Allegations of Misconduct

      University of Thi-Qar Journal of Science (UTJsci) is very sensitive to research misconduct and uses all resources available to avoid publishing misconducted research. Though there is no standard definition of research misconduct, the Council of Editors defines research misconduct generally in three categories of action and conducts. UTJsci uses this definition of misconduct in its dealing with the issue and follows strictly the COPE follow chart in dealing with research misconduct. Additionally, for each component of the research misconduct, UTJsci has many assurance policies as follows:

- Mistreatment of research subjects
- Falsification and Fabrication of data
- Piracy and Plagiarism

Falsification and Fabrication of data

     Fabrication is defined as making up of data without actually collecting or synthesizing scientific data. Falsification is defined as the manipulation of research material in order to reach a favorable results. Fabrication and falsification could happen at any stage of research (in the field) up to the publication of a manuscript where misuse of citation can happen (referencing a citation when the citation does not support the argument). UTJsci attempts to identify any type of fabrication or falsification in all levels of manuscript processing, from initial screening to comprehensive evaluation of a revised manuscript and even after publishing process. Report of any fabrication and falsification is an ethical duty of our authors, co-authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. In any event of falsification or fabrication, UTJsci keeps its right to retract or withdraw the fabricated or falsified article. UTJsci strictly follows the COPE follow the chart in dealing with fabrication and falsification.

Plagiarism

     The definition of plagiarism is the unjustified appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit. Self-plagiarism is another type of plagiarism that occurs when an author publishes his own words, ideas, and facts in many journals when there is no necessity for such repetition. UTJsci employs all available tools to spot plagiarism. A manuscript that contains more than 20% text similarity will be returned to the author as a matter of quality control in order to eliminate the similarities and lower the risk of plagiarism. When it comes to dealing with plagiarized publications, the UTJsci fully adheres to the COPE follow the chart.