Publication Ethics

All submitted research articles are assessed by our Review and Editorial boards using a two-fold evaluation process to prevent plagiarism. Ambedkar Path maintains high-quality standards for accepting research articles, ensuring that authors check their manuscripts for potential falsification before submission. Authors are expected to submit only original content for publication.

Researchers must conduct their work from the proposal stage to publication in line with best practices, adhering to the codes of conduct established by relevant professional bodies and regulatory authorities at national and international levels. Although rare, ethical issues or misconduct may arise during the review and publication process.

Our ethics statement is based on guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and more information can be found on their website at www.publicationethics.org.

Publication Ethics as Editors’ Responsibilities

This journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scientific record. As a member of COPE, Ambedkar Path follows COPE’s guidelines to address potential acts of misconduct. Editors should take responsive action when ethical complaints are raised about a submitted manuscript or published paper, in collaboration with the publisher or society. Such actions may include contacting the author to discuss the issue, and in some cases, may involve communication with relevant institutions or research bodies. If the complaint is upheld, the editor may publish a correction, retraction, expression of concern, or another relevant note, even if it is discovered years after publication.

The editor of a peer-reviewed journal is responsible for deciding which articles to publish. This decision is based on the quality of the work and its significance to the academic community. Editors must evaluate manuscripts based on their intellectual content, independent of the author’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnicity, citizenship, or political views.

Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any details about a manuscript except to the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher. Unpublished material must not be used by the editor for their own research without the author’s written consent.

Editors should avoid reviewing manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest, such as competitive or collaborative relationships with the authors, institutions, or companies involved. They should also require authors to disclose any competing interests. If such conflicts arise after publication, editors must take appropriate actions, including publishing a correction or retraction if necessary.

Publication Ethics for Article Reviewers

Reviewers play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of submitted articles by evaluating them carefully and objectively. Reviewers should inform the editor about any suspected plagiarism or instances where content similar to the manuscript has been previously published or submitted. They must also declare any conflicts of interest related to the article or author, and maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. Reviewers should provide a thorough and unbiased evaluation, focusing on the scientific content, originality, and clarity of the article.

Reviewers must avoid using unpublished material for their own research and must keep the peer review process confidential. They should also report any ethical concerns, such as violations of animal or human subject ethics, or substantial similarities with previously published work.

Publication Ethics for Journal Authors

Authors must ensure that their work is original and properly cited, avoiding plagiarism by acknowledging the contributions of others. They must ensure that their research does not contain libelous content or infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights.

The list of authors should accurately reflect the contributors to the research, and all co-authors should agree to the submission. Changes to the author list are generally not allowed after submission, but in rare cases, changes can be made if warranted.

Authors must confirm that their manuscript is not under consideration or accepted by any other journal and should disclose any overlapping content. Permission must be obtained for the use of third-party materials.

Authors must disclose any sources of funding and any conflicts of interest related to the manuscript. If errors are identified after publication, authors should work with the editor to correct or retract the article. Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions.

Reviewer Guidelines

At Ambedkar Path, we maintain a rigorous peer review process to ensure the accuracy and quality of our content. As a reviewer, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the paper you are reviewing. Focus your evaluation on the merits and shortcomings of the manuscript, and never disclose the results, figures, or supplementary materials to non-reviewers.

The identity of the reviewers should remain confidential, both during and after the review process. If you wish to seek additional feedback from others, inform the editor beforehand. Most journals do not disclose the reviewer’s identity to authors.

When reviewing, consider the following criteria:

Is the article novel and interesting? Does it contribute new knowledge to the field?
Does the article meet the journal’s standards for quality and relevance?
Are the sections of the article (abstract, introduction, methodology, results, conclusions) clearly defined and logical?
Are the methods adequately described, and can the research be replicated?
Are the results clearly presented and statistically accurate?
Do the conclusions align with the data, and do they contribute to advancing scientific understanding?

Reviewers should not evaluate manuscripts with which they have a conflict of interest and should avoid reviewing manuscripts that involve their own work or those from their institution or collaborators. If you suspect issues such as duplicate publication, plagiarism, or ethical violations, inform the editor immediately.

Ethical Considerations in Reviewing

Reviewers must provide honest and constructive feedback. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate. Reviewers should identify any relevant literature that was not cited by the authors and highlight any overlap with previously published work.

If you are unsure about the ethics of a manuscript, such as violations in research involving humans or animals, or if you suspect plagiarism, please raise the issue with the editor.

By following these guidelines, reviewers ensure that Ambedkar Path maintains a high standard of academic integrity and rigor in its publications.