Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Malaysian Journal of Chemical Engineering and Technology (MJCET) is committed to maintaining high standards of publication ethics, research integrity and editorial independence. The journal expects authors, editors, editorial board members, reviewers and the publisher to act honestly, fairly and responsibly throughout submission, peer review and publication.

MJCET addresses ethical concerns transparently and consistently, with due consideration for the evidence, the rights of the parties involved and the integrity of the scholarly record. This statement should be read together with the journal's related publication policies.

1. Ethical Standards

MJCET follows recognised principles of responsible scholarly publishing and may refer to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, relevant COPE guidance and other recognised standards when addressing matters not fully covered by its own policies.

The journal adheres to the principles and practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices. Where the journal’s internal policies do not provide specific guidance, COPE recommendations, guidelines and flowcharts may be referred to in addressing publication ethics matters and editorial decision-making.

The journal adheres to relevant international ethical guidelines where applicable, including:

    Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices
    https://publicationethics.org/core-practices

    COPE Guidelines and Flowcharts
    https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts

    Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT)
    https://credit.niso.org/

2. Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial team are responsible for managing submissions in accordance with MJCET's published policies and procedures.

Editors shall:

• Assess manuscripts based on scholarly merit, originality, methodological quality, relevance to the journal's scope and compliance with publication requirements.
• Make editorial decisions fairly, consistently and independently.
• Apply the journal's stated peer review procedures.
• Select reviewers with appropriate expertise and consider potential conflicts of interest.
• Protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports and editorial correspondence.
• Disclose and appropriately manage actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Refrain from participating in decisions where impartiality may reasonably be questioned.
• Investigate credible concerns about research integrity or publication misconduct.
• Maintain appropriate records of editorial decisions and relevant investigations.
• Take appropriate action to correct the scholarly record when necessary.

Editors shall not use unpublished information obtained through manuscript handling or peer review for personal, academic or commercial advantage.

When the Editor-in-Chief or an editorial board member submits a manuscript to MJCET, the individual concerned shall not participate in its editorial assessment or decision. An independent editor shall oversee the process to protect editorial independence.

3. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for the originality, accuracy, validity and integrity of their manuscripts. By submitting a manuscript to MJCET, authors are expected to confirm that they have complied with the journal's requirements and applicable ethical standards.

Authors shall:

• Submit original work that is not under consideration by another journal and has not been published previously, except where prior dissemination is permitted by the journal's policies and fully disclosed.
• Disclose substantial overlap with previous publications, conference papers, preprints or other related work.
• Report research methods, data, results and conclusions accurately and transparently.
• Cite and acknowledge the work and contributions of others appropriately.
• Avoid plagiarism, fabrication, falsification and inappropriate manipulation of data, images, figures or research materials.
• Ensure that authorship accurately reflects contributions to the research and manuscript.
• Obtain the agreement of all authors on the submitted manuscript and any subsequent changes to authorship.
• Disclose relevant funding, financial interests and other conflicts of interest.
• Obtain research ethics approval, informed consent and other required permissions where applicable.
• Provide accurate declarations and supporting information requested by the journal.
• Comply with MJCET's Generative AI Policy and disclose the use of AI tools where required.
• Cooperate with reasonable editorial requests for clarification, supporting data or documentation.
• Notify the journal promptly if a significant error is identified in a submitted or published article.

Detailed submission requirements are provided in the Instructions for Authors and the journal's related policies.

4. Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author serves as the primary contact between the authors and MJCET.

The corresponding author shall:

• Confirm that all listed authors have approved the manuscript before submission.
• Ensure that author names, affiliations, contact details and submission declarations are accurate.
• Confirm that the manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
• Coordinate communication between the editorial office and co-authors.
• Ensure that required ethical declarations, funding statements, conflict-of-interest disclosures and supporting documents are complete.
• Communicate editorial decisions and revision requirements to co-authors.
• Ensure that all authors are informed of proposed changes to authorship and agree to any changes before the journal considers them.

The corresponding author does not replace the individual responsibilities of the other authors.

5. Peer Review Responsibilities

MJCET uses double-blind peer review, under which authors and reviewers are not identified to each other during the review process, subject to the practical limitations of maintaining anonymity.

Reviewers shall:

• Accept review assignments only when they have appropriate expertise and can complete the review within the agreed timeframe.
• Disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest before accepting or continuing a review.
• Maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and review materials.
• Evaluate submissions objectively, fairly and constructively.
• Assess the originality, methodological rigour, interpretation, relevance and contribution of the work.
• Identify significant concerns relating to research ethics, data integrity, plagiarism or other potential misconduct.
• Inform the editor promptly if they suspect duplicate publication, manipulated data, inappropriate image alteration or other ethical concerns.
• Avoid personal criticism and provide reasoned comments that support editorial assessment.

Reviewers shall not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage. They must not share confidential manuscript content with unauthorised parties or upload it to external generative AI systems where doing so could compromise confidentiality, intellectual property or the integrity of the review process.

Citation recommendations must have a genuine scholarly justification. Reviewers must not request citations primarily to inflate their own citation counts or those of particular authors, journals or institutions.

Further requirements are set out in the Peer Review Policy.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, editors, editorial board members and reviewers must disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest that could affect, or reasonably appear to affect, their judgement.

Conflicts may arise from:

• Financial interests, employment, consultancy or research funding.
• Personal, family or professional relationships.
• Academic competition, collaboration or disputes.
• Institutional affiliations or other professional commitments.
• Intellectual, commercial or other interests that could compromise impartiality.

The journal will assess disclosed conflicts and take appropriate steps to manage them. An individual with a conflict that could compromise an editorial or review decision shall not participate in the relevant process.

Authors must provide the required conflict-of-interest and funding declarations even when no relevant conflict or external funding exists, where the journal's submission requirements request such a statement.

Further requirements are set out in the Conflict of Interest Policy.

7. Research Ethics and Integrity

Authors must ensure that their research complies with applicable institutional, legal and ethical requirements.

Where research involves human participants, animals, personal data, hazardous materials or other activities requiring ethical oversight, authors must obtain the relevant approval, consent or exemption where required. The manuscript should include the relevant ethical information and approval details as applicable.

Authors must report research methods and findings accurately and must not fabricate, falsify, selectively misrepresent or improperly manipulate research evidence. Where appropriate, the journal may request supporting data, original images, research records or other documentation to assess a concern.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that any data, figures, images and supplementary materials accurately represent the research. Image processing or data modification must not mislead readers or distort the findings.

MJCET may seek clarification, consult independent experts or refer credible concerns to the relevant institution or authority where appropriate.

8. Generative Artificial Intelligence

MJCET recognises that generative artificial intelligence tools may assist with certain research and manuscript preparation tasks. Their use does not transfer responsibility for the accuracy, originality, legality or integrity of the scholarly work from the authors to the tool.

Authors must follow the journal's Generative AI Policy. In particular:

• AI tools must not be listed as authors.
• Authors remain responsible for verifying all content produced or assisted by AI tools.
• AI tools must not be used to fabricate or falsify data, results, citations or research records.
• Authors must not use AI tools to conceal plagiarism, misrepresent evidence or otherwise breach publication ethics.
• Authors must disclose AI use where required by the journal's policy.

Editors and reviewers must protect confidential manuscript material and must not use AI tools in ways that compromise manuscript confidentiality, intellectual property or editorial independence.

9. Publication Malpractice

MJCET does not tolerate research or publication misconduct. Potential forms of malpractice include, but are not limited to, the following.

9.1 Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes presenting another person's words, ideas, data, images or other intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement. It may also involve substantial unattributed reuse of previously published material.

MJCET may use similarity detection tools to support manuscript assessment. Similarity scores are screening indicators rather than conclusive proof of plagiarism. Editors will consider the nature, extent, location and context of the overlap before determining whether further action is warranted.

Authors must comply with the journal's Plagiarism and Research Integrity Policy.

9.2 Fabrication and Falsification

Fabrication involves inventing data, results or research information. Falsification involves manipulating research materials, processes, data, images or results in a way that misrepresents the research.

Where credible concerns arise, the journal may request supporting evidence, consult independent experts or refer the matter to the relevant institution or authority.

9.3 Duplicate or Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal. They must disclose prior publications or submissions that substantially overlap with the submitted work.

Where prior dissemination is permitted, including certain preprints, theses or conference outputs, authors must comply with MJCET's submission requirements and disclose the relevant material. Undisclosed duplicate or redundant publication may result in rejection or further editorial action.

9.4 Authorship Misconduct

Authorship must accurately reflect substantial contributions to the research and manuscript, together with the responsibilities associated with authorship.

MJCET does not support guest, honorary, gift or ghost authorship, or the omission of individuals who made qualifying contributions. All authors must approve the submitted version and agree to any proposed authorship changes.

The journal may request explanations or supporting information when authorship is disputed or appears inaccurate.

9.5 Citation Manipulation

Citations must be relevant to the research and serve a genuine scholarly purpose. MJCET does not support coercive citation, excessive irrelevant self-citation, citation cartels or other practices intended primarily to inflate citation counts.

9.6 Peer Review Manipulation

MJCET does not permit the manipulation of peer review, including fabricated reviewer identities, impersonation, fraudulent review reports, false declarations or attempts to improperly influence editorial decisions.

Where peer review manipulation is suspected, the journal may suspend the editorial process while it assesses the available evidence.

9.7 Misuse of Confidential Information

Authors, reviewers and editors must not use confidential or unpublished information obtained through submission, editorial assessment or peer review for personal, academic or commercial advantage.

Unauthorised disclosure or use of such information may constitute a breach of this statement and may result in appropriate action.

10. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

MJCET considers credible allegations of research or publication misconduct objectively and in accordance with the nature and seriousness of the concern.

Depending on the circumstances, the journal may:

1. Conduct a preliminary assessment of the allegation and available evidence.
2. Request an explanation, supporting data or relevant documentation from the parties concerned.
3. Consult independent reviewers, subject experts or other appropriate advisers.
4. Refer the matter to the relevant institution, funder or competent authority where justified.
5. Suspend peer review, editorial processing or publication while the concern is investigated.
6. Record the findings and determine appropriate editorial action.

The journal will handle investigations as confidentially as reasonably possible while allowing a fair assessment of the evidence. Parties concerned will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond where appropriate. A lack of response will not necessarily prevent a decision where sufficient evidence is available.

MJCET will distinguish allegations from established findings and will not treat an allegation alone as proof of misconduct.

11. Editorial Actions and Sanctions

Where a breach of publication ethics or journal policy is established, MJCET may take proportionate action according to the seriousness of the breach, the evidence and the stage of publication.

Possible actions include:

• Requesting clarification, additional documentation or corrective action.
• Requiring revision of the manuscript or relevant declarations.
• Rejecting the manuscript.
• Suspending editorial processing while an investigation is conducted.
• Restricting future submissions or review invitations where justified.
• Referring the matter to the relevant institution, funder or authority where appropriate.
• Publishing a correction, Expression of Concern or retraction where necessary to protect the scholarly record.

The journal will consider each case individually and provide an appropriate opportunity for response. Any action involving a published article will follow the Retraction, Correction and Withdrawal Policy.

12. Post-Publication Concerns

MJCET recognises that concerns about the integrity or accuracy of an article may arise after publication. Authors, readers, institutions and other parties may notify the journal of credible concerns through its official contact channel.

The journal will assess such concerns and may seek supporting information, independent advice or institutional input where appropriate. Depending on the findings, MJCET may publish a correction, Expression of Concern, retraction or other appropriate notice.

Editorial notices will be linked to the affected article and retained as part of the scholarly record. The journal will update article metadata or notify relevant indexing services where necessary and feasible.

Authors must notify the journal promptly if they discover a significant error in their published work.

Further procedures are set out in the Retraction, Correction and Withdrawal Policy.

13. Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal an editorial decision or raise a complaint concerning the handling of an ethical matter by submitting a reasoned written explanation and relevant supporting evidence to the editorial office.

MJCET will consider appeals and complaints fairly and may seek independent advice where appropriate. A person with a conflict of interest in the matter should not oversee its assessment. The journal will communicate the outcome through the appropriate editorial channel.

Appeals and complaints will not automatically suspend an editorial decision or investigation. The journal will determine whether further review is warranted based on the grounds presented and the available evidence.

14. Publisher Responsibilities and Editorial Independence

The publisher supports MJCET's editorial and publication processes and may assist in addressing concerns about publication ethics or the integrity of the scholarly record.

The publisher shall not improperly influence editorial decisions. Decisions concerning manuscript acceptance, rejection, correction or retraction must be based on appropriate scholarly, ethical and editorial considerations.

MJCET retains responsibility for implementing its published editorial and publication ethics policies.

Where a related policy sets out a specific procedure, that policy provides the detailed requirements for the matter concerned.

MJCET will review this statement periodically and update it when necessary to maintain consistency with recognised publication ethics principles and the journal's editorial practices.