As a publisher, Pine Press is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publication ethics. We diligently follow the norms and guidelines established by various scholarly societies to achieve international excellence in our publications. By continually updating our publication system, we strive to ensure quality. We encourage all stakeholders associated with our journal to adhere to the norms outlined on our website.
Authorship
All published materials, including articles, book reviews, poems, and art pieces, must include proper attribution of authorship. As we operate in an online medium, it becomes the sole responsibility of the corresponding author—who initiates the submission process online—to uphold the integrity of publication ethics by adhering to the following guidelines:
Appropriate attribution and acknowledgement
The corresponding author should ensure
- That the submitted manuscript is genuine research work produced by the author/s,
- That all the other authors are made aware of the submission,
- That permission is taken from other authors for publication,
- That the contribution of the authors is appropriately acknowledged,
- That the contribution of other persons or parties, who/which add value to the work in any way is sufficiently acknowledged,
- That the Conflicts of Interests document is signed properly and sent to us in time.
Changes in authorship
Authors can submit requests for changes to authorship to the Chief Editor. The Editorial Board of the journal retains the authority to make the final decision on such requests. Changes will be implemented only if there is a valid reason and unanimous agreement among the authors. In the event of any post-publication modifications, public notification may be issued.
Ghost,’ ‘guest,’ or ‘gift’ authorship
We condemn the unethical practice of ‘Ghost,’ ‘guest,’ or ‘gift’ authorship (or anything that does not have any proper contribution to an article) and take appropriate steps against such practices.
Publication Process
Pine Press expects all individuals involved in the publication of journals and magazines—editors, reviewers, and website managers—to adhere rigorously to international norms. Our ongoing efforts aim to elevate the standards of our publications. We anticipate authors to demonstrate a similar level of commitment by adhering to ethical norms outlined in our guidelines.
Submission
While submitting with our journals and magazines authors should strictly follow our guidelines. We reserve the right to take action against any of the practices mentioned blow:
- Simultaneous Submission to Other Publication Agency:
We accept manuscripts with the understanding that they have not been submitted elsewhere or will not be submitted to other journals during the review process. Authors who engage in simultaneous submissions during the peer review period may face appropriate consequences.
- Plagiarism
Plagiarism, a pervasive issue in scholarly circles, undermines the integrity of academic work. Authors submitting to our journal are required to demonstrate a thorough grasp of plagiarism concerns. Here are the key guidelines:
Originality: Authors must create entirely unique content. If they draw upon existing work or use others’ words, proper citation and acknowledgment are essential.
Permission and Acknowledgment: Authors should seek permission when using material from other sources. Additionally, they must acknowledge the contributions of others appropriately.
Copyright Responsibility: The journal does not initiate any process related to copyright violations. Authors bear the responsibility for ensuring compliance with copyright laws.
- Defamation or Promotion
We do not expect authors to include anything that may turn out to be defamatory or promotional.
- Gender, Racial and Language Bias
Steps against Misconduct
We may take any one or all of the following steps against unethical practices:
- The published content is retracted via notification.
- A modified content is published with justification for modification.
- The author is blacklisted and barred from future submission.
- Notification along with evidences of misconduct is communicated to an author’s institution, superior, and/or any concerned authority.
Conflict of Interest
Ensuring transparency in scholarly publications is crucial, and we actively promote this principle. Authors, editors, reviewers, and all parties engaged in the publication process are urged to steer clear of conflicts of interest.
- Authors
Authors with our journals and magazines need to be careful of any kind of conflict of interest—be it financial, promotional or honorary. The corresponding author is responsible for sending us the Conflict of Interest document agreed to and signed by other authors.
- Editors and reviewers
Ensuring transparency in scholarly publications is crucial, and we actively promote this principle. Editors and reviewers of our journals and magazines play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of our publication ethics and elevating the journal’s standards. Here are the key points:
Conflict of Interest (COI) Avoidance: We strongly encourage editors and reviewers to steer clear of any potential conflicts of interest while fulfilling their roles. This ensures unbiased decision-making and upholds the journal’s credibility.
Guidelines and Communication: Editors and reviewers receive clear guidelines via email communication. These guidelines outline expectations and emphasize the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest.
Internal COIs: Any internal conflicts of interest are handled confidentially by the Chief Editor. Privacy is maintained, and appropriate measures are taken to address such situations.
Editorial Independence: The publisher ensures that editorial board members enjoy full autonomy in their scholarly duties. There is no interference from the publisher regarding editorial decisions.
Peer Review System
In our Double-Blind Peer Review process, we prioritize maintaining anonymity to ensure impartial evaluations. Here’s how it works:
Submission: When an author submits a manuscript, the journal’s editor receives it.
Reviewer Selection: The editor selects expert reviewers (usually two or three) who are knowledgeable about the subject matter. Importantly, both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities remain concealed.
Initial Assessment: Initially, submitted articles are evaluated to confirm alignment with the journal’s standards and scope. If an article falls short of these criteria, it is promptly rejected, and the decision is communicated to the author.
Detailed Review: If the editors find the submission promising, they assign it to reviewers for a more in-depth assessment. These reviewers evaluate the content without knowing the authors’ identities.
Resolution of Disagreements: In cases where reviewers disagree, the Chief Editor steps in to resolve any conflicts.