Publishing Ethics of
Acta Palaeontologica Sinica (Trial ).
In order to further to enhance the professional ethics of authors, reviewers and editors, and improve the level of journal publishing, the Editorial Department of Acta Palaeontologica Sinica has combined with the actual situation of journal publishing to develop the publishing ethics of Acta Palaeontology Sinica.
APS is committed to upholding the integrity of the scientific record, and will follow the COPE guidelines on how to deal with potential acts of misconduct.
1) The manuscript cannot be submitted to multiple journals at the same time, and the published manuscript cannot be published repeatedly.
2) The authors should ensure that the manuscript is original, free from plagiarism, plagiarism, data forgery, falsify and other academic misconduct, and that the content of the manuscript contains no confidential information.
3) The authors should ensure that the content of the manuscript is scientific and accurate, and the author is self-responsible.
4) All the signed authors must meet the requirements of the journal on the qualifications of authors, and the authors cannot be added or subtracted at will.
5) The authors should objectively evaluate the research results of others, and correctly quote from the manuscript.
6) The funding information related to the research shall be written in the manuscript, and other funding information unrelated to the research shall not be written in the manuscript.
7) The authors should respect the opinions of reviewers. If authors have any objection (complaints and appeals), they can appeal to the editorial department.
2.Publishing ethics of reviewers
1) The reviewers should timely review the manuscript and give specific comments on the review. If the review cannot be completed on time for some reason, the editorial department should be informed timely.
2) The evaluation of the manuscript should be objectiveand accurate, and there should be no offensive, belittling or personal attacks.
3) The reviewers should respect the author's research results, keep the contents of the manuscript confidential, and do not use the author's research results illegally.
4) In case of competition, cooperation or other related interest relationships with the author or the organization, the reviewer should actively avoid reviewing the manuscript.
3.Publishing ethics of editors
1) Editors should timely register, submit, edit and publish manuscripts to ensure fair treatment of each manuscript.
2) Editors should pay attention to publishing standards for the editing and publishing process.
3) Editors should respect the author's research results, keep the contents of the manuscript confidential, and do not use the author's research results illegally, before official publication.
4) Editors should respect the opinions of reviewers. If the author has any objection (complaints and appeals), the author is allowed to appeal.
5) Academic debate is encouraged and a hundred schools of thought contend.
6) Editors should adopt the "anonymous review system" to keep confidential the information about reviewers, except for the reviewer who asked to be named.
7) In case of competition, cooperation or other related interest relationships with the author or the organization, editors should actively avoid dealing with the manuscript.
4.Ethics statement related to fossil specimens
Information on palaeontological specimens and samples should be included within the research methods. Included in this ethics statement should be clear information on the locality (provenance) of the material to ensure full transparency of the research. Associated with this, we require that samples be collected and exported following the relevant permits and local laws, and have been done so in a responsible manner. Any submission that presents new material from protected sites should include information within the text regarding the requisite permission obtained, and ideally copies of the associated permits during submission for review by the editorial team. Any published or type palaeontological specimens should be deposited and housed within a recognised museum or collection to permit free access by other researchers. This institution must be mentioned within the text.
Manuscripts will be rejected without review if authors are unable to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.
5. Procedures for dealing with unethical behavior
1) Identification of unethical behavior
Misconduct and unethical behavior may be identified and brought to the attention of the editor and publisher at any time, by anyone. Misconduct and unethical behavior may include, but need not be limited to, examples as outlined above.
Whoever informs the editor or publisher of such conduct should provide sufficient information and evidence for an investigation to be initiated. All allegations should be taken seriously and treated in the same way, until a successful decision or conclusion is reached.
2) Investigation
An initial decision should be taken by the editor, who should consult with or seek advice from the publisher, if appropriate. Evidence should be gathered, while avoiding spreading any allegations beyond those who need to know.
3) Minor breaches
Minor misconduct might be dealt with without the need to consult more widely. In any event, the author should be given the opportunity to respond to any allegations.
4) Serious breaches
Serious misconduct might require that the employers of the accused be notified. The editor, in consultation with the publisher as appropriate, should make the decision whether or not to involve the employers, either by examining the available evidence themselves or by further consultation with a limited number of experts. Publishers and editors keep the rights for retracting or correcting articles when needed.
5) Outcomes (in increasing order of severity; may be applied separately or in conjunction)
Informing or educating the author or reviewer where there appears to be a misunderstanding or misapplication of acceptable standards. Publishers and editors always be willing to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions and apologies when needed.
A more strongly worded letter to the author or reviewer covering the misconduct and as a warning to future behavior.
Publication of a formal notice detailing the misconduct.
Publication of an editorial detailing the misconduct.
A formal letter to the head of the author’s or reviewer’s department or funding agency.
Formal retraction or withdrawal of a publication from the journal, in conjunction with informing the head of the author or reviewer’s department, Abstracting & Indexing services and the readership of the publication.
Imposition of a formal embargo on contributions from an individual for a defined period.
Reporting the case and outcome to a professional organization or higher authority for further investigation and action.
Editorial Department of Acta Palaeontologica Sinica
2023.11.14
