Publication Ethics

The International Journal of Fundamental Research and Development is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. The journal follows the core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects authors, reviewers, and editors to act with honesty, fairness, and responsibility.

Authorship

Authorship is restricted to those who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the work, have helped draft or critically revise the manuscript, have approved the final version, and accept accountability for the integrity of the research. Contributors who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged. Any change in the list of authors after submission requires written consent from all parties and a clear explanation.

Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts must be original. The journal screens submissions for plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. Work containing significant unattributed material will be rejected, and in serious cases the authors’ institutions may be notified.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors must declare any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation. If no conflict exists, a statement confirming this should be included. Editors and reviewers must also declare any potential conflicts and withdraw from handling a manuscript when necessary.

Research Ethics

Studies involving human participants or animals require prior approval from an appropriate institutional ethics committee. Informed consent must be obtained where required. A statement confirming ethical approval and consent should appear in the manuscript.

Data Integrity

Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is not accepted. Authors are expected to present findings accurately and to retain primary data for a reasonable period. Where appropriate, data should be made available upon legitimate request.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review are treated as confidential. Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not share or use the content of a manuscript for personal advantage.

Corrections and Retractions

If errors or ethical concerns are discovered after publication, the journal will issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction as appropriate, following COPE guidance. The integrity of the scholarly record remains the priority.

Peer Review Integrity

The journal operates a double-blind peer review process. Reviewers are expected to provide objective and constructive assessments. Any attempt to manipulate the review process is regarded as a serious breach of ethics.

Complaints and Appeals

Authors who wish to appeal a decision or raise a concern about the publication process may contact the Editor-in-Chief. All complaints are handled fairly and in accordance with recognised ethical standards.

Failure to comply with these principles may result in rejection of a manuscript, retraction of a published article, or other appropriate action by the journal.