Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics Policy for Frontiers in Agriculture

Frontiers in Agriculture is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in publishing and scientific research. This policy outlines the ethical principles and guidelines that all authors, reviewers, and editors must follow to ensure the integrity, transparency, and quality of the journal’s content.

1. Ethical Guidelines for Authors

Authors submitting to Frontiers in Agriculture must adhere to the following ethical standards:

• Originality: Authors must submit original work that has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration for publication by other journals. Any previously published work must be appropriately cited.
• Authorship: All authors listed on a manuscript should have made substantial contributions to the research, including the conception and design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript writing. Authors must confirm that all those who have contributed to the work are included as co-authors, and those who have not contributed should be omitted.
• Acknowledgment of Sources: All sources of data, ideas, and any other material not originally created by the authors must be fully acknowledged. Authors must ensure that all references are accurate and complete.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that may affect the research, writing, or publication process. This includes funding sources, relationships with manufacturers, and any financial benefits received from the research.
• Plagiarism and Misuse of Data: Authors are required to avoid plagiarism and any form of data manipulation. Manuscripts will be checked for plagiarism, and any instances of academic misconduct will result in rejection or retraction of the article.
• Data Access and Retention: Authors must provide access to the raw data underlying their research and be prepared to share it if requested. This is to ensure that others can verify the results and findings. Authors must also retain the data for a reasonable period after publication.

2. Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of the journal’s content. Reviewers are expected to:

• Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents. They must not share, discuss, or use the manuscript’s content for personal gain prior to publication.
• Objectivity: Reviews must be conducted objectively, without any bias or personal prejudice. Reviewers should focus on the scientific and academic quality of the manuscript.
• Constructive Feedback: Reviewers should provide constructive, clear, and specific feedback to help authors improve their manuscript. Feedback should focus on the research’s quality, methodology, clarity, and overall contribution to the field.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest to the editorial board prior to agreeing to review a manuscript. If a conflict is identified during the review process, the reviewer must recuse themselves from the evaluation of the manuscript.
• Promptness: Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the assigned timeline. If they are unable to do so, they must notify the editorial office as soon as possible.

3. Ethical Guidelines for Editors

Editors have the primary responsibility for ensuring the academic and ethical standards of the journal. Their duties include:

• Fairness and Impartiality: Editors must evaluate manuscripts based on their scientific merit, without regard to the author’s race, gender, nationality, religious beliefs, or institutional affiliation.
• Confidentiality: Editors must ensure that all information regarding manuscripts, including the identities of authors and reviewers, is kept confidential. They should not disclose manuscript details to others unless authorized.
• Decision-Making: Editors are responsible for making the final decision on whether to accept, reject, or request revisions for a manuscript. Decisions should be based on the quality of the research, the validity of the findings, and the relevance to the journal’s scope.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a personal or financial conflict.
• Ethical Oversight: Editors must ensure that any ethical issues, such as research misconduct or ethical breaches in human or animal research, are promptly addressed. They should have procedures in place for investigating any allegations of research misconduct.
• Corrections and Retractions: If significant errors or ethical concerns arise after publication, editors are responsible for issuing corrections, clarifications, or retractions in a timely manner. The integrity of the scientific record must always be maintained.

4. Ethical Guidelines for Publishers

The publisher of Frontiers in Agriculture is committed to:

• Ethical Publication Practices: The publisher ensures that all content published by the journal adheres to ethical guidelines and best practices in publishing, including transparency, fairness, and the promotion of academic integrity.
• Ensuring Access to Research: The publisher facilitates the open-access nature of the journal, ensuring that all published articles are freely available to readers worldwide. This aligns with the goal of disseminating scientific knowledge without barriers.
• Data Protection and Privacy: The publisher must ensure that personal data, including information from authors, reviewers, and editors, is handled in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.
• Complaint Resolution: The publisher provides mechanisms for addressing complaints from authors, reviewers, or readers regarding the journal’s publication processes, including any breaches of the publication ethics.

5. Addressing Ethical Violations

Frontiers in Agriculture takes all allegations of ethical misconduct seriously. If an ethical violation is identified or reported, the journal will:

• Investigate Thoroughly: The editorial board will thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or unethical research practices.
• Take Appropriate Action: If an ethical violation is confirmed, the journal may retract the article, issue a correction, or take other necessary actions to ensure the integrity of the publication.
• Report Violations: In cases of serious misconduct, the journal may report the issue to the author’s institution, funding agencies, or other relevant authorities to prevent further misconduct and uphold academic integrity.

6. Transparency and Accountability

To ensure the transparency of the publication process, Frontiers in Agriculture:

• Publishes Conflict of Interest Statements: All authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest, ensuring that the editorial decisions are unbiased and based solely on the quality of the research.
• Clear Review Process: The peer review process is clearly outlined, and all stakeholders (authors, reviewers, editors) are informed of their roles and responsibilities.
• Open Access and Research Integrity: The journal’s open-access policy supports transparency in publishing, making research freely available to the global academic community, and facilitating broader scrutiny and discussion of published work.