Publication Ethics for The Pinnacle International Journals

At The Pinnacle International Journals (PIJ), we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical practice in the publication process. As a reputable academic publisher, we strive to foster a research environment that values academic integrity, transparency, and fairness. Our eight international journals, which include:

  1. Critique Open Research & Review
  2. International Journal of Management and Business Development
  3. The Pinnacle Research Journal of Scientific and Management Sciences
  4. International Research Journal of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
  5. International Research Journal of Library and Information Sciences
  6. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Development
  7. International Research Journal of Medical Sciences and Health Care
  8. International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Technology

are governed by strict ethical principles to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of published content. Below are the Publication Ethics followed by our editorial board, authors, and reviewers.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to The Pinnacle International Journals must adhere to the highest standards of ethical research and writing. The following principles must be followed:

  • Originality and Plagiarism:
    Manuscripts must be original works of authorship and should not have been published elsewhere. Any form of plagiarism (including self-plagiarism) is strictly prohibited. All sources, data, and previously published works must be properly acknowledged and referenced.

  • Authorship:
    All individuals who have contributed significantly to the research and manuscript preparation must be listed as authors. The corresponding author must be clearly identified, and all authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. Authors must also disclose any contributions from non-authors, such as funding or other resources.

  • Conflict of Interest:
    Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that may have influenced the research. This includes funding sources, affiliations, and any personal relationships that may affect objectivity.

  • Data Accuracy and Integrity:
    Authors must ensure that the data presented in the manuscript is accurate, and that results are reported honestly and without manipulation. Authors should retain the raw data and be willing to share it upon request from the journal or in the case of an audit.

  • Ethical Approval:
    Research involving human participants or animals must adhere to ethical guidelines and have the necessary approvals from institutional review boards or ethics committees. This must be stated in the manuscript. Authors must ensure that participants' consent was obtained and that all privacy rights are respected.

  • Redundant or Concurrent Submissions:
    Authors should not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals concurrently. Any manuscript under consideration for publication in The Pinnacle International Journals should not be under review elsewhere.

  • Acknowledgment of Sources:
    All contributors to the research (other than the authors) must be properly acknowledged. Authors must clearly cite all sources of data, ideas, and literature used in the manuscript.

  • Corrections and Retractions:
    Authors must notify the editorial team if they become aware of any errors, inaccuracies, or inconsistencies in the published work. In case of substantial errors, a correction or retraction may be issued.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers play an essential role in ensuring the quality and integrity of published research. The following ethical guidelines are designed to maintain a high standard of peer review:

  • Confidentiality:
    Reviewers must treat all manuscripts under review as confidential documents. Manuscripts should not be discussed with others or shared without the permission of the editor.

  • Objectivity and Impartiality:
    Reviewers must provide objective, unbiased evaluations based on the scientific merit of the manuscript. Personal biases, prejudices, or conflicts of interest should not influence the review process.

  • Conflict of Interest:
    Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest before accepting a manuscript for review. If a conflict arises after agreeing to review, the reviewer must immediately notify the editorial office and withdraw from the process.

  • Timeliness:
    Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations in a timely manner, ideally within 4-6 weeks. If unable to meet the timeline, reviewers should notify the editorial office and request an extension or withdrawal from the review process.

  • Constructive Feedback:
    Reviewers must provide constructive, specific, and respectful feedback that will help authors improve their manuscript. Comments should focus on the content, methodology, and structure of the manuscript, rather than on the authors' identity or personal characteristics.

  • Disclosure of Potential Bias:
    If a reviewer has a personal or professional relationship with the authors or research group, they must disclose it. If the relationship is significant, the reviewer must recuse themselves from the review process.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of The Pinnacle International Journals is responsible for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the journal. Editors must adhere to the following principles:

  • Fairness and Impartiality:
    Editors must make decisions based on the scientific merit of the manuscript, without regard to the author's race, gender, nationality, religious beliefs, or personal affiliations. Manuscripts should be evaluated objectively and fairly.

  • Confidentiality:
    Editors must ensure that all information regarding submitted manuscripts, including their contents and reviewer comments, is kept confidential. They should not use information from submitted manuscripts for personal or professional gain.

  • Timely Decision-Making:
    Editors are responsible for making timely decisions regarding manuscript submissions. They must communicate with authors and reviewers promptly, ensuring the peer review process progresses efficiently.

  • Publication Ethics:
    Editors must take appropriate action when ethical issues arise during the review process or after publication. This includes handling complaints about plagiarism, unethical research practices, and fraudulent data. They must act transparently and in accordance with the journal’s ethical guidelines.

  • Handling of Complaints:
    Editors are responsible for investigating and addressing any ethical concerns raised by authors, reviewers, or readers. They should provide a fair and transparent process for resolving complaints related to the research, authorship, or publication.

  • Corrections and Retractions:
    If significant errors or misconduct are identified in a published article, editors should coordinate with the author(s) to issue a correction, clarification, or retraction as appropriate.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher, The Pinnacle International Journals, ensures the integrity and ethical practices of the journals it oversees. The following responsibilities are upheld by the publisher:

  • Compliance with Ethical Standards:
    The publisher ensures that all journals under The Pinnacle International Journals adhere to best practices in academic publishing and comply with international ethical standards.

  • Promoting Open Access:
    The publisher supports open-access publishing, making articles freely available to readers and promoting the widespread dissemination of research findings.

  • Ensuring Research Integrity:
    The publisher ensures that all content published in The Pinnacle International Journals meets high ethical standards, particularly with regard to research ethics, data transparency, and reporting standards.

  • Dispute Resolution:
    The publisher is responsible for handling disputes between authors, reviewers, and editors, ensuring that conflicts are resolved in a fair and transparent manner.

  • Ensuring Accessibility:
    The publisher ensures that published content is accessible to readers worldwide. The publisher also provides support for authors facing difficulties with formatting, data visualization, or any technical challenges related to publication.

5. Open Access and Copyright

  • Open Access:
    All articles published in The Pinnacle International Journals are open access, meaning they are freely available to the public. This allows research to reach a global audience, promoting knowledge sharing and scholarly communication.

  • Author Copyright:
    Authors retain copyright to their work upon publication. However, they grant The Pinnacle International Journals the right to publish, distribute, and promote the article under a Creative Commons license (CC BY). Authors are encouraged to share their work widely, including on personal websites and institutional repositories.

6. Ethics in Publishing Research Involving Human and Animal Subjects

  • Human Subjects:
    Research involving human participants must comply with ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent and approval from relevant ethics committees or institutional review boards (IRBs). Authors must explicitly state this approval in their manuscript.

  • Animal Research:
    Research involving animals must be conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and approved by an ethics committee or relevant authority. Manuscripts involving animal research must include a statement that the research followed ethical treatment protocols.