Ethics and Malpractices Statement

The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology (NJP) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its publication process. This Ethics and Malpractices Statement outlines the principles, guidelines, and procedures that govern the conduct of authors, reviewers, editors, and the journal itself. It aims to ensure the integrity, objectivity, and reliability of the scholarly work published in NJP.

  1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors:

1.1 Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their submitted work is original and has not been published elsewhere. Plagiarism, including verbatim copying or paraphrasing without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited. All sources must be appropriately cited.

1.2 Authorship: All individuals who have made significant contributions to the research work should be listed as authors. It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and have agreed to its submission.

1.3 Data and Results: Authors should accurately report their research findings, methods, and data. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data or results are considered unethical and unacceptable.

1.4 Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be perceived as potential conflicts of interest that may influence the research, analysis, or interpretation of the findings. Such disclosures should be provided in the manuscript.

1.5 Human and Animal Subjects: When human subjects or animals are involved in the research, authors must comply with applicable ethical guidelines and obtain necessary approvals from relevant ethical review boards. The rights, privacy, and welfare of individuals or animals involved in the research must be respected and protected.

  1. Responsibilities of Reviewers:

2.1 Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential and refrain from discussing or sharing their content with unauthorized individuals. They should not use any information from the manuscripts for personal gain or to their disadvantage.

2.2 Objectivity and Timeliness: Reviewers should provide objective and constructive feedback based on their expertise, knowledge, and the established evaluation criteria. Reviews should be completed in a timely manner to facilitate the editorial decision-making process.

2.3 Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that may compromise their impartiality or objectivity in reviewing a manuscript. If a reviewer feels that they are not qualified to assess a manuscript or have a potential conflict of interest, they should promptly inform the editor.

  1. Responsibilities of Editors:

3.1 Editorial Independence: Editors must maintain editorial independence and make decisions based on the scholarly merit of the manuscript, its originality, relevance, and adherence to the journal's scope and guidelines. They should not be influenced by personal, financial, or other non-academic factors.

3.2 Peer Review Process: Editors are responsible for implementing a fair and rigorous peer review process. They must ensure that reviewers are qualified and impartial, and that the identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential during the review process.

3.3 Transparency and Communication: Editors should clearly communicate the journal's policies, procedures, and expectations to authors, reviewers, and readers. They must handle any ethical concerns or complaints promptly and fairly, following established guidelines and ethical standards.

3.4 Corrections and Retractions: If significant errors, misleading information, or ethical misconduct are identified in a published article, editors have a responsibility to initiate appropriate corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern as necessary, following the journal's Retraction Policy and established guidelines.

  1. Journal's Responsibilities:

4.1 Integrity and Quality: NJP is committed to maintaining the integrity and quality of published articles. The journal strives to provide a platform for original and high-quality research that contributes to the field of parasitology.

4.2 Plagiarism and Misconduct Detection: NJP employs plagiarism detection tools and follows best practices to identify potential instances of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other forms of misconduct. Suspected cases will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions taken.

4.3 Open Access and Copyright: NJP is not an open access Journal. The Journal retain copyright of all published work. NJP may published some special issue freely online, allowing unrestricted access to the full-text articles.

4.4 Malpractice Investigation and Actions: NJP will investigate any reported cases of ethical misconduct or malpractice promptly and thoroughly. Appropriate actions will be taken, including but not limited to rejection, withdrawal, correction, or retraction of published articles, as deemed necessary.

  1. Contact Information:

For inquiries, ethical concerns, or further information regarding the Ethics and Malpractices Statement of NJP, please contact us at editor@njpar.com.ng.

By submitting manuscripts to the Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, authors, reviewers, and editors acknowledge and agree to uphold the principles and guidelines outlined in this Ethics and Malpractices Statement.