Publication Ethics

The Journal of Shipbuilding and Marine Technology (JSMT) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher in ensuring the integrity of scholarly publishing.

JSMT follows internationally recognized best practices in scholarly publishing and is guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and academic integrity.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to JSMT must ensure that:

Originality and Plagiarism

  • The submitted work is original and has not been published previously.

  • All sources are properly cited.

  • The manuscript passes plagiarism screening (maximum similarity index: 20%).

Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.

Data Integrity

  • Data must be accurate and honestly presented.

  • Fabrication, falsification, manipulation, or selective reporting of data is unacceptable.

  • Sufficient detail must be provided to allow replication where applicable.

Multiple or Concurrent Submission

  • Manuscripts must not be under consideration by another journal at the same time.

  • Duplicate or redundant publication is unethical.

Authorship

  • Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors.

  • All co-authors must approve the final version before submission.

  • Changes in authorship after submission must be justified and approved by the editorial office.

Conflict of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest that may influence the research.

Acknowledgment of Funding

  • All sources of financial support must be clearly acknowledged.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors of JSMT are responsible for:

Fair and Impartial Decision-Making

  • Evaluating manuscripts solely based on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

  • Avoiding discrimination based on gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs.

Confidentiality

  • Treating all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents.

  • Not using unpublished materials for personal research.

Conflict of Interest

  • Recusing themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Handling Misconduct

  • Taking appropriate action in cases of suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical conduct.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers must:

Confidentiality

  • Treat manuscripts as confidential.

  • Not share or use unpublished information for personal advantage.

Objectivity

  • Provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based feedback.

  • Avoid personal criticism of authors.

Acknowledgment of Sources

  • Identify relevant work not cited by the authors.

  • Report any substantial similarity to other published works.

Conflict of Interest

  • Decline review if any conflict of interest exists.

4. Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher supports the editorial board by:

  • Ensuring editorial independence.

  • Maintaining digital preservation systems.

  • Facilitating corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.

  • Supporting investigations of ethical misconduct.

5. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

When ethical misconduct is suspected, JSMT will:

  1. Conduct a preliminary investigation.

  2. Request clarification from the author(s).

  3. Consult reviewers or experts if necessary.

  4. Take appropriate action, which may include:

    • Manuscript rejection

    • Publication of corrections

    • Retraction of published articles

    • Notification to authors’ institutions

6. Corrections and Retractions

If errors or ethical violations are identified after publication, JSMT will issue:

  • Correction (Erratum) for minor errors.

  • Retraction for serious ethical violations or unreliable findings.

  • Expression of Concern when investigations are ongoing.

7. Commitment to Integrity

JSMT is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the scientific record in shipbuilding, marine engineering, and marine technology. All participants in the publication process are expected to uphold ethical standards and promote responsible scholarly communication.