Policies

  1. Peer Review Policy

Overview

Innovative Research in Applied, Biological, and Chemical Sciences (IRABCS) is committed to maintaining a rigorous, transparent, and unbiased peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and scientific validity of published research.

Peer review is a fundamental component of scholarly publishing and serves to evaluate manuscripts based on scientific merit, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

IRABCS follows a double-blind peer review system, where the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process. This approach minimizes potential bias and supports fair evaluation of all submitted manuscripts.

The journal follows internationally recognized publication standards recommended by:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

 

Initial Editorial Assessment

All manuscripts submitted to IRABCS undergo an initial editorial evaluation before external peer review.

The editorial office assesses:

  • Compliance with journal aims and scope
  • Manuscript structure and formatting requirements
  • Completeness of submission materials
  • Ethical approval requirements
  • Conflict of interest declarations
  • Plagiarism and similarity concerns
  • Overall suitability for the journal

Manuscripts that do not meet minimum submission requirements or fall outside the journal scope may be returned to authors or rejected before peer review.

 

Reviewer Selection

Manuscripts that successfully pass initial screening are assigned to qualified reviewers with expertise relevant to the research area.

Reviewers are selected based on:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Research expertise
  • Subject knowledge
  • Previous reviewing experience
  • Absence of conflicts of interest

The editorial team ensures that reviewers provide independent and objective assessments.

 

Review Process

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts considering:

  • Originality and novelty of the research
  • Scientific significance
  • Research methodology
  • Accuracy of data analysis
  • Interpretation of results
  • Ethical compliance
  • Quality of academic writing
  • Relevance to the journal scope

Reviewers provide recommendations to the editor regarding manuscript disposition.

Possible decisions include:

  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

The final publication decision remains the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief or designated handling editor.

 

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts
  • Provide objective and constructive evaluations
  • Identify important published work that has not been cited
  • Report suspected ethical concerns
  • Avoid personal criticism of authors
  • Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe

Reviewers must decline invitations if:

  • They have a conflict of interest
  • They lack sufficient expertise
  • They cannot provide an unbiased evaluation

 

Confidentiality

All manuscript information, reviewer reports, editorial discussions, and decisions are treated as confidential.

Reviewers must not:

  • Share manuscript content
  • Discuss manuscripts with unauthorized individuals
  • Use unpublished information for personal benefit

 

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may submit an appeal if they believe an editorial decision was based on a significant misunderstanding or procedural issue.

Appeals should include:

  • Manuscript identification details
  • Clear explanation of the concern
  • Supporting evidence where applicable

Appeals are reviewed by the editorial team, and additional expert opinions may be requested when necessary.

  

  1. Publication Ethics Policy

Overview

IRABCS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and ethical publishing practices.

The journal recognizes that responsible research communication requires cooperation among authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers.

IRABCS follows ethical principles established by:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

 

Ethical Principles

IRABCS promotes:

  • Research integrity
  • Transparency in reporting
  • Accountability for published work
  • Fair and unbiased editorial decisions
  • Confidentiality during peer review
  • Respect for research participants

 

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to IRABCS must ensure that:

  • The research is original and accurately reported
  • Data and findings are presented honestly
  • Appropriate references are provided
  • Ethical approval has been obtained where required
  • All authors meet authorship requirements
  • Conflicts of interest are disclosed

Authors must not submit:

  • Previously published work
  • Manuscripts under review elsewhere
  • Research containing fabricated or falsified information

 

Research Misconduct

IRABCS considers the following practices unethical:

Data Fabrication

Creating false data or reporting results that were not obtained.

Data Falsification

Manipulating research materials, methods, or results to present misleading conclusions.

Image Manipulation

Improper alteration of scientific images or figures.

Duplicate Publication

Publishing substantially similar research findings in more than one journal.

Citation Manipulation

Artificially increasing citations or inappropriate citation practices.

Unethical Authorship

Including individuals who have not contributed substantially or excluding eligible contributors.

 

Handling Ethical Concerns

When concerns regarding research integrity arise, IRABCS may:

  1. Review the reported concern
  2. Request clarification from authors
  3. Consult reviewers or subject experts
  4. Contact relevant institutions when necessary
  5. Take appropriate editorial action

Actions may include:

  • Manuscript rejection
  • Correction publication
  • Retraction
  • Expression of concern
  • Notification to institutions

 

Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for:

  • Ensuring fair manuscript evaluation
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Managing conflicts of interest
  • Following ethical publishing standards
  • Addressing allegations of misconduct

Editorial decisions are based solely on:

  • Scientific quality
  • Research integrity
  • Peer review outcomes
  • Journal scope

 

  1. Plagiarism Policy

Overview

IRABCS considers originality and proper acknowledgment of previous work essential requirements of ethical scientific publishing.

Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and may result in rejection, correction, or retraction of published work.

 

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes:

Direct Plagiarism

Using another person's words, ideas, data, or results without appropriate acknowledgment.

Self-Plagiarism

Reusing substantial portions of previously published work without proper citation or justification.

Duplicate Publication

Submitting or publishing the same research findings in multiple journals.

Mosaic Plagiarism

Combining copied phrases or ideas from multiple sources without proper attribution.

Unauthorized Use of Material

Using copyrighted figures, tables, images, or data without permission.

 

Similarity Screening

All manuscripts submitted to IRABCS undergo plagiarism screening before peer review.

The journal uses plagiarism detection software to identify:

  • Text similarity
  • Duplicate publication
  • Uncredited reuse of published material
  • Potential copyright issues

Similarity reports are evaluated by the editorial team considering legitimate overlap such as:

  • References
  • Standard terminology
  • Common methodological descriptions

 

Editorial Actions

If plagiarism is identified, IRABCS may:

  • Request author clarification
  • Ask for revision
  • Reject the manuscript
  • Investigate further

For published articles, confirmed plagiarism may result in:

  • Correction
  • Retraction
  • Notification of relevant institutions

 

Author Declaration

By submitting a manuscript to IRABCS, authors confirm that:

  • The work is original
  • All sources are properly cited
  • Required permissions have been obtained
  • The manuscript is not submitted elsewhere

 

  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Overview

IRABCS recognizes that artificial intelligence tools may support researchers during manuscript preparation. However, AI technologies must be used responsibly and transparently.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of their manuscripts.

 

AI Authorship

Artificial intelligence tools, including large language models and generative AI systems, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.

AI systems cannot:

  • Assume responsibility for published content
  • Approve final manuscripts
  • Respond to research integrity concerns
  • Hold authorship rights

 

Acceptable Use of AI Tools

AI tools may be used for:

  • Language improvement
  • Grammar correction
  • Formatting assistance
  • Improving readability

However, authors must critically review all AI-assisted content.

 

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must disclose significant AI assistance used during manuscript preparation.

Disclosure should include:

  • Name of AI tool
  • Purpose of use
  • Extent of assistance provided

AI-generated content must not replace original scientific reasoning, analysis, or intellectual contribution.

 

Author Responsibility

Authors remain responsible for:

  • Accuracy of information
  • Proper citation of sources
  • Avoiding fabricated references
  • Maintaining research integrity

 

  1. Authorship & Contributorship Policy

Overview

IRABCS follows internationally accepted authorship principles to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in assigning authorship.

The journal follows authorship recommendations established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

 

Authorship Criteria

An author should have made substantial contributions to one or more of the following:

  • Conception or design of the study
  • Data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation
  • Development of research methodology
  • Drafting or critically revising the manuscript
  • Approval of the final published version
  • Accountability for the integrity of the work

 

Author Responsibilities

All authors must:

  • Approve the submitted manuscript
  • Agree with publication of the final version
  • Take responsibility for their contributions
  • Cooperate with post-publication investigations

 

Unethical Authorship Practices

IRABCS does not permit:

Gift Authorship

Including individuals who have not contributed substantially.

Guest Authorship

Adding individuals due to reputation or position without contribution.

Ghost Authorship

Excluding individuals who made significant contributions.

 

Contributors and Acknowledgments

Individuals who contribute through:

  • Technical assistance
  • Administrative support
  • Funding acquisition
  • General supervision

should be acknowledged appropriately but should not automatically be listed as authors.

 

Changes in Authorship

Requests for authorship changes after submission require:

  • Written explanation
  • Agreement from all authors
  • Editorial approval

Authorship disputes are handled according to ethical publishing guidelines.

 

  1. Open Access Policy

Overview

Innovative Research in Applied, Biological, and Chemical Sciences (IRABCS) follows an open-access publishing model to promote the unrestricted dissemination of scientific knowledge and support global access to scholarly research.

The journal believes that publicly available research contributes to scientific advancement, collaboration, innovation, and the development of evidence-based solutions.

All published articles are made available online without subscription barriers, allowing researchers, students, professionals, and the general public to access scientific information.

 

Accessibility of Published Content

IRABCS provides immediate online access to published articles.

Readers may:

  • Access published articles freely
  • Read and download research content
  • Share published articles according to the applicable license terms
  • Use published research for educational and scientific purposes

The journal supports broad dissemination while ensuring appropriate recognition of authors and protection of intellectual property rights.

 

Author Rights

Authors retain copyright ownership of their published work according to the journal’s copyright and licensing agreement.

Authors are granted appropriate rights to:

  • Share their published research
  • Deposit articles in permitted repositories
  • Promote academic communication of their work

 

Open Access and Research Visibility

The open-access model adopted by IRABCS aims to:

  • Increase global accessibility of scientific research
  • Improve research visibility and discoverability
  • Encourage academic collaboration
  • Support researchers from diverse regions

 

  1. Copyright & Licensing Policy

Overview

The IRABCS follows a transparent copyright and licensing framework that defines the rights of authors, readers, and the publisher while supporting responsible access to scholarly research.

The journal publishes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

This license allows readers to access, download, and share published articles for non-commercial purposes while ensuring proper attribution to the original authors and protecting the integrity of the published work.

 

Copyright Ownership

Authors retain copyright ownership of their published work.

By publishing with IRABCS, authors grant the journal the necessary publishing rights to:

  • Publish and distribute the article
  • Host the article on the journal website and publishing platforms
  • Preserve and archive the article
  • Promote scholarly dissemination of the published research

The copyright remains with the authors unless otherwise specified in a separate agreement.

Under this license, users are permitted to allowed uses:

  • Read and download published articles
  • Share articles with proper attribution
  • Distribute copies for non-commercial purposes

 

Restrictions Under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Users are not permitted to:

  • Use published content for commercial purposes without permission
  • Modify, adapt, remix, transform, or create derivative works from the published article
  • Remove author attribution or copyright notices

Any permitted reuse must include proper citation of the original article and authors.

 

Author Rights

Under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, authors retain the right to:

  • Share their published work for academic purposes
  • Deposit the article in permitted repositories
  • Use the work for teaching and research activities
  • Receive recognition for their scholarly contribution

 

Third-Party Material

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission for any third-party content included in their manuscripts, including:

  • Figures
  • Tables
  • Images
  • Previously published materials
  • Proprietary datasets

Authors must provide appropriate acknowledgment and documentation where required.

 

Commercial Reuse Requests

Any commercial use, modification, adaptation, or redistribution beyond the permissions granted under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License requires prior written permission from the copyright holder. Evidence of permission may be requested by the editorial office.

 

  1. Archiving & Preservation Policy

Overview

IRABCS is committed to ensuring the long-term preservation, stability, and accessibility of published scholarly content.

The journal recognizes that digital preservation is essential for maintaining the integrity of the scientific record.

 

Digital Preservation

IRABCS maintains preservation practices to ensure continued availability of published articles through:

  • Digital archiving systems
  • DOI-based identification
  • Metadata preservation
  • Repository services

 

Long-Term Accessibility

The journal aims to ensure that published articles remain accessible despite:

  • Changes in technology
  • Website updates
  • Platform migration
  • Other digital infrastructure changes

 

Publisher Responsibility

The publisher is responsible for maintaining:

  • Accurate article records
  • Publication metadata
  • Persistent article links
  • Long-term availability of published research

 

Author Repository Rights

Authors may deposit their manuscripts in institutional or subject repositories where permitted under the journal’s licensing terms.

 

  1. Indexing & Abstracting Policy

Overview

IRABCS is committed to increasing the visibility, accessibility, and discoverability of published research through appropriate indexing and abstracting services.

The journal works toward inclusion in recognized academic databases and scholarly communication platforms.

 

Metadata Distribution

For published articles, IRABCS maintains accurate bibliographic information, including:

  • Article title
  • Author information
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • References
  • Digital Object Identifier (DOI), where applicable

 

Indexing Applications

The journal may apply for inclusion in relevant indexing and abstracting databases based on:

  • Journal quality standards
  • Publication history
  • Editorial practices
  • Ethical compliance
  • Technical requirements of indexing organizations

 

External Evaluation

Indexing decisions are made independently by external organizations according to their own evaluation criteria.

IRABCS does not guarantee inclusion in any specific database unless officially confirmed by the indexing organization.

 

  1. Research Ethics Policy

Overview

IRABCS is committed to promoting responsible research practices and ensuring that all published studies comply with internationally accepted ethical principles.

Authors are responsible for conducting research ethically and reporting findings accurately and transparently.

 

Human Research Ethics

Research involving human participants must comply with recognized ethical standards.

Authors must ensure:

  • Appropriate ethical approval is obtained where required
  • Participants’ rights and privacy are protected
  • Risks are minimized
  • Research procedures follow approved protocols

Manuscripts involving human participants should include an ethics statement describing relevant approval.

 

Animal Research Ethics

Research involving animals must follow internationally accepted standards for animal care and welfare.

Authors must provide information regarding:

  • Ethical approval
  • Institutional oversight
  • Animal welfare considerations

Research involving animals should minimize unnecessary harm and follow approved scientific practices.

 

Biosafety and Responsible Research

Studies involving biological materials, microorganisms, chemicals, or potentially hazardous procedures must comply with applicable safety requirements.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research activities follow institutional and regulatory standards.

 

Research Integrity

Authors must ensure:

  • Accurate reporting of methods and results
  • Proper data management
  • Appropriate citation of previous research
  • Honest interpretation of findings

 

  1. Informed Consent Policy

Overview

IRABCS requires authors to respect the rights, privacy, and dignity of individuals participating in research.

Research involving human participants must follow ethical principles regarding informed consent.

 

Participant Consent

Authors must obtain informed consent from participants before inclusion in research studies where applicable.

Participants should be informed about:

  • Purpose of the research
  • Procedures involved
  • Potential risks and benefits
  • Use of collected information

 

Publication Consent

Written consent is required when manuscripts include identifiable information, including:

  • Personal data
  • Clinical information
  • Images
  • Case reports
  • Videos or recordings

 

Protection of Participant Privacy

Authors must remove identifying information unless disclosure is scientifically necessary and appropriate consent has been obtained.

The editorial team may request confirmation of consent when ethical concerns arise.

 

  1. Conflict of Interest Policy

Overview

IRABCS requires transparency regarding any relationship or circumstance that may influence the interpretation, evaluation, or publication of research.

Conflicts of interest may involve:

  • Financial relationships
  • Institutional affiliations
  • Professional relationships
  • Personal interests

 

Author Disclosure

Authors must disclose all relevant conflicts of interest during manuscript submission.

Examples include:

  • Research funding
  • Employment relationships
  • Consultancy arrangements
  • Financial support from organizations

 

Reviewer Conflicts

Reviewers must disclose conflicts before accepting a review assignment.

A reviewer should decline review if a conflict may affect impartiality.

 

Editorial Conflicts

Editors must avoid handling manuscripts where personal, professional, or institutional relationships could influence editorial decisions.

Alternative editors or reviewers may be assigned when necessary.

 

Management of Conflicts

The editorial office evaluates disclosed conflicts and determines appropriate actions to maintain fairness and transparency.

 

  1. Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of Concern Policy

Overview

IRABCS is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record.

When errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal follows transparent procedures to correct the published literature.

 

Corrections

A correction may be issued when a published article contains errors that do not invalidate the overall findings.

Examples include:

  • Typographical mistakes
  • Author information errors
  • Minor factual inaccuracies
  • Formatting issues

Corrections are linked to the original article to maintain transparency.

 

Retractions

An article may be retracted when serious issues affect the reliability or integrity of the publication.

Reasons for retraction may include:

  • Data fabrication
  • Data falsification
  • Plagiarism
  • Duplicate publication
  • Unethical research practices
  • Major errors affecting conclusions

Retracted articles remain available for transparency but are clearly identified as retracted.

 

Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be issued when:

  • Serious allegations have been raised
  • An investigation is ongoing
  • Available evidence is insufficient for immediate correction or retraction

The journal updates the record after the investigation is completed.

 

Retraction and Correction Process

The editorial team may:

  • Review available evidence
  • Contact authors
  • Consult experts
  • Communicate with institutions where appropriate

Decisions are made according to ethical publishing standards and applicable COPE recommendations.

 

  1. Privacy Statement

Overview

IRABCS respects the privacy of authors, reviewers, readers, and users of the journal website.

Personal information collected through the journal system is handled responsibly and used only for legitimate publishing purposes.

 

Use of Personal Information

Information collected may include:

  • Names
  • Email addresses
  • Institutional affiliations
  • Submission-related information

This information is used for:

  • Manuscript processing
  • Peer review management
  • Editorial communication
  • Journal administration

 

Confidentiality

Author and reviewer information is treated confidentially throughout the publication process.

Reviewer identities are not disclosed under the double-blind peer review model.

 

Data Protection

IRABCS does not sell, distribute, or share personal information with unrelated third parties.

Personal data is accessed only by authorized individuals involved in journal operations.

 

Contact Regarding Privacy

Questions or concerns regarding personal data handling may be directed to the IRABCS editorial office.