Editorial Ethics and Research Integrity

Index Journal upholds high standards of ethical practice in academic publishing. We follow the principles set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and draw on frameworks such as the ICMJE recommendations and the Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT). Our editorial procedures are aligned with international standards for transparency, accountability, and scholarly rigour.

Authorship and Attribution

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all listed authors have made a significant contribution to the work, and that the contribution of each is clearly acknowledged using the CRediT taxonomy. They must also confirm that all authors agree to the submission and to the journal’s policies on ethics, access, and, where relevant, data transparency.

Originality and Submissions

All submissions must present original work. Manuscripts under consideration at Index Journal must not be submitted elsewhere. We reserve the right to reject work where duplication, substantial overlap, or fabrication is identified.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

Cases of plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification will be taken seriously. Where there is clear evidence of misconduct, we may refer the matter to the author’s institution and/or funding body. In post-publication instances, we will investigate and, if warranted, issue corrections, expressions of concern, or formal retractions.

Retractions and Corrections

We adhere to COPE guidelines on article retraction and post-publication correction. A retraction will be considered where findings are shown to be invalid or where serious ethical breaches have occurred. Corrections and editorial notices will be clearly marked and linked to the original publication.

Use of Generative AI

AI tools such as large language models may not be credited as authors. Authors must disclose the use of AI in the preparation of manuscripts, including the generation of text, images, or data. Responsibility for the content of the article—including any AI-generated material—rests entirely with the named authors. Undisclosed use of generative tools may constitute grounds for rejection or correction.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors must declare any relationships—financial or otherwise—that could be seen to influence the work. This includes but is not limited to affiliations, funding, consultancies, or personal and professional rivalries. Transparency in these matters is essential to maintaining trust in the publication process.

Research Involving Humans

For work involving human participants, authors must confirm that ethical approval was granted by an appropriate review body (such as an IRB) and that participants gave informed consent. Any identifying information must be handled with care and only published with explicit permission. If anonymity cannot be guaranteed, this must be disclosed and justified.

Research Involving Animals

Research involving animals must have been approved in advance by a recognised animal ethics committee. Authors must provide details of ethical oversight and describe steps taken to minimise suffering. Where national guidelines apply (e.g., NIH, ARRIVE), adherence should be stated clearly in the manuscript.

Raising Concerns

Concerns about the integrity of work published in Index Journal may be directed to the editorial team via our contact page. All allegations will be treated seriously and investigated in accordance with COPE’s guidelines.