Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Ricos Biology Journal

Ricos Biology Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. All parties involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to adhere to ethical principles and best practices to ensure the credibility and reliability of the published scientific record.

The journal follows international standards of publication ethics and best practices.

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities and procedures adopted by Ricos Biology Journal to prevent publication malpractice and to address ethical concerns should they arise.

1. Plagiarism

Ricos Biology Journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. Plagiarism in all forms—including direct copying, improper paraphrasing, and self-plagiarism—is considered unethical and unacceptable.

All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection tools before peer review. If plagiarism is detected at any stage (pre-review or post-publication), the manuscript will be rejected, or the published article will be retracted, depending on the severity of the case.

Authors must ensure that their work is original and that all sources are properly cited.

2. Duplicate Submission and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit the same manuscript, or substantially similar content, to more than one journal simultaneously. Duplicate submission, redundant publication, or salami slicing of research findings is considered unethical.

By submitting a manuscript to Ricos Biology Journal, authors confirm that:

  • The work has not been published previously

  • The manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere

Violations will result in immediate rejection or retraction and notification of the authors’ institutions when appropriate.

3. Data Fabrication and Falsification

Data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation—including selective reporting of results—is a serious form of scientific misconduct.

Authors are required to:

  • Present accurate and honest data

  • Retain original data for possible editorial review

  • Provide raw data or supporting information upon reasonable request

If fabricated or falsified data are identified, the manuscript will be rejected or the published article will be retracted, and further actions may be taken in accordance with ethical guidelines.

4. Authorship and Authorship Disputes

Authorship should accurately reflect individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.

All listed authors must:

  • Approve the final version of the manuscript

  • Agree to its submission and publication

Any disputes regarding authorship (including additions, removals, or order changes) must be resolved by the authors before submission. The journal does not adjudicate authorship disputes but may suspend review or publication until the matter is resolved. Post-publication disputes may result in a published correction or editorial notice.

5. Conflicts of Interest

All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence or be perceived to influence the research or its interpretation.

Authors are required to include a Conflict of Interest statement in their manuscripts. If no conflicts exist, this must be explicitly stated.

Failure to disclose relevant conflicts of interest may result in rejection, retraction, or other corrective actions.

6. Retractions, Corrections, and Expressions of Concern

Ricos Biology Journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.

  • Corrections will be issued for honest errors that do not invalidate the results.

  • Retractions will be issued in cases of major ethical violations, unreliable findings, plagiarism, or data manipulation.

  • Expressions of Concern may be published when an investigation is ongoing but unresolved.

All retraction and correction notices will be clearly linked to the original article and freely accessible.

7. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions at Ricos Biology Journal are based solely on scientific merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial board operate with full editorial independence and are not influenced by the publisher, commercial interests, or external organizations. Advertising, sponsorship, or financial considerations do not affect editorial decision-making.

8. Peer Review Ethics

All submissions undergo a double-blind peer-review process, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed.

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Conduct reviews objectively and confidentially

  • Declare any conflicts of interest

  • Provide constructive and timely feedback

Any breach of reviewer ethics may result in removal from the reviewer pool.

9. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In accordance with the journal’s policies, AI-generated or artificially manipulated manuscripts are not accepted. Authors must confirm the originality of their work and are responsible for the integrity of all submitted content.

10. Alignment with International Ethical Guidelines

Ricos Biology Journal aligns its ethical practices with internationally recognized standards and guidelines, including those promoted by:

11. Reporting Ethical Concerns

Suspected ethical misconduct related to submissions or published articles should be reported to the Editor-in-Chief at:

editor.in-chief@ricosbiology.net

All allegations will be handled confidentially and investigated in accordance with established ethical procedures.