Editorial Policies

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The NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology follows the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, while retaining the autonomy to make independent editorial decisions in alignment with its established policies and principles.

Author Responsibilities and Ethics

  1. Authorship Principles

Definition of Authorship

These guidelines outline the principles of authorship and encourage ethical practices that prospective authors are expected to follow when submitting their work to the NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology (NJET).

Authorship Clarification

All listed authors must have agreed to the manuscript’s content, provided explicit consent for submission, and obtained any necessary institutional or organizational approvals prior to submission.

While NJET does not prescribe specific types of contributions that merit authorship, it encourages adherence to the commonly accepted standards in each discipline. In the absence of specific disciplinary guidelines, authors are advised to follow the criteria outlined below:

All individuals listed as authors must:

  • Have made significant contributions to the conception or design of the study; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; or the development of software used in the research;

  • Have participated in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content;

  • Have approved the final version of the manuscript for publication; and

  • Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that any issues related to accuracy or integrity are properly investigated and resolved.

NJET encourages collaboration with local researchers at the institutions or locations where the research is conducted and supports their inclusion as co-authors, provided they meet the above authorship criteria. Individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet all authorship criteria should be appropriately acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section.

  1. Disclosures and Declarations

All authors must provide complete disclosure regarding:

  • Sources of funding (financial or non-financial),

  • Any potential conflicts of interest,

  • Approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving human or animal subjects,

  • Informed consent from human participants (where applicable),

  • A statement on animal welfare if animals were involved in the research.

These disclosures ensure transparency and are essential regardless of the journal’s scope, especially when the work has potential implications for public health or societal welfare. It is the collective responsibility of the authors to ensure all relevant ethical information is accurately disclosed at the time of submission.

  1. Data Transparency

Authors must ensure that all data, materials, software applications, and custom code used in the study are available and reproducible to support the findings presented. Compliance with data-sharing norms in the respective discipline is expected. Please refer to the Instructions for Authors for specific data-sharing policies of NJET.

  1. Corresponding Author Responsibilities

One author must be designated as the Corresponding Author, who will:

  • Ensure that all authors have approved the manuscript and author order prior to submission,

  • Manage all correspondence between the journal and co-authors before and after publication,

  • Disclose any re-used or unpublished material (e.g., manuscripts in press) in the cover letter,

  • Guarantee inclusion of all disclosures, declarations, and data transparency statements in the manuscript.

Note: Communication duties during submission or proofreading can be delegated to a submitting/contact author, but the Corresponding Author must still be clearly identified in the manuscript.

  1. Author Contributions

NJET encourages transparency in author roles. A detailed Author Contributions Statement should be included in the manuscript, specifying each author’s role. These may include contributions to conceptualization, methodology, analysis, drafting, revision, supervision, or funding acquisition.

The journal also permits the inclusion of:

  • Authors who contributed equally to be marked as such, and

  • Co-authors who jointly supervised the work.

Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section.

  1. Affiliation Policy

The primary affiliation listed for each author should be the institution where the majority of the research was conducted. If an author has since moved, a current address may also be provided. Please note: affiliations cannot be changed after publication.

  1. Changes to Authorship

Authors must confirm the final author list, order, and designation of the Corresponding Author at the time of submission.

  • Changes to authorship (adding, removing, or reordering authors) after submission must be approved by all listed authors, with a valid explanation.

  • Changes are not allowed after acceptance unless under exceptional circumstances and with approval of the Editor-in-Chief.

  • Revisions involving new authorship requests are at the discretion of the journal’s editorial board.

  1. Author Name Changes

NJET supports inclusive name change policies. Authors who have changed their names (e.g., due to gender transition, marriage, or personal reasons) may request an update to their name and biographical information on previously published works. This can be done:

  • Silently, with no public note or flag in the article, or

  • Through a formal Author Correction, as preferred by the author.

Authors should contact the editorial office to initiate this request.

  1. Author Identification

Authors are strongly encouraged to register and include their ORCID iD during submission. ORCID helps uniquely identify authors and enhances discoverability and attribution.

  1. Deceased or Incapacitated Authors

If a co-author passes away or becomes incapacitated during the writing, submission, or peer-review process, they may still be included as an author. The corresponding author must obtain consent from a legal representative or next of kin.

  1. Confidentiality

All communications between the journal and authors must be treated as confidential. This includes correspondence with editors, reviewers’ reports, and editorial decisions. Authors must not disclose or distribute these communications without prior written consent.

  1. Authorship Disputes

NJET does not mediate authorship disputes during or after publication. In case of a dispute, the authors are expected to resolve the matter independently. If unresolved, the journal reserves the right to:

 

  • Withdraw the manuscript from the review process, or

  • Refer the matter to the relevant institution(s) for investigation and follow their recommendations.

Appeals and Complaints Policy

At the NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology (NJET), we are committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and integrity in our editorial and publishing processes. This policy outlines the procedure for handling appeals against editorial decisions, complaints related to processing delays, and concerns regarding publication ethics.

  1. General Procedure

All appeals or complaints should initially be directed to the Editor-in-Chief or the Handling Editor responsible for the manuscript. If the concern involves the Editor-in-Chief or the Handling Editor, the matter may be escalated to the journal’s publishing contact listed on the journal homepage. If no contact is listed, you may direct your concern to:
Email: ethics.reporting@njet.org

  1. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors who wish to appeal a rejection decision should submit a detailed explanation of their concerns. The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor will:

  • Review the authors’ arguments and the original peer review reports

  • Decide whether the original decision should stand,

  • Seek an independent opinion, or

  • Consider the appeal for further review

The final decision, along with a rationale (where appropriate), will be communicated to the appellant. Please note: Appeals are assessed based on editorial merit and do not guarantee reversal of the decision. New submissions will take priority over appeals.

  1. Complaints About Editorial or Review Processes

Concerns such as unreasonable delays in manuscript processing or communication issues will be investigated by the Editor-in-Chief, Handling Editor, and/or in-house publishing contact, as applicable. Upon review:

  • The complainant will receive a timely and appropriate response

  • Internal feedback will be shared with relevant teams to improve editorial workflows

  1. Complaints Regarding Publication Ethics

Allegations involving ethical misconduct by authors, reviewers, or editors will be handled in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor may consult the publisher for advice on complex or sensitive matters.

Based on the investigation:

  • A suitable course of action will be determined

  • The complainant will receive feedback regarding the outcome

If the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may escalate the matter directly to COPE. For more details, visit: COPE Guidelines – www.publicationethics.org

Citations Policy

Accurate and ethical citation practices are essential to uphold the integrity and quality of scholarly publishing. All types of submissions, including research articles, reviews, commentaries, and opinion pieces, must include appropriate citations to relevant and reliable literature that supports the claims and arguments made.

  1. Unacceptable Practices

The following practices constitute citation misconduct and are strictly prohibited:

  • Excessive self-citation by an individual author or group

  • Coordinated citation rings or mutual citation agreements between authors or institutions

  • Gratuitous citation of articles from the journal to which the manuscript is being submitted, without scholarly justification

  • Any form of citation manipulation intended to artificially inflate metrics or visibility

Violations may lead to immediate rejection of the manuscript and, in serious cases, notification to the authors’ affiliated institutions. Similarly, if peer reviewers or editors are found encouraging inappropriate citation practices, authors are encouraged to report such behavior to the publisher.

  1. Citation Guidelines for Authors

When preparing a manuscript, authors must adhere to the following best practices:

  • Cite all external sources of information, including data, concepts, methods, or prior research that is not the authors’ original contribution or common knowledge.

  • Reference original work directly, rather than citing review articles that summarize or reference the original study.

  • Ensure citation accuracy, meaning the cited work should directly support the statements being made in the manuscript. Misrepresentation of cited content is unethical.

  • Do not cite materials not personally reviewed or read by the authors.

  • Avoid preferential citation of one’s own work, that of collaborators, colleagues, or publications from the same institution, unless clearly justified.

  • Do not limit citations to works from a single geographic region or country without valid reason.

  • Refrain from excessive citations to support a single point. Use only the most relevant and high-quality references.

  • Prefer peer-reviewed sources wherever possible, to maintain scholarly rigor.

Do not cite advertisements, promotional content, or non-academic materials such as advertorials.

Competing Interests Policy

Transparency regarding competing interests is essential to maintain trust in the scientific process and integrity in scholarly publishing. Authors, editors, and editorial staff are expected to disclose any interests that may be perceived to influence the research, analysis, or editorial decision-making process.

  1. For Authors

Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial interests that are directly or indirectly related to the submitted work. Disclosures should cover the past three years prior to the start of the research. Interests outside this timeframe must also be disclosed if they could reasonably be perceived as influencing the work.

Disclosures do not imply wrongdoing but support transparency and allow readers to make informed judgments about potential bias.

Types of Interests to Disclose (including but not limited to):

  • Funding: Include all research grants, institutional support, and other resources received (e.g., salaries, materials, travel reimbursement). Provide funder name and grant number.

  • Employment: Past, current, or anticipated employment with organizations that may benefit or be affected by the publication.

  • Financial Interests: Stock ownership, consultancy fees, honoraria, or intellectual property (patents/patent applications) that may be influenced by the work.

  • Non-Financial Interests: Professional affiliations (e.g., editorial or advisory boards), personal beliefs, or relationships that could introduce bias.

  1. Disclosure Requirements by Article Type

All research and review articles must include a clear conflict of interest statement. Editorials, commentaries, or other formats may also require a disclosure depending on content. When in doubt, consult the Editor-in-Chief.

In addition to manuscript disclosures, all funding information must be entered during manuscript submission in the peer review system and summarized in the Declarations section before the reference list.

  1. Summary of Disclosure Statements

Disclosure statements must appear under the “Declarations” section of the manuscript and include the following:

Funding

Examples:

  • “This work was supported by [Funder Name], Grant No. [XXXXX].”

  • “Partial financial support was received from [Funder Name].”

  • “No funding was received for this work.”

  1. Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests

Examples:

  • Financial Interests:

    • “Author A has received research support from Company X. Author B owns shares in Company Y.”

    • “The authors declare no financial interests relevant to this work.”

  • Non-Financial Interests:

    • “Author C serves on the advisory board of Organization Z without compensation.”

    • “The authors have no non-financial interests to disclose.”

When all authors have no relevant interests:

  • “The authors declare no competing interests—financial or non-financial—related to this manuscript.”

Note: Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy of their statements. Non-compliance may lead to rejection or retraction.

  1. For Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members, Guest Editors, and Editors must declare any competing interests and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists. This includes:

  • Prior co-authorship with any listed author

  • Affiliation with the same institution

  • Personal or financial relationships that could affect impartiality

If an editor is listed as an author on a submitted manuscript, this must be declared. Another impartial editor will be assigned to manage the peer review independently. All submissions from editorial members will be treated with the same standards as other submissions.

  1. For Editorial Staff

 

NJET upholds the editorial independence of all its processes. Editorial staff must disclose to the publisher any financial or non-financial interests that could influence editorial decisions. Editorial decisions must be based solely on the quality, relevance, and scientific merit of the work. No performance-based incentives should compromise editorial integrity.

Corrections, Retractions, and Matters Arising

Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record is a core responsibility of the NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology (NJET). While rare, corrections, retractions, or clarifications may be necessary when errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles.

  1. Corrections and Retractions

In the event that published articles contain errors or raise concerns, NJET may issue:

  • Corrections, if the integrity of the article remains intact but factual inaccuracies need to be clarified.

  • Retractions, if the validity of the research findings or conclusions is fundamentally undermined.

All corrections and retractions are issued as separate notices that are clearly indexed and bidirectionally linked to the original article. The original publication will remain accessible in the public domain with a clear record of any amendments made. In certain legal or ethical circumstances (e.g., defamatory content or rights infringement), content may be removed entirely (see Section 2).

  1. Who can report concerns?

Authors, readers, or institutions who identify errors or ethical concerns are encouraged to contact the journal’s editorial office directly via the contact details on the journal website. The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with experts if needed, will evaluate the issue in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

  1. Corrections

Corrections may be issued when errors:

  • Impact the clarity, accuracy, or understanding of the work,

  • Do not alter the overall conclusions of the article.

Corrections are published with a note describing the nature of the amendment and remain permanently linked to the original article.

Author Name Changes:

NJET respects authors’ rights to request name changes post-publication (e.g., due to gender identity or personal circumstances). Silent or public correction options are available.

Retractions

Retractions are issued when:

  • The conclusions of the work are significantly flawed or no longer reliable,

  • There is evidence of misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication), or

  • Ethical breaches undermine the integrity of the publication.

Retraction notices:

  • Clearly state the reason for retraction,

  • Remain linked to the original article,

  • Apply a watermark labeled “Retracted” to the article,

  • Include the prefix “Retracted article:” in the title.

Retractions are intended to correct the scientific record—not to punish authors—and are managed in line with COPE guidelines.

  1. Removal of Published Content

In exceptional legal or ethical circumstances, NJET reserves the right to remove content from its platform. This may occur when:

  • The content is found to be defamatory or unlawful,

  • Intellectual property rights or privacy are infringed,

  • A court or regulatory order mandates removal,

  • There is an immediate and serious threat to public health or safety.

In such cases:

  • The article may be temporarily or permanently removed,

  • Basic bibliographic information (title, authors) will remain visible,

  • A public note will explain the reason for removal.

  1. Editorial Notes and Expressions of Concern

Editor’s Note

An Editor’s Note may be published when a journal investigation is initiated but not yet concluded. It serves as a preliminary notification to readers and is published online only, without indexing.

Editorial Expression of Concern (EEoC)

An EEoC is a formal statement from the editorial team indicating serious concerns regarding a published article. It:

  • Is indexed and citable,

  • Receives a DOI,

  • Is linked to the original article, and

  • May precede a final correction or retraction.

These tools are recommended by COPE to maintain transparency during prolonged investigations.

  1. Matters Arising: Post-Publication Commentary

NJET values scientific discourse and supports formal post-publication commentary under the heading “Matters Arising.” This may include:

  • Scientific challenges to published results,

  • Clarifications or reinterpretations,

  • Replication or reproduction studies.

Criteria for publication:

  • The commentary must reflect knowledge available at the time of the original article’s publication (not later advancements),

  • It will be peer-reviewed,

  • Authors of the original article will be invited to respond.

 

Upon acceptance, both the commentary and any author response may be published alongside each other.

Data Availability Statement

Ensuring the reproducibility of scientific findings is a cornerstone of responsible research publishing. Central to reproducibility is data transparency—the ability for others to access, examine, and validate the data on which published results and conclusions are based.

To enhance research integrity and transparency, all manuscripts submitted to the NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology (NJET) must include a Data Availability Statement. This statement should clearly indicate the status of the data associated with the study, including:

  • Whether the data are available in a public repository (with access links if applicable),

  • Available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request,

  • Provided as supplementary files,

  • Or not available due to specific restrictions (e.g., privacy, legal, or ethical limitations).

This policy does not mandate data sharing but requires authors to be transparent about how and where their data can be accessed. The goal is to foster openness and enable other researchers to assess and potentially reproduce the findings.

Key Guidelines:

 

  • Data Availability Statements are mandatory for all submitted articles, regardless of the article type.

  • If data are deposited in a repository, please include the repository name, link, and access conditions.

  • If data are available upon request, indicate this clearly along with a contact person (typically the corresponding author).

  • If no data were generated or the study is based on publicly available datasets, mention this explicitly.

Confidentiality and Peer Review

For journals operating under double-blind peer review, authors are strongly encouraged to anonymize any data that might reveal their identity. Many data repositories offer features for private, anonymized peer review access, which should be used where applicable.

Compliance and Transparency Standards:

This policy aligns with the principles of the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines, Level 1, which advocate for greater clarity and reproducibility in published research. NJET is committed to supporting open scientific practices and was inspired by global best practices, such as those pioneered by Springer Nature, Discover, and Palgrave Macmillan journals.

Examples of Acceptable Data Availability Statements:

 

  • “The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the [repository name] repository, [DOI or URL].”

  • “The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.”

  • “All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].”

  • “No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.”

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

The NIET Journal of Engineering and Technology (NJET) is committed to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the scientific record. Authors are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards in the preparation and submission of their manuscripts.

  1. Originality and Redundant Publication

  • Submissions must be original and must not have been published previously or simultaneously submitted to another journal.

  • Any overlapping or prior publication must be transparently disclosed, including translations or extended versions of earlier work.

  • Authors must avoid practices such as text recycling (self-plagiarism) or “salami slicing”—dividing one substantial piece of work into multiple publications.

  1. Research Integrity

  • Results must be reported honestly and accurately, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data/image manipulation.

  • Data should be collected, analyzed, and presented following recognized disciplinary standards.

  • The manuscript should not include any form of plagiarism. Proper attribution through citation, paraphrasing, and quotation marks must be used, and permission must be obtained for all copyrighted material.

Note: NJET uses plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions.

  1. Use of Tools, Scales, and Third-Party Materials

Authors are responsible for securing the appropriate permissions for using any proprietary software, questionnaires, surveys, or measurement scales.

  1. Citation Ethics

  • Citations must be accurate, appropriate, and relevant to support claims made in the paper.

  • Excessive self-citation or coordinated citation practices are unethical and will be monitored.

  • Misrepresentation of cited work or citing sources not actually consulted by the author is strictly prohibited.

  1. Avoidance of Harmful Content

Authors must avoid defamatory content, unsubstantiated allegations, or descriptions that may harm individuals or organizations. Research that may be misused (e.g., for biological harm or national security threats) must include appropriate warnings.

  1. Authorship and Author Changes

  • All listed authors should have made significant contributions to the research and approved the final version.

  • The order of authors and the designation of the corresponding author must be finalized at submission. Changes to authorship after submission are discouraged and may only be permitted with the approval of all authors and the Editor-in-Chief.

  1. Data Access and Validation

Authors should be prepared to provide raw data, records, or supporting documentation upon request to verify the accuracy of their results. Confidential or proprietary information may be exempted.

  1. Ethical Misconduct and Investigation

In case of suspected ethical breaches (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation, authorship disputes), NJET will follow COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. Depending on the severity:

  • Manuscripts under review may be rejected.

  • Published articles may be corrected, retracted, or accompanied by an editorial expression of concern.

  • Authors’ institutions may be informed.

  • A permanent note regarding the ethical issue may be added to the article’s bibliographic record.

  1. Correction of Fundamental Errors

Authors are obligated to notify the journal promptly if significant errors or inaccuracies are discovered post-publication. Based on the severity, NJET will issue either a correction notice or a retraction, ensuring transparency on the affected sections.

  1. Suggesting or Excluding Reviewers

 

Authors may suggest or request the exclusion of specific reviewers. Suggested reviewers must be independent and not have any conflict of interest. Institutional email addresses must be provided for verification. While NJET is not obliged to follow reviewer suggestions, they are welcomed to aid in the peer review process.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

NJET is actively monitoring the evolving landscape of AI technologies and will update its policies as necessary to maintain research integrity and uphold ethical publishing standards.

  1. AI Authorship

Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, do not meet authorship criteria for NJET publications. Authorship requires accountability and responsibility, which LLMs cannot fulfill.
If an LLM or AI tool is used during manuscript preparation (e.g., for content generation or idea structuring), its use must be explicitly disclosed in the Methods section, or an appropriate section if a Methods section is not included.

However, AI-assisted copy editing—defined as grammar, spelling, formatting, and style improvements to human-generated content—does not require disclosure, provided the final text is reviewed and approved by the authors. The final responsibility for the manuscript content must rest with the human authors, who must confirm that all edits reflect their original work and intent.

  1. Generative AI Images

Due to unresolved legal, copyright, and research ethics issues, NJET currently does not allow the use of generative AI-generated images (including video stills, illustrations, or scientific diagrams) for publication.

Exceptions (must be clearly labeled as AI-generated):

  • Images obtained from licensed providers that have legally created them using AI tools

  • Images included in manuscripts specifically focused on AI research, evaluated case-by-case

  • Images or videos generated from scientific datasets using verifiable and ethically sound AI tools, with adherence to copyright and usage terms

Covered under this policy:

  • Videos, animations, photographs, illustrations, 2D/3D renderings, scientific diagrams, and photo-composites

Not covered under this policy:

  • Text-based or numerical elements such as tables, flowcharts, and simple graphs without image content

Use of non-generative AI tools to enhance or manipulate existing visuals must be disclosed in the figure caption for editorial review.

  1. AI Use by Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers are selected for their subject-matter expertise and are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and fairness of their evaluations. Because generative AI tools may provide inaccurate, biased, or misleading content and manuscripts may contain confidential or proprietary data, peer reviewers must not upload manuscripts to any generative AI platforms. If any portion of the peer review process involved AI assistance (e.g., summarizing data or evaluating arguments), this must be transparently disclosed in the peer review report. NJET is exploring the possibility of providing reviewers with access to secure, ethically approved AI tools in the future and will revise this policy as needed.