and originality. Manuscripts submitted for publication must exhibit an originality score of no less than 90% as determined by plagiarism detection software. Any manuscript with an originality score below this threshold may be subject to rejection.

However, in cases where the originality score is below the acceptable range, the editor or reviewer may recommend that the authors revise and resubmit the manuscript. This allows authors the opportunity to address the issues of originality and improve their submission in line with the journal’s standards.

3 Submission of Duplicate and Redundant Manuscripts

The journal considers for publication only original manuscripts that have not been published elsewhere in any form or language. When a manuscript is submitted, it is assumed that no other manuscript substantially similar to it has been or will be submitted to any other journal before this journal has the opportunity to decide whether to publish it. In other words, it is considered unethical to submit the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time.

If authors use their work, which was previously published or under review, in their new manuscripts, they should cite the work appropriately. The new manuscripts should indicate the differences from the previously published work.

Any forms of reuse of the authors’ own words in any parts of the submitted manuscript should be appropriately attributed. Reuse of the authors’ own figures, or substantial amounts of wording, may require copyright permission from the copyright holder, which the authors are responsible for obtaining.

Extension articles from published conference proceedings must be declared and have clear citation and discussion.

Publications that are duplicative or redundant (i.e., that present, in different wording, data that have already been published by the same authors) are not accepted. A single study should not be split up into several submissions with same/similar methods and questions, and submitted to various journals, or to one journal over time.

4 Fabrication and Falsification

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science strictly prohibits fabrication and falsification of data and results. Fabrication refers to the creation of data that do not exist, while falsification involves manipulating existing data to present a misleading or false result. Any form of data manipulation or misrepresentation is considered a serious breach of academic integrity.

The editorial board and reviewers are responsible for ensuring that submitted manuscripts adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and honesty. Any suspicions of fabrication or falsification will be thoroughly investigated. If evidence of such practices is found, the journal reserves the right to take appropriate actions, including retraction of the article and reporting the case to relevant academic or professional organizations.

Authors are expected to provide accurate and honest data, disclose all sources of funding, and declare any potential conflicts of interest. The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of scientific research and ensuring that all published work meets these ethical standards.

5 Citation Policy

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science upholds high standards of accuracy and integrity in citation practices. We require authors to accurately and thoroughly cite all sources used in their articles. All citations must adhere to the APA style, which is adopted by our journal.

Authors are responsible for ensuring the correctness and accuracy of all citations. Any instances of plagiarism, including the use of others' ideas without proper attribution, are considered serious violations of academic integrity and will be addressed according to our policies.

We encourage authors to ensure that all sources that have made a significant contribution to the article are cited. Our editors and reviewers verify the accuracy of citations, and in cases of violations, we reserve the right to take appropriate actions, including possible retraction of the article.

For any questions or clarifications regarding our citation policy, please refer to the About References page.

Challenges and Issues of Modern Science is the only official title of our journal. 
When citing the journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science, it is crucial to use the official title of the journal without any alterations, translations, or distortions. Any modifications to the journal's name can lead to citations not being accurately attributed in the authors' scientific profiles, which can adversely affect the journal's visibility and impact. We strictly prohibit any variations or misrepresentations of the journal's name to ensure proper citation and to maintain the integrity and recognition of our publication.

6 Self-Citation Policy

Challenges and Issues of Modern Science encourages authors to use self-citation appropriately. Self-citation is important for providing context and reflecting the connection between the author’s research, allowing readers to better understand the development of the topic and the key findings of the research.

At the same time, it is important to avoid excessive self-citation, which can create the impression of an unjustified overemphasis on the work. When a new article continues ongoing research but includes genuinely new results, self-citation is appropriate. Our policy includes checking articles for potential duplication or redundancy.

The absence of self-citation can also create the illusion that the research is entirely new and unrelated to the author’s previous work, which may unfairly diminish the significance of earlier achievements. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately cite all relevant sources to ensure the precision and transparency of the scientific process.

It should be noted that the issue of self-citation remains a subject of discussion within the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and different journals set their own limits. Research into the policies of various journals shows that limits range from 5% to 30%. We adhere to a more democratic approach and set a limit of 30% self-citation, which means that out of every 10 references, up to 3 may be to the author’s own sources.

Our editors and reviewers carefully check self-citations for compliance with these criteria and take appropriate measures to ensure academic integrity.

7 Investigations and Sanctions

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. We thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, data falsification, and misrepresentation of authorship.

Investigation Procedure:

  • Allegations may be submitted by authors, reviewers, or readers. Upon receipt, we conduct a preliminary assessment and, if warranted, initiate a formal investigation.
  • Our investigation includes collecting evidence, interviewing involved parties, and assessing compliance with academic standards.

Sanctions:

  • Depending on the findings, sanctions may include retraction of the article, issuance of corrections or errata, and reporting the case to relevant academic or professional bodies.
  • We may also notify institutions affiliated with the individuals involved.
  • Authors found to have committed serious breaches may be prohibited from submitting articles to our journal in the future.

Confidentiality:

  • All investigations are conducted confidentially to protect all parties involved.
  • Information about investigations and outcomes is not disclosed publicly until the procedure is concluded, except when necessary to uphold academic integrity.

Appeals:

  • Authors and other involved parties have the right to appeal decisions made during the investigation by submitting additional documentation or requests for review.

This policy is designed to ensure a fair and thorough process while maintaining the integrity of our publication and the trust of our readers.

8 Authorship identification

Authorship identification means obtaining assurances that each author of the manuscript has contributed to the research, or to a specific part of it. In case of any doubts on the part of the editorial board, which may arise, in particular, from discrepancies between the content of the manuscript and the expertise of one of the authors (in terms of their field of science, scientific interests, or other publications), the editorial board requires the authors to clearly state each author's contribution to the research and manuscript preparation, with a separate emphasis on the contribution of the author about whom there are doubts.

A corresponding author should be designated from the group of authors, who will act on behalf of the entire group in all interactions with the editorial board. This corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all agreements regarding the transformation of the manuscript into an article and its subsequent publication are reached, and for addressing any issues that arise after publication. If there is a justified need to remove or add co-authors, or to change the order of authors, such changes are possible only with the approval of each author.

The authorship identification process also aims to prevent the inclusion of ghost authors, guest authors, and gift authors in the group of authors.

Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, do not meet the criteria for authorship, as they do not contribute to the research in a manner that would qualify them as authors, and their authorship cannot be guaranteed. If an LLM was used in the study, this should be clearly indicated in the Materials and Methods section. The appropriateness of using the LLM will be evaluated by the editor and reviewers during the peer review process.

The use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in scientific writing

Where authors use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, these technologies should only be used to improve readability and language of the work. Applying the technology should be done with human oversight and control and authors should carefully review and edit the result, because AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased. The authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of the work.

Authors should disclose in their manuscript the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies and a statement will appear in the published work. Declaring the use of these technologies supports transparency and trust between authors, readers, reviewers, editors and contributors and facilitates compliance with the terms of use of the relevant tool or technology.

Authors should not list AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author, nor cite AI as an author. Authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans. Each (co-) author is accountable for ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved and authorship requires the ability to approve the final version of the work and agree to its submission. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that the work is original, that the stated authors qualify for authorship, and the work does not infringe third party rights.

9 Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

General Provisions:

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science aims to ensure maximum transparency and trust in the peer review and publication process. Conflicts of interest may affect the objectivity of the review and publication of research. Therefore, we require full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest from authors, reviewers, and editorial board members.

Definition of Conflict of Interest:

A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization has a personal, financial, or other interest that may influence their objectivity in preparing or evaluating scientific work. Potential conflicts of interest include:

  • Financial Interests: Receiving financial benefits from organizations or individuals that may affect the results or presentation of the research.
  • Personal or Professional Relationships: Close personal, familial, or professional relationships with authors that may affect the objectivity of the evaluation.
  • Competition: Any conflicts arising from scientific or professional competition.

Requirements for Authors:

  • Disclosure: Authors are required to disclose all potential conflicts of interest in the cover letter when submitting a manuscript. This includes any financial, personal, or professional interests that may affect the results or submission of the research.
  • Documentation: Specific information about all sources of funding, research sponsors, and other interested parties must be provided.

Requirements for Reviewers:

  • Disclosure: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to objectively assess the manuscript. If a reviewer has a conflict of interest, they must decline to review the manuscript.
  • Statements: During the review process, reviewers may be asked about their potential conflicts of interest.

Requirements for Editorial Board Members:

  • Disclosure: Editorial board members must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their decisions during editing and publication decisions.
  • Managing Conflicts: If a conflict of interest impacts the decision-making process, the individual may be excluded from handling the specific publication.

Maintaining Confidentiality:

All disclosures of conflicts of interest are treated confidentially and are used solely to ensure transparency and objectivity in the review and publication process.

Assessment and Response:

The editorial board carefully evaluates all reports of conflicts of interest and takes necessary actions to manage arising situations. Failure to disclose a conflict of interest may result in the revision or retraction of the article.

10 Public Dissemination Policy on Preprints, Postprints, and Published Versions

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science supports the proper dissemination of published research and encourages authors to share their work to enhance visibility and accessibility. Authors may upload any version of their article immediately, without an embargo period, and are encouraged to deposit these versions in institutional or other repositories of their choice. This policy outlines the guidelines for handling preprints, postprints, and public dissemination of research articles, promoting alignment with open access principles through the dissemination of officially published articles via open-access resources.

Preprints (Submitted or Unreviewed Version), also known as the Pre-Submission Manuscript or Author's Original Manuscript, refer to the initial submission by the author that has not undergone peer review. Authors may deposit this version in any repository of their choice, provided it is clearly labeled as an unreviewed preprint.

Postprints (Accepted Version), also referred to as the Author’s Accepted Manuscript or Post-Review Version, include changes made during peer review. Authors are encouraged to share the accepted version of their articles on open-access platforms and repositories. When sharing this version, authors must ensure proper citation of the journal, refrain from altering the downloaded files or content, and clearly indicate that this is not the final published version.

Published Versions, also known as the Version of Record or Final Published Version, are the officially published articles, formatted and typeset by the journal. Authors are encouraged to share the final published version of their articles on open-access platforms and repositories. When sharing, authors must ensure proper citation of the journal and refrain from altering the downloaded files or content.

Compliance and Enforcement

The journal monitors compliance with this policy and takes appropriate actions if violations are detected. In cases of non-compliance, the journal reserves the right to impose sanctions, including refusal of future submissions.

11 Ethical Guidelines for Human and Animal Research

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all published research. This includes adhering to established guidelines for the ethical treatment of human participants and animals in research. These guidelines ensure that all research conducted and presented within our journal meets ethical and legal standards.

Guidelines for Human Research

All research involving human participants must obtain informed consent from the participants prior to their involvement. Researchers are required to provide participants with comprehensive information about the study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, and obtain their voluntary consent. Researchers must ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of research participants are protected. Personal data should be anonymized or de-identified to prevent the disclosure of participants' identities. Research involving human participants must be reviewed and approved by an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB) before data collection begins. Evidence of such approval must be provided in the manuscript submission. Special consideration must be given to vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, prisoners, and individuals with diminished capacity. Research involving these groups requires additional safeguards to protect their rights and welfare.

Guidelines for Animal Research

Research involving animals must comply with ethical standards for the humane treatment and care of animals. Researchers must ensure that their studies adhere to the principles of the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Research involving animals must be reviewed and approved by an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) or equivalent body. Researchers must provide documentation of this approval as part of their manuscript submission. Researchers should minimize pain and distress to animals and use appropriate anesthetics and analgesics. The use of animals should be justified by the potential scientific benefits of the research. Research protocols must include humane endpoints to ensure that animals do not endure unnecessary suffering. Researchers must monitor animals closely and provide appropriate care and euthanasia when necessary.

General Considerations

All research must comply with relevant national and international laws and regulations governing the use of human participants and animals. Researchers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and ensure transparent reporting of methods and findings. This includes reporting any deviations from approved protocols and the reasons for such deviations. Authors must ensure that their research is conducted with the highest degree of ethical integrity and that any ethical concerns are addressed promptly and transparently.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, Challenges and Issues of Modern Science ensures that all published research respects the rights and welfare of human participants and animals, maintains the highest standards of integrity, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in a responsible and ethical manner.

12 Disclaimer

The journal Challenges and Issues of Modern Science strives to maintain a high level of quality and accuracy for all published materials through a rigorous review process. The peer review that manuscripts undergo helps ensure that publications meet scientific standards and ethical norms. However, the views, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in the articles reflect the authors' positions and may not necessarily align with those of the editorial board or publisher.

The content of the articles should not be used as professional or legal advice. Readers should conduct their own assessment and verification of the information before applying it. It is especially important for non-professionals to consider that scientific articles may contain data that are not definitive or may require specialized knowledge for proper interpretation.

Research that includes information about human participants, animals, plants, and the environment may have significant ethical and practical implications. Misapplication of the results may lead to harm to human health, animal welfare, the state of the environment, or other negative consequences. Therefore, readers should approach the information with caution and seek advice from relevant experts for professional consultations.

While the journal adheres to high ethical standards and ensures ethical conduct of research according to its policies, the responsibility for maintaining ethical standards and data accuracy remains with the authors. Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy and content of the data presented in their articles and for adherence to ethical norms in their research.

The publisher and editorial board are not responsible for any consequences that may arise from the use of the information provided in the articles. Readers should independently verify and evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the presented data before using it.

Authors bear full responsibility and guarantee that the submission does not contain information with restricted access, including but not limited to state secrets, trade secrets, confidential information, personal data without the necessary consent for publication, and any other information that, according to current legislation, is not subject to disclosure. The publisher and editorial board assumes no responsibility for any violations related to the disclosure of such information.