Publication Ethics

In academic research, many steps and processes for coordination are involved. Authors must be aware of the ethical code of conduct that binds researchers and the scientific community at every stage. International committees comprising editors provide the code of conduct and best practice guidelines that define publication ethics. These guidelines also advise editors on how to handle cases of research and publication misconduct. Some major publication ethics that authors must take into consideration when working on their manuscripts are stated below:

• Authorship: Authors who have been listed in Journal articles must ensure that an important contribution has been made by them through the work reported on. This may comprise research design, data acquisition or analysis of data. As an author or co-author, you are responsible or accountable for the contents of your article.
• Plagiarism: Authors must make sure to avoid plagiarism in their works. When making reference or citing another person’s work, please ensure that

• Verbatim or word-for-word texts quoted from another source have been clearly marked with quotation marks.
• The sources of clear quotations within the text and the reference section are properly referenced.
• Permission must be obtained from the original publishers and when using previously figures or tables.
• Self-plagiarism must be avoided. This is the redundant reuse of your own work, mostly without proper citation. It creates a form of repetition in the academic literature. Try as much as possible to cite when discussing your own previous work.

• Data fabrication/falsification: Accuracy of data is very necessary since it represents your research. Cases of data fabrication will be evaluated by the editors of ADOU Journals and authors may be asked to provide supporting raw data where it is required. Editorial Board Members may be further asked to assist in the evaluation of the paper. Allegations found will however prevent the submission of manuscripts. It will as well be rejected if the explanations given are not convincing enough.
• Competing Interests: Authors having any form of competing interest must be honest about it. This includes; sources of research funding, direct or indirect financial support, supply of equipment or materials or other support. Manuscript(s) may be rejected if authors do not make known a competing interest to the journal upon submission. All co-authors must be notified once papers have been submitted.