Publication Ethics

PUBLICATION ETHICS: FOSTERING EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY IN MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

At Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering, we are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. These guidelines reflect our unwavering dedication to excellence, integrity, and responsible scholarly publishing.

ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Editor-in-Chief

The foremost responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief is to ensure that the journal's masthead prominently identifies esteemed section editors and editorial board members. We provide authors with clear and comprehensive submission guidelines, empowering them to present their work in the best possible manner. Additionally, we have implemented an efficient and timely peer review system, which guarantees rigorous evaluation and the maintenance of published article quality. We treat all authors with fairness, respect, objectivity, honesty, and transparency, recognizing and valuing their intellectual contributions. Safeguarding the confidentiality of each author's work is of paramount importance to us. Making prompt editorial decisions and communicating them clearly and constructively creates an environment that nurtures collaboration and supports authors throughout the publication process.

Editors

As editors, we embrace the critical responsibility of conducting thorough and objective peer review of submitted manuscripts. We meticulously assign papers to reviewers with relevant expertise and interest, ensuring the highest quality evaluation. We deeply appreciate the invaluable contribution of our reviewers, providing them with sufficient time to offer thoughtful, fair, constructive, and informative critiques. Upholding the integrity of the journal is of utmost importance to us, and we diligently safeguard ethical standards at every stage of the publication process. Furthermore, we actively provide recommendations to enhance the evaluation and dissemination of scientific material, continuously striving to advance the impact and reach of the published work.

Reviewers

Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity, quality, as well as the highest ethical standards of Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering. We kindly request reviewers to refrain from incorporating personal comments or criticism in their evaluations, emphasizing the provision of objective and constructive feedback. Promptly notifying the editor regarding any inability to review within the designated timeframe is greatly appreciated, along with suggesting alternative reviewers. We greatly value the expertise of our reviewers and expect them to offer thoughtful, fair, constructive, and informative critiques, taking into consideration supplementary materials provided by the authors. Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality, unless approved by the editor and necessary for the review process. Completing the review process promptly within the designated schedule ensures the timely dissemination of knowledge. By adhering to the guidelines, reviewers contribute to the robustness and credibility of the peer review process:

Best Practices

Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Reviewers assist the editor in making informed editorial decisions. Through their evaluations, they provide valuable insights and recommendations that contribute to enhancing the quality of the manuscript. Reviewers also help authors improve their work through constructive feedback and suggestions.

Promptness: Reviewers should promptly notify the editor if they feel unqualified to review a manuscript or if they are unable to complete the review within the given timeframe. Timely communication allows for efficient editorial management and ensures that the review process progresses smoothly.

Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all received manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not disclose, share, or discuss the manuscript with anyone unless authorized by the editor. Confidentiality safeguards the integrity of the peer review process and protects the rights and intellectual property of the authors.

Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively and impartially. Reviewers should provide their assessments and evaluations based on a thorough and unbiased analysis of the manuscript. Personal criticism or bias should be avoided, focusing instead on providing constructive and fair feedback to authors.

Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. If reviewers are aware of any previously reported observation, derivation, or argument, they should highlight it with the appropriate citation. Additionally, reviewers should notify the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and any other published work within their knowledge.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their objectivity in reviewing the manuscript. Conflicts of interest may arise from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the manuscript. Full disclosure allows editors to make informed decisions and ensure the integrity of the review process.

Completing the Review Process: Reviewers are expected to complete the review process within the designated schedule. Timely completion is essential for maintaining efficient publication timelines and ensuring that authors receive timely feedback on their work.

By fulfilling these duties, reviewers contribute to maintaining the rigorous standards of Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering. Their commitment to integrity, impartiality, and constructive feedback is vital in ensuring the publication of high-quality research and fostering a culture of scholarly excellence.

Authors

Authors are essential contributors to the scholarly integrity and quality of Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering. They are an indispensable part of our esteemed journal, and we have specific expectations to uphold ethical standards. We require authors to submit their manuscripts through our secure online manuscript system, strictly adhering to the guidelines outlined on the Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering website. It is imperative that authors ensure the originality of their work, confirming that it has neither been previously published nor is under consideration elsewhere, unless appropriately explained to the editor. Submitting manuscripts in Microsoft Word format, instead of PDF, facilitates efficient processing and enhances the quality of the published work. We strongly encourage authors to focus on presenting their research objectively and professionally, avoiding personal comments or criticism in their submissions.

Best Practices

Reporting Standards: Authors must provide an accurate and objective account of their original research, accompanied by a comprehensive discussion of its significance. The paper should include sufficient detail and references to allow others to replicate the work. Authors must avoid fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements, as such behavior is considered unethical and unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention: Authors should be prepared to provide the raw data associated with their manuscript for editorial review. If feasible, authors should also be willing to provide public access to the data, in line with the ALPSP-STM Statement on Data and Databases. It is crucial for authors to retain such data for a reasonable period after publication, ensuring the availability of research materials for further inquiry.

Originality and Plagiarism: Authors are responsible for submitting original work that is not plagiarized. It is essential to appropriately cite or quote any content or words sourced from other publications. Authors must ensure that their work is entirely their own or duly attributed to the original sources.

Ethical Manuscript Submission and Prohibition of Dual Submissions: Authors are expected to adhere to the principles of singular, unique, and simultaneous manuscript submission. It is imperative that authors abstain from submitting research papers that substantially replicate the same study to multiple journals. The act of concurrently submitting an identical manuscript to various journals constitutes a breach of ethical publishing conduct and is unequivocally unacceptable. We emphasize that authors must exercise diligence in submitting their work exclusively to a singular journal at any given time. Failure to comply with these ethical guidelines by engaging in double submissions will result in the immediate rejection of the manuscript and the imposition of a ban on future submissions by the author in question. Our commitment to fostering a robust and ethically sound publication process necessitates the strict enforcement of these standards.

Acknowledgment of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is crucial. Authors should cite relevant publications that have influenced the nature and direction of their own work. By acknowledging the contributions of others, authors demonstrate their commitment to intellectual honesty and respect for the scholarly community.

Authorship of the Paper: Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All significant contributors should be listed as co-authors. Additionally, individuals who have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project should be acknowledged or listed as contributors. The corresponding author holds the responsibility of ensuring that all appropriate co-authors are included on the paper and that they have reviewed and approved the final version for publication.

Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects: If the research involves the use of hazardous materials, procedures, or equipment, authors must clearly identify and address these aspects in the manuscript. Proper reporting of any potential hazards and adherence to ethical guidelines regarding human or animal subjects are essential.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors should disclose any financial or substantive conflicts of interest that could potentially influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. Additionally, authors should disclose all sources of financial support for the project, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works: Authors have an obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher if they discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work. By cooperating with the editor, authors can initiate the necessary retractions or corrections to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.

By embracing these duties, authors contribute to the integrity, credibility, and impact of Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering. Their adherence to ethical guidelines supports the advancement of knowledge and fosters a scholarly community based on trust, collaboration, and respect.

AUTHORSHIP AMENDMENT PROTOCOL

The composition of authors on a manuscript is a critical aspect of scholarly publication. To maintain transparency, fairness, and accountability, our journal has established a protocol for adding or removing authors' names from a manuscript.

Change of authorship can only be considered prior to the decision process of the manuscript. Authors seeking to modify the list of authors are required to formally request such changes through email correspondence to the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief, possessing the full authority to oversee the publication process, is entrusted with the prerogative to approve or disapprove the requested alterations to authorship.

It is important to emphasize that authorship should accurately reflect the substantial intellectual contributions of individuals to the research, ensuring ethical adherence and the integrity of the published work. Any proposed changes to authorship after the decision process shall not be accommodated to maintain the consistency and integrity of the scholarly record.

Authors are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines and to engage in thoughtful and transparent collaboration when determining the authorship composition. By upholding these principles, authors contribute to the promotion of responsible and ethically sound research practices within our academic community.

AUTHORSHIP COLLABORATION AND CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

In the interest of promoting clarity and transparency in multi-authored manuscripts, our journal recognizes the importance of clearly defining the contributions of each author. When a manuscript includes a substantial number of authors, the Editor-in-Chief is empowered to request an author contribution statement to delineate the specific roles and contributions of each individual.

This practice aligns with our commitment to maintaining accountability and ethical authorship practices within scholarly publications. Authors should be prepared to provide comprehensive and transparent information about their respective contributions to the research, ensuring that authorship reflects the genuine intellectual involvement of each individual.

This approach not only fosters a better understanding of the collaborative efforts behind a manuscript but also upholds the integrity and credibility of the scholarly work. Authors are encouraged to collaborate effectively and communicate openly to ensure that authorship is both accurate and fair.

PLAGIARISM GUIDELINES

At Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering, we uphold a strict stance against plagiarism to ensure the highest standards of integrity. Authors are required to submit original work that is entirely free from plagiarism. This means giving proper credit by citing or quoting any content or words taken from other publications. To maintain the integrity of all submissions, our editorial office employs advanced plagiarism-checking software, such as Turnitin®, to identify any similarities with existing literature.

It's important to note that we have set a maximum similarity index of 20%. Any submission exceeding this similarity index will be rejected to uphold the integrity of our journal and ensure that the work is genuinely original. We place significant emphasis on acknowledging and respecting the intellectual contributions of others, thereby fostering a culture of academic honesty, integrity, and originality.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

The peer review process of our journal is outlined through the inclusion of a dedicated section that provides detailed insights. This section serves as a comprehensive resource, offering transparency into the various dimensions of our peer review methodology. Notably, our approach exclusively involves external reviewers to ensure an impartial evaluation. To uphold the robustness of our double-blind peer review system, a minimum of two external reviewers assesses each manuscript. Decisively, the authority to determine manuscript acceptance rests with the section editor, with the involvement of the Editor-in-Chief reserved for exceptional cases. This strategic transparency allows authors, reviewers, and readers to gain a clear understanding of our evaluation procedure. By providing such comprehensive information, we uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and excellence in our journal's content assessment.

MAINTAINING RESEARCH INTEGRITY

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering upholds the highest standards of research integrity. We place great importance on authors conducting their research with unwavering honesty, accuracy, and transparency. This means adhering to ethical guidelines and embracing best practices within their respective disciplines. By consistently upholding research integrity, authors play a pivotal role in enhancing the credibility and trustworthiness of the published work. This commitment to integrity ensures that the knowledge shared through our journal is of the highest quality and reliability.

PROMOTING DATA SHARING AND REPRODUCIBILITY

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering is a strong advocate for data sharing and reproducibility. We encourage authors to not only present their findings but also to provide the underlying raw data associated with their manuscripts for thorough editorial review. Additionally, whenever feasible, authors are urged to make their data accessible to the public. This emphasis on transparency and openness serves multiple purposes: it facilitates validation of findings, enables replication of studies, and supports further research. Through the promotion of data sharing, we actively contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and innovation.

ADDRESSING CONFLICTS

At Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering, we have established a robust mechanism for conflict resolution. This mechanism is designed to effectively address any conflicts or disputes that may arise during the publication process. We actively encourage authors, reviewers, and editors to promptly engage with this process, adhering to established procedures that ensure a fair and impartial resolution. By committing to this approach, we reinforce transparency and fairness in all stages of the publication process.

ETHICAL TREATMENT OF RESEARCH SUBJECTS

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering places significant emphasis on the ethical treatment of both human and animal subjects in research. For authors conducting studies involving these subjects, it is paramount to adhere to appropriate ethical standards. This includes obtaining the necessary approvals and ensuring the welfare and protection of the participants. Upholding these ethical principles is central to promoting responsible research conduct and safeguarding the rights and well-being of both human and animal subjects. Through this commitment, we underscore our dedication to the highest standards of ethical research practice.

POLICIES ON CORRECTIONS, RETRACTIONS, AND ERRATA

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering has established procedures for handling corrections, retractions, and errata. In the event of significant errors, misleading information, or ethical concerns, authors should promptly notify the journal editor or publisher. Cooperation with the editor facilitates necessary retractions or corrections, maintaining the integrity of the scientific record and fostering transparency.

Corrections to manuscripts are exclusively allowed during the camera-ready stage, prior to publication. After publication, no corrections will be considered. This ensures that the content maintains its accuracy and integrity post-publication.

Retractions are permitted only through a formal letter submitted to the Editor-in-Chief. The ultimate authority for approving retractions rests with the Editor-in-Chief, ensuring a thorough and balanced assessment of each case.

Regarding the publication process, authors of accepted manuscripts will receive an initial notification. This will be followed by notifications concerning the camera-ready copy and, subsequently, the completion of the camera-ready process. Finally, a notification will be sent upon the publication of the respective issue.

By adhering to these well-defined guidelines, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to upholding the credibility and integrity of our journal's content while fostering transparency, fairness, and clarity throughout the publication process.

EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering places a strong emphasis on maintaining editorial independence and preventing conflicts of interest. Our editors, reviewers, and authors are required to transparently disclose any potential conflicts that could potentially compromise objectivity and integrity. By adhering to these disclosure practices, we commit to upholding a publication process that is marked by transparency and impartiality. This dedication ensures that our journal maintains its credibility and remains a trustworthy source of valuable scholarly contributions.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering holds a deep regard for intellectual property rights and copyright laws. Authors are expected to uphold the principles of copyright by accurately attributing and citing sources. Ensuring proper permissions for the use of copyrighted materials is imperative to maintain ethical standards and prevent any potential infringements.

PROMOTING OPEN SCIENCE AND OPEN ACCESS

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering is a staunch advocate of open science and open access publishing. We encourage authors to explore the possibilities of open access and embrace the practice of openly sharing their research. This fosters an environment of collaboration, enhances accessibility, and facilitates the global dissemination of knowledge. By championing the principles of open science, we contribute to greater transparency, inclusivity, and innovation within scientific research.

PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY, AND DIVERSE REPRESENTATION

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering actively promotes inclusivity, equity, and diverse representation within the realm of publishing. We encourage authors, reviewers, and editors to prioritize the inclusivity of their work, thus fostering a publishing environment that values and embraces diversity. Discrimination and bias have no place here, and by embracing a variety of perspectives and experiences, we nurture a scholarly community that reflects the richness of human thought and understanding.

ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY AND CONTINUOUS ENHANCEMENT

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering is committed to continuous improvement and transparency. We welcome feedback and actively incorporate best practices to enhance the publication process. Our policies, peer review process, and decision-making are transparent, ensuring accountability and fostering trust within the scholarly community. By embracing these comprehensive guidelines, Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering underscores its dedication to excellence, integrity, and responsible scholarly publishing. These principles form the foundation of our commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to the scientific community.

DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION MEASURES

Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering prioritize the safeguarding of data privacy and protection. Our commitment to responsible research extends to the preservation of the privacy of individuals and entities participating in studies. We adhere rigorously to established practices and relevant data protection regulations, ensuring that sensitive information is treated with the utmost care. Through meticulous anonymization techniques and stringent data handling protocols, we mitigate the risk of unintended disclosure. We recognize the paramount importance of maintaining the trust of our contributors, subjects, and readers, and as such, we employ robust measures to prevent any compromise in data security. By consistently upholding the highest standards of data privacy, we affirm our dedication to ethical research practices that are both transparent and accountable.

PUBLICATION DECISIONS

The editors of the Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering are responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published. The validation of the work in question and its importance to researchers and readers must always drive such decisions. The editors may be guided by the policies of the journal's editorial board and constrained by such legal requirements as shall then be in force regarding libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. The editors may confer with other editors or reviewers in making this decision.

FAIR PLAY

At all times, the editor conducts evaluations of manuscripts based on their intellectual merit, impartially and irrespective of the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious convictions, ethnic background, citizenship, or political ideology.

ENHANCING MANUSCRIPT READABILITY THROUGH AI-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY

In the evolving landscape of scholarly communication, the integration of AI-assisted technology to enhance manuscript readability is gaining momentum. Authors are encouraged to responsibly utilize these tools, ensuring that while AI aids in optimizing readability, human oversight is maintained to uphold accuracy and coherence. It is essential to use AI tools ethically, refraining from compromising authenticity or ethical integrity. It is important to note that manuscripts suspected of being heavily drafted by AI may be subject to scrutiny by the Editor-in-Chief, who holds the authority to decline the submission if deemed necessary. By adhering to these guidelines, authors contribute to fostering transparent, accountable, and ethically sound research practices, advancing the accessibility of scholarly work through AI-driven readability enhancements.