Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Section A: Publication and authorship

All submitted papers are subject to a strict peer-review process by at least two reviewers that are experts in the area of the particular article.
The review process is a blind peer review.
The factors that are taken into account in the review are relevance, soundness, significance, originality, readability, and language.
The possible decisions include acceptance, acceptance with revisions, or rejection.
If authors are encouraged to revise and resubmit a submission, there is no guarantee that the revised bid will be accepted.
Rejected articles will not be re-reviewed.
The paper acceptance is constrained by such legal requirements as shall then be in force regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.
No research can be included in more than one publication.

Section B: Authors’ responsibilities

Authors must certify that their manuscripts are their original work.
Authors must certify that the manuscript has not previously been published elsewhere.
Authors must certify that the manuscript is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere.
Authors must participate in the peer-review process.
Authors are obliged to provide retractions or corrections of mistakes.
All Authors mentioned in the paper must have significantly contributed to the research.
Authors must state that all data in the paper are real and authentic.
Authors must notify the Editors of any conflicts of interest.
Authors must identify all sources used in the creation of their manuscript.
Authors must report any errors they discover in their published paper to the Editors.

Section C: Reviewers’ responsibilities

Reviewers should keep all information regarding papers confidential and treat them as privileged information.
Reviews should be conducted objectively, with no personal criticism of the author
Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.
Reviewers should also call to the Editor in Chief’s attention any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.
Reviewers should not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.

Section D: Editors’ responsibilities

Editors have complete responsibility and authority to reject/accept an article.
Editors are responsible for the contents and overall quality of the publication.
Editors should always consider the needs of the authors and the readers when attempting to improve the publication.
Editors should guarantee the quality of the papers and the integrity of the academic record.
Editors should publish errata pages or make corrections when needed.
Editors should have a clear picture of the research’s funding sources.
Editors should base their decisions solely one the papers’ importance, originality, clarity, and relevance to publication’s scope.
Editors should not reverse their decisions nor overturn the ones of previous editors without serious reason.
Editors should preserve the anonymity of reviewers.
Editors should ensure that all research material they publish conforms to internationally accepted ethical guidelines.
Editors should only accept a paper when reasonably sure.
Editors should act if they suspect misconduct, whether a paper is published or unpublished, and make all reasonable attempts to persist in obtaining a resolution to the problem.
Editors should not reject papers based on suspicions; they should have proof of misconduct.
Editors should not allow any conflicts of interest between staff, authors, reviewers, and board members. We follow the journal’s policies on authorship and contributorship in alignment with the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

Complaints and Appeals

Appeals Process: Authors seeking reconsideration of a manuscript rejection should first reach out to the Handling Editor following the guidelines provided on the journal’s website. Since priority is given to active submissions under review, appeal decisions may take additional time. The editorial team will make the final determination on all appeals. Those wishing to challenge an editorial decision should consult the journal’s website for detailed instructions on submitting an appeal. If an appeal is approved, authors will receive guidance on the next steps in processing their manuscript.
Complaints Handling: This procedure applies to complaints related to process failures, such as excessive delays in manuscript handling, as well as concerns regarding publication ethics, including instances of author misconduct. For complaints regarding the rejection of a manuscript, please refer to the appeals policy outlined above. Concerns about process failures should initially be addressed by the Chief Editor/Editor-in-Chief of the journal or the Editor responsible for handling the manuscript.
Complaints About Processes: The Chief Editor/Editor-in-Chief, along with the Handling Editor and/or a member of the journal staff (as appropriate), will review and investigate concerns related to procedural delays, such as extended review times. The complainant will receive relevant feedback, and insights will be shared with stakeholders to refine and enhance journal processes and procedures.
Complaints about publication ethics, e.g., researcher, author, editor, or reviewer conduct The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy

ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts follows the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in addressing research misconduct. Authors must carefully review the journal’s author instructions and ethical policies before submission and ensure full compliance. While authors may suggest potential reviewers for the peer-review process, all reviewers undergo a thorough evaluation to verify their qualifications and assess any potential conflicts of interest before being invited to participate. Reports of research misconduct may relate to published articles or manuscripts under peer review. The handling of such complaints follows a process designed to ensure sensitivity, discretion, and confidentiality, outlined as follows:

The journal's editorial office receives a complaint alleging research misconduct in a submitted or published article. Complaints should be submitted on email id: editor@shodhkosh.com
Complainants must clearly specify the nature of the misconduct. For cases of plagiarism, the plagiarized section should be highlighted, and references to both the original and suspected articles must be provided.
If the misconduct complaint is acknowledged by the author(s), the editorial office will take appropriate action based on the circumstances:- If the article has already been published, an erratum or retraction may be issued to correct the issue, though wording disputes may arise.
If the misconduct is identified during the peer-review process, the review may continue, allowing the author(s) to make the necessary corrections.
In cases of nonresponse within the stipulated timeframe or an inadequate explanation, the article may be permanently retracted or rejected. Expert confirmation from relevant institutions or authorities may be sought before finalizing a decision.
The complainant will be informed of the resolution upon conclusion of the investigation.
Once the complaint is addressed, the case will be considered closed. Additional details can be found on their here Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

Conflicts of Interest Policy

At ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, we are committed to ensuring transparency and ethical integrity in scholarly publishing. To maintain the highest standards, we require all authors, reviewers, and editors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their work.

Author Disclosure:

Authors must declare any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could impact the interpretation of their research.
If applicable, funding sources and affiliations must be clearly stated within the manuscript.
Authors must also disclose any personal or professional connections with organizations that may be affected by the research findings.

Reviewer Disclosure:

Reviewers should recuse themselves from evaluating manuscripts where they have competing interests.
Any financial or institutional ties to the research or authors must be reported to the editorial office before accepting a review assignment.
Reviewers are expected to provide objective assessments and must not use privileged information gained through peer review for personal or professional benefit.

Editor Disclosure:

Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may impact their ability to make impartial editorial decisions.
Editors with a financial, institutional, or personal connection to an author or manuscript should delegate the editorial process to an independent colleague.
Editorial board members must avoid handling submissions from their own institutions or collaborators with whom they have worked closely.

Management of Conflicts:

Any reported conflicts of interest will be assessed by the editorial office. If necessary, the journal may take corrective actions, including reassignment of manuscripts, re-evaluation of reviews, or disclosure statements.
If a conflict is discovered after publication, appropriate measures, such as issuing corrections or clarifications, will be taken to maintain transparency.
The journal follows ethical guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure fair and unbiased publishing practices.

By adhering to this policy, ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts seeks to uphold the integrity and credibility of the scientific publishing process.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility Policy

The ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts is dedicated to fostering transparency, openness, and reproducibility in scholarly research. Our commitment to data sharing and scientific integrity ensures that research findings can be validated and replicated. Our policies align with ethical guidelines and best practices in academic publishing.

Data Sharing Policy:

Encouraging Data Availability: Authors are encouraged to make their raw data, methodologies, and analysis code publicly accessible to enable verification, replication, and further research. Data should be deposited in a recognized public repository, with relevant details provided in the manuscript.
Exceptions: While we promote data sharing, we acknowledge that certain circumstances—such as privacy considerations, proprietary constraints, or ongoing research—may necessitate data restriction. In such cases, authors must provide a clear justification and outline measures taken to protect confidentiality.
Sensitive Data: Research involving sensitive data, such as patient records, must comply with ethical and legal standards, including anonymization and de-identification. Authors must ensure adherence to regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA to safeguard participant privacy.

Reproducibility of Research:

Reproducible Methods and Results: To facilitate research replication, authors should provide comprehensive methodological details, including experimental design, data collection, statistical analyses, and software specifications. Where possible, links to datasets, code, and supplementary materials should be included. Use of Open-Source Tools: The journal encourages the adoption of open-source software and tools to enhance transparency and reproducibility. When proprietary software is used, authors must specify access conditions, licensing details, and disclose any potential biases or limitations. By adhering to these principles, ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts aims to uphold scientific integrity and advance rigorous, reproducible research practices.

Ethical Oversight Policy

ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing. The journal ensures that all research complies with ethical guidelines, including integrity in authorship, peer review, and data transparency. Ethical concerns, such as conflicts of interest, plagiarism, or misconduct, are thoroughly investigated in accordance with industry best practices and the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). By upholding rigorous ethical oversight, we foster trust, credibility, and responsible scholarly communication.

Intellectual Property Policy

ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts respects and upholds intellectual property rights in academic publishing. Authors must ensure that all submitted content, including text, images, and data, complies with copyright laws and proper attribution standards. Any use of third-party materials requires appropriate permissions. The journal follows ethical publishing practices to safeguard originality and prevent unauthorized use of intellectual property.

Post-Publication Discussions Policy

Special Edition/ Guest Editor Policy

Though a journal's editorial team will extend an invitation directly to a guest editor (group) in some cases, we also welcome proposals made directly to a journal for a special issue on a particular topic. Specialized Guest Editors are invited to review articles for a Special Edition. The Guest Editors will be specialized in their fields and will be assigned for the Special Edition based on their Specialization to review articles under Special Edition Scopes. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts publishes Special Edition on demand, If there is a trending topic interested by academicians and practitioners in the field of Engineering and Management, Please send us a proposal to editor@shodhkosh.com

The policy of Screening for Plagiarism

Papers submitted to ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts will be screened for plagiarism using CrossCheck/iThenticate plagiarism detection tools. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts will immediately reject papers leading to plagiarism or self-plagiarism.

Before submitting articles to reviewers, those are first checked for similarity/plagiarism tool, by a member of the editorial team. The papers presented to the ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts must have a similarity level of less than 15%.

Plagiarism is exposing another person’s thoughts or words as though they were your own, without permission, credit, or acknowledgement, or because of failing to cite the sources properly. Plagiarism can take diverse forms, from literal copying to paraphrasing the work of another. To accurately judge whether an author has plagiarized, we emphasize the following possible situations:

An author may duplicate another author's work verbatim, in whole or in part, without obtaining permission, acknowledging the source, or referencing the source. This technique can be detected through a comparison of the source and the manuscript/work accused of plagiarism.
Significant copying entails an author reproducing a substantial portion of another author's work without permission, acknowledgement, or citation. The term itself can be interpreted in terms of both quality and quantity and is frequently used in the context of intellectual property. The term "condition" refers to the copied text's relative significance in relation to the entire work.
Paraphrasing is the process of incorporating ideas, words, or phrases from another source into new sentences inside the text. When the author fails to properly cite or acknowledge the original work/author, this practice becomes unethical. This is the more serious type of plagiarism to be recognised.

Text-recycling/Self-plagiarism Policy

Reproduction, in part or whole, of one's own previously, published work without adequate citation and proper acknowledgement and claiming the most recent work as new and original for any academic advantage amounts to "text recycling" (also known as "self-plagiarism") and is not acceptable

Text-recycling/self-plagiarism includes:

Republishing the same paper already published elsewhere without due and full citation;
Publishing smaller/excerpted work from a longer and previous without due and full citations in order to show a larger number of publications;
Reusing data already used in a published work, or communicated for publication, in another work without due and full citation;
Breaking up a longer/larger study into smaller sections and publishing them as altogether new work without due and full citation;
Paraphrasing one's own previously published work without due and full citation of the original.

Policy on Research Involving Human Participants and Subjects

As a result of the trend, researchers who do human subjects research are now required to declare that they have acted in line with any local or governmental rules and regulations regulating their research prior to publication. This has grown more prevalent in recent years.

Researchers that use human subjects or volunteers in their studies must adhere to strict ethical and regulatory guidelines. An important consideration for authors is that their human study must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations and the broad principles outlined below. To be on the safe side, authors should also make sure that their research practises adhering to the Ethics and Professional Conduct and other national and international standards, such as the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, and the Common Rule. Suggestions of such standards include, but are not limited to the following:

minimization of possible harms, making sure any risks are worth the possible benefits.
protecting the privacy and right to make decisions for people who take part and subjects.
adhering to relevant institutional, national, and international rules and laws.
adhering to the idea of informed consent.
adhering to the principle of justice

Roles and Responsibilities

Authors- It is the authors' responsibility (individually and collectively) to adhere to and demonstrate compliance with this Policy. Authors are responsible for having their study reviewed and approved by local ethical review boards where such boards are necessary. Additionally, authors are accountable for the research's overall ethical conduct. All Authors must be prepared to give verifiable evidence that they followed local ethical and legal norms, as ShodhKosh may seek such documentation at any point following submission of the Work and prior to or after the publication of the Work.

Editors- EICs and AEs are responsible for informing authors of the presence of this policy. Additionally, they are in charge of establishing and explaining any publication-specific human subjects research policy. EICs and AEs are ultimately responsible for determining the appropriate mechanisms for enforcing this policy (including optionally such as questions about human participants and requiring submission of any appropriate documents as part of article submission) and for determining whether a submission is under review should be rejected for violating this policy.

Peer Reviewers- Reviewers have the possibility (and, if specified by the EICs and AEs, the need) to assess whether the human subjects research they are examining was done ethically and in accordance with applicable local regulations. Such concerns may be highlighted in reviews or by contacting the appropriate Editor directly.

Violations

ShodhKosh will examine alleged violations of this Policy upon obtaining reliable information from a specified individual(s) that an author(s) may have violated this Policy. To the degree practicable, claimants' identities will be kept secret.

The Editor-in-Chief will either engage directly with the author(s) to ensure compliance with this Policy or reject the submission if an accusation of potential misconduct relates to an unpublished submission to the journal.

When a complaint of possible misconduct relates to a work already published by ShodhKosh, the ShodhKosh Board shall determine whether the work breaches this policy. ShodhKosh will collaborate with the Board to conduct an investigation and provide advice on the issue.

Additional Resources

WMA Declaration of Helsinki – ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Available on
The Belmont Report. Available on
International Compilation of Human Research Standards, 2020 Edition. Available on
Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects ('Common Rule'). Available on
Ethical concerns about a study involving human subjects, COPE. Available on
Committee on Human Research. Available on

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Archiving

This journal utilizes the PORTICO system to create a distributed archiving system among participating libraries and permits those libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for purposes of preservation and restoration. More...

Withdrawal of Manuscripts

The author is not allowed to withdraw submitted manuscripts, because the withdrawal is a waste of valuable resources that editors and referees spent a great deal of time processing submitted manuscript, and works invested by the publisher.

If the author still requests withdrawal of his/her manuscript when the manuscript is still in the peer-reviewing process, the author will be punished with paying USD ($) 200 or INR 2000 (Indian Author) per document, as withdrawal penalty to the publisher. However, it is unethical to withdraw a submitted manuscript from one journal if accepted by another journal.

The withdrawal of the manuscript after the manuscript is accepted for publication; the author will be punished by paying USD ($) 400 or INR 4000 (Indian Author) per document. Removal of paper is only allowed after the withdrawal penalty has been fully paid to the Publisher. If the author doesn't agree to pay the death, the author and his/her affiliation will be blacklisted for publication in this journal. Even his/her previously published articles will be removed from our online system.

Article Retraction

Infringements of professional ethical codes, such as multiple submission, bogus claims of authorship, plagiarism, fraudulent use of data or the like. Occasionally a retraction will be used to correct errors in submission or publication. The retraction of an article by its authors or the editor under the advice of members of the scholarly community has long been an occasional feature of the learned world. Standards for dealing with retractions have been developed by a number of library and scholarly bodies, and this best practice is adopted for article retraction by Granthaalayah:

The title in meta data will be updated to insert the word "WITHDRAWN:" ahead of the existing title.
The original article is retained unchanged save for a watermark on the .pdf indicating on each page that it is "WITHDRAWN"
The Notices of retraction will be updated in abstract section of meta data with Article citing details, Article retracted by and Reason(s) for retraction.
The HTML version of the document will be removed.
Any other format galley will be removed.

Note that if Authors retain copyright for an article this does not mean they automatically have the right to retract it after publication. The integrity of the published scientific record is of paramount importance and COPE’s Retraction Guidelines still apply in such cases.