Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (JNPR) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethics in scholarly publishing. We strictly adhere to international ethical guidelines as set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). The following statement outlines our responsibilities and practices to prevent publication malpractice.

General Principles

Ethical publishing is a cornerstone of JNPR. All stakeholders including editors, authors, reviewers, and publishers must commit to integrity, transparency, and fairness throughout the publication cycle.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Make unbiased editorial decisions based solely on academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Ensure fair double-blind peer review with appropriate confidentiality.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decisions where necessary.
  • Take responsive measures in cases of suspected or proven misconduct, including errata, retractions, or expressions of concern.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • Submit original work free from plagiarism, redundant publication, or data manipulation.
  • Provide accurate representation of methodology, results, and interpretations.
  • Disclose all sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest, and contributions of co-authors.
  • Ensure proper ethical approval and informed consent for research involving human participants or animals.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, confidentially, and within agreed timelines.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authors, or institutions involved.
  • Identify relevant published work not cited by the authors.
  • Refrain from using privileged information obtained during the review process.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher, Peertechz Publications Pvt. Ltd., works closely with editors to maintain academic integrity and to prevent publication malpractice. We support editorial independence, provide infrastructure for ethical oversight, and ensure compliance with legal and international standards.

Misconduct and Investigation Procedures

JNPR handles cases of suspected ethical misconduct in line with COPE guidelines:

  • Plagiarism: Detected via plagiarism-checking tools before peer review; serious cases may lead to rejection or retraction.
  • Data Fabrication/Falsification: Investigations conducted in collaboration with institutions.
  • Redundant or Duplicate Publication: Overlapping publications without disclosure will be withdrawn.
  • Improper Authorship: Guest, ghost, or honorary authorship is unacceptable.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

JNPR takes corrective action where errors or ethical breaches are identified:

  • Corrections: Issued when minor errors do not compromise the integrity of the research.
  • Retractions: Published for fraudulent or seriously flawed research.
  • Expressions of Concern: Used to notify readers of potential issues pending investigation.

Data Availability and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to make research data available in recognized repositories. Transparency in data reporting ensures reproducibility and strengthens trust in published work.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that may influence the research. These disclosures are published with the article to ensure transparency for readers.

Ethical Standards for Human and Animal Research

All studies involving human participants must state compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and confirm informed consent. Animal studies must follow internationally accepted guidelines for animal welfare and include details of ethics committee approval.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions or lodge complaints about the editorial process. Appeals are reviewed by the editorial board independently and transparently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if plagiarism is detected after publication?

The article will be retracted, and a notice will be published on the journal’s website with full transparency.

Can authors appeal against rejection?

Yes. Authors may submit an appeal which will be considered independently by an editor not involved in the initial decision.

Does the journal follow COPE retraction guidelines?

Yes. All corrections and retractions are issued in accordance with COPE’s best practices to ensure academic record integrity.