Publication Ethics

Procast: Journal of Communication, Multimedia, and Information Technology Development is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. The journal follows internationally recognized principles of responsible scholarly publishing and expects all authors, reviewers, editors, and other parties involved in the publication process to uphold integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability.

The publication ethics policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to Procast and covers authorship, originality, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, peer review, research integrity, corrections, and other matters related to responsible academic publishing.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for ensuring that submitted manuscripts represent original and properly conducted research.

Authors must:

  • Submit only original work that has not been published elsewhere and is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
  • Ensure that all sources, ideas, data, and statements derived from other works are properly cited and acknowledged.
  • Avoid plagiarism, self-plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and other forms of academic misconduct.
  • Ensure that all listed authors have made significant contributions to the research and approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • Obtain appropriate permission for the use of copyrighted materials, when necessary.
  • Provide accurate and transparent information regarding research methods, data, and findings.
  • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the research or its interpretation.
  • Notify the editor promptly if a significant error is discovered in a submitted or published manuscript.
  • Ensure that the manuscript complies with relevant ethical requirements for research involving human participants, personal data, or other sensitive information.

2. Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts submitted to Procast must be original and free from plagiarism. Manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism-detection software as part of the editorial process.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, copying text, ideas, data, images, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate attribution. Substantial duplication of an author's own previously published work without proper disclosure and citation may also be considered inappropriate reuse.

Manuscripts identified as containing significant plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct may be rejected. For published articles, appropriate corrective action may be taken in accordance with the seriousness of the violation.

3. Authorship and Contributions

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, analysis, or interpretation of the research.

All authors should:

  • Make a meaningful contribution to the research.
  • Participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript.
  • Approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • Agree to be accountable for the integrity and accuracy of the work.

Individuals who have contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be appropriately acknowledged.

Changes to the authorship of a manuscript after submission should be requested through the editor and must be agreed upon by all authors concerned.

4. Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for managing the editorial process fairly, objectively, and transparently.

Editors must:

  • Evaluate manuscripts based on their academic quality, relevance, originality, and alignment with the journal's scope.
  • Ensure that editorial decisions are not influenced by the authors' gender, ethnicity, nationality, institutional affiliation, religion, political views, or other personal characteristics.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Select appropriate and qualified reviewers.
  • Manage potential conflicts of interest appropriately.
  • Ensure that suspected cases of research or publication misconduct are investigated fairly.
  • Make publication decisions based on scholarly merit and the journal's editorial policies.

Editors should not use unpublished information from submitted manuscripts for their own research or personal advantage.

5. Peer Review Policy

Procast applies a peer-review process to evaluate submitted manuscripts. Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and confidential assessments of manuscripts.

Reviewers must:

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively and provide clear, evidence-based comments.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and its contents.
  • Identify relevant published work that has not been appropriately cited, where applicable.
  • Inform the editor of any potential conflict of interest that may affect their judgment.
  • Decline the review if they do not have sufficient expertise or cannot complete the review within the required timeframe.
  • Not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal or professional benefit.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, personal, professional, or institutional relationships that could influence the research or publication process.

A conflict of interest does not necessarily prevent publication; however, it must be disclosed transparently so that appropriate measures can be taken.

7. Research Ethics

Research involving human participants, personal data, or other ethically sensitive subjects must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

Where appropriate, authors should provide information regarding ethical approval, informed consent, data protection, and participant confidentiality. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with the ethical regulations applicable to their institution and country.

8. Data and Research Transparency

Authors are encouraged to provide sufficient methodological information to enable readers to understand, evaluate, and, where appropriate, reproduce the research.

Authors should report research findings accurately and must not fabricate, manipulate, or selectively misrepresent data. Where relevant and ethically permissible, authors are encouraged to make supporting data, research materials, code, or other resources available.

9. Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research and manuscript preparation must be transparent and responsible.

AI tools may be used to assist with activities such as language improvement, editing, coding, data analysis, or other appropriate research-related tasks. However, AI tools cannot be listed as authors because they cannot take responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical aspects of the work.

Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including any material generated or assisted by AI. Any substantive use of generative AI that contributes to the manuscript should be appropriately disclosed in accordance with the journal's submission guidelines.

Authors must also ensure that the use of AI does not result in plagiarism, fabricated references, inaccurate information, violation of confidentiality, or infringement of intellectual property rights.

10. Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Actions

Procast is committed to maintaining the integrity of the published scholarly record. If significant errors, inaccuracies, or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal may publish corrections, retractions, or other appropriate editorial notices.

The journal will investigate allegations of misconduct fairly and may request relevant evidence or clarification from authors, reviewers, editors, or affiliated institutions.

Articles may be retracted when there is clear evidence of serious problems affecting the reliability or integrity of the published work.

11. Complaints and Appeals

Authors may submit appeals regarding editorial decisions or raise concerns about the publication process. Complaints should be supported by clear and relevant information.

Procast will consider complaints and appeals fairly, objectively, and confidentially. Editorial decisions will be reviewed based on the journal's policies and the academic merits of the case.

12. Commitment to Academic Integrity

Procast is committed to promoting responsible research and scholarly communication. All participants in the publication process are expected to uphold the principles of honesty, transparency, respect, accountability, and academic integrity.

By maintaining these standards, Procast seeks to ensure that all published research contributes reliably and responsibly to the advancement of communication, multimedia, information technology, and artificial intelligence.