Publication Ethics & Research Integrity
MJSTEM upholds the highest standards of publication ethics, aligned with the principles and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
MJSTEM is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and research integrity. The journal adheres to the principles and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
- All parties involved in the publication process — authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher — are expected to observe recognised ethical standards.
- The journal does not tolerate plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, image manipulation, duplicate or redundant publication, citation manipulation, or peer-review manipulation.
- Allegations of misconduct are investigated in accordance with COPE guidance, and authors are given an opportunity to respond before any decision is reached.
- Confirmed misconduct may result in rejection, correction, retraction, or notification of the author’s institution and funding bodies.
All manuscripts are screened for originality. The acceptable similarity level is 15%, assessed in context — editorial decisions focus on the nature of any overlap rather than the percentage alone. Submissions exceeding this threshold may be returned for revision or rejected.
The journal does not tolerate fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, image manipulation, citation manipulation, peer-review manipulation, or paper-mill submissions. Allegations are investigated following COPE guidance.
MJSTEM adheres to the principles and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
MJSTEM is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern are issued where necessary to ensure that the published literature remains accurate, transparent, and trustworthy.
Corrections
Corrections may be published where:
- Typographical or production errors affect the interpretation of the article.
- Author names or affiliations require amendment.
- References contain significant errors.
- Minor factual inaccuracies exist that do not affect the overall findings.
Corrections are permanently linked to the original article so that the corrected record is clearly visible to readers.
Retractions
An article may be retracted where evidence demonstrates:
- Plagiarism or duplicate publication.
- Fabricated or falsified data or findings.
- Unethical research or serious methodological errors.
- Copyright infringement or peer-review manipulation.
Retracted articles remain accessible to preserve the scholarly record but are clearly marked as “Retracted” on every page.
Expressions of Concern
Where an investigation is ongoing and conclusive evidence is not yet available, MJSTEM may publish an Expression of Concern pending completion of the investigation.
Where articles have been archived in Zenodo, the version of record and any associated corrections or retraction notices are maintained so that the complete and accurate history of the article is preserved.
Complaints Policy
MJSTEM takes all complaints seriously and is committed to addressing them promptly, fairly, and transparently.
- Complaints regarding editorial processes, publication ethics, or the conduct of editors, reviewers, or staff should be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief.
- Complaints are acknowledged and investigated in a fair and timely manner, in accordance with COPE guidance.
- The outcome of the investigation is communicated to the complainant in writing.
- Where a complaint reveals a systemic issue, the journal will take appropriate corrective action.
Appeals Policy
Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions where they believe an error has been made or that the decision did not adequately reflect the merits of their work.
- Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief, setting out clearly the grounds for the appeal and responding to the points raised during review.
- Appeals are considered independently of the original decision-making process.
- The Editor-in-Chief may consult additional reviewers or editorial board members before reaching a decision.
- The final decision on an appeal is communicated to the author in writing and is binding.
Authors are discouraged from withdrawing manuscripts after submission, as review consumes valuable editorial and reviewer resources. However, the journal recognises that withdrawal may occasionally be necessary.
- Requests to withdraw a manuscript must be made in writing to the editorial office and signed by all authors.
- A manuscript may be withdrawn without penalty before the peer review process begins.
- Withdrawal requests made during or after peer review are considered on a case-by-case basis and require a clear justification.
- Manuscripts may not be withdrawn after acceptance except in exceptional and justified circumstances approved by the Editor-in-Chief.
For role-specific responsibilities and workflow acknowledgements, see the Ethics & Policies hub.