Publication Ethics Policy

The Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (JNPR) adheres to a strict Publication Ethics Policy to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in scientific publishing. This policy provides a framework for authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers to act responsibly, thereby safeguarding the credibility of the journal. JNPR aligns its practices with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ICMJE, and other international guidelines.

Core Principles

• Integrity: All research must be conducted and reported honestly.
• Transparency: Full disclosure of conflicts of interest, funding, and contributions is mandatory.
• Fairness: Decisions on publication are based solely on merit, not personal or institutional bias.
• Accountability: All stakeholders are accountable for ethical conduct throughout the publication cycle.

Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. Contributors not qualifying for authorship must be acknowledged. Ghost, guest, and honorary authorship are strictly prohibited.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit only original works. Plagiarism in any form—text, ideas, images, or data—is considered unethical and unacceptable. Manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening before peer review.

Data Accuracy and Availability

Authors must present accurate, verifiable results and should not fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data. Authors are encouraged to deposit supporting data in repositories and provide access upon reasonable request.

Peer Review Integrity

JNPR follows a double-blind peer review process. Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts impartially, disclose conflicts of interest, and maintain confidentiality. Editors ensure that peer review is unbiased and transparent.

Editorial Independence

Editors have full independence in decision-making and are not influenced by commercial or personal interests. All decisions are based on the scholarly merit of submissions.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could bias the work. Disclosures are published with the final article to maintain transparency.

Research on Humans and Animals

Manuscripts reporting studies involving humans must confirm compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and must state that informed consent was obtained. Animal studies must comply with internationally recognized guidelines on animal welfare and include details of ethical approval.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct

Suspected misconduct is investigated thoroughly following COPE guidelines:

• Plagiarism: May lead to rejection or retraction with formal notice.
• Data fabrication/falsification: Investigated with institutional cooperation.
• Authorship disputes: Resolved based on contributions and COPE flowcharts.
• Conflicts of interest: Addressed transparently with disclosures.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

• Corrections: Issued for errors that do not undermine the findings.
• Retractions: Issued for unreliable or unethical research.
• Expressions of Concern: Used to alert readers while investigations are ongoing.

Publisher’s Role

The publisher ensures compliance with ethical standards, supports editorial independence, and provides necessary resources for ethical oversight. The publisher also collaborates with indexing services, repositories, and global ethical bodies to ensure best practices are followed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if authors fail to disclose conflicts of interest?

Failure to disclose conflicts may result in rejection or retraction, and institutions may be informed.

Can authors appeal against editorial decisions?

Yes. Appeals must be reasoned and are reviewed by an independent editor or board member.

How does JNPR ensure compliance with ethical standards?

By integrating COPE, ICMJE, and OASPA guidelines into editorial workflows, with mandatory screening, ethical approval requirements, and conflict disclosure.

Is duplicate submission allowed?

No. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical and may result in sanctions.