Ethical Oversight

At Scifiniti Publishing, we are committed to the highest standards of research and publication ethics, ensuring that all scholarly work we publish is trustworthy, reproducible, and conducted responsibly.

In line with COPE and international ethical guidelines, this section outlines our approach to ethical oversight, covering research integrity, plagiarism prevention, authorship and contributorship transparency, conflict of interest disclosure, data availability and reproducibility, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

These policies establish clear expectations for authors, reviewers, and editors, promoting accountability, responsible reporting, and the protection of human and animal participants throughout all stages of research and publication.

By adhering to these standards, we safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record and foster a culture of transparency, fairness, and ethical responsibility.

Ethical Guidelines for Authors

1. Authorship

Scifiniti Publishing abides by the guidelines recommended by the ICMJE and COPE for authorship criteria. To become an author, an individual must follow the four criteria stated by ICMJE:

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
• Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content; AND
• Final approval of the version to be published; AND
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. 

Authors’ Contribution

Authors’ contributions toward the preparation of manuscripts must be properly mentioned in the manuscript. Authors are recommended to refer to CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy), which offers a comprehensive taxonomy encompassing 14 distinct roles that characterize contributors' involvement in research outputs. These roles serve to specify the contributions made by each author to the article.

How to Specify Authors’ Contribution?

• X.X. contributed to Conceptualization and Writing.
• X.Y. conducted Data curation and Analysis.
• Y.Y. has a contribution in Investigation and Methodology.

Non-Author Contribution

It is recommended that individuals who do not meet all the specified criteria for authorship should not be included as authors in the paper. Instead, their contributions should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgment section of the manuscript. This practice is in line with the recommendations from organizations such as the ICMJE and the COPE. Before proceeding with acknowledgments, it is essential to ensure the approval of the corresponding author and to adhere to the specific authorship and acknowledgments policies of the target journal to maintain transparency and ethical standards in scholarly publishing.

The following activities alone, without additional substantial contribution, don’t meet authorship criteria:

• Acquisition of Funding
• Supervision of a Research Group
• Administrative Support
• Language Editing
• Proofreading
• Writing Assistance
• Technical Editing

As per the recommended guidelines of ICMJE, because acknowledgment may imply endorsement of a study’s data and conclusions, we require that the corresponding author obtain written permission from all individuals listed in the acknowledgments.

For further details, please review ICMJE's definition of non-author contribution.

Corresponding Author

The corresponding author is the primary author responsible for coordinating with the Editorial Office throughout the manuscript processing, from submission to publication. They act as the main liaison between the co-authors and the journal, keeping all authors informed of manuscript status, editorial decisions, and reviewer comments. The corresponding author is also the point of contact after publication for any queries related to the manuscript, including requests for corrections, clarifications, or additional information. They ensure that all important updates are communicated to the co-authors and that the published record accurately reflects the work

Co-author

A co-author is an individual who makes substantial contributions to the conception, design, methodology, execution, investigation, or analysis of the research presented. Co-authors are expected to participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript, approve the final version for publication, and take responsibility for the integrity of their contribution. All co-authors share accountability for ensuring the accuracy and ethical compliance of the work.

Group Authorship

In the case of manuscripts where authorship is retained by a consortium or group, the author list must include the name of the consortium or group only if all listed individual authors meet all four ICMJE authorship criteria as described above. 

Deceased Authors

If an author passes away during the manuscript processing stage, it is the responsibility of the corresponding author or co-authors to notify the editorial office. In cases where the deceased author was the corresponding author, the remaining authors, by mutual consent, should nominate another author to assume this role. The newly appointed corresponding author must ensure that the deceased author’s conflict of interest (COI) statement has been addressed. If necessary, the corresponding author may obtain confirmation of the COI from the author’s next of kin, family member, or legal executor. The editorial office should be informed, and the name of the newly appointed corresponding author should be appended to the manuscript following publication. The deceased author will still be eligible to be listed as an author if they have made a substantial contribution to the work, ensuring proper recognition of their scientific contribution.

If the manuscript has only a single author who passes away, and all revisions were confirmed by the author before their death, the final approval of the publisher’s version may be provided by the author’s next of kin or legal executor. Any comments or feedback from the next of kin will be recorded and considered by the editorial office before publication.

For transparency, the journal includes a statement or footnote in the published article indicating the date of the author’s death in relation to their participation in authorship, along with a note that, to the best of the journal’s ability, there were no conflicts of interest affecting the work.

In the published manuscript, a toggle symbol (†) will be placed next to the name of the deceased author. A corresponding note will indicate:

• “Author [Name] passed away on [Date].”

This ensures that deceased authors receive proper acknowledgments for their contributions, maintains transparency for readers, and preserves the integrity of the scientific record.

AI Authorship

Scifiniti Publishing acknowledges that AI tools may support manuscript preparation. AI tools cannot be credited as authors, as they cannot take responsibility for the work, disclose conflicts of interest, or manage copyright and licensing. Authors remain entirely responsible for the integrity, originality, and accuracy of all content, including sections generated with AI. For comprehensive guidance, please refer to the AI Usage Policy section. 

Gift, Guest, and Ghost Authorship

Guest authorship refers to the inclusion of an individual as an author primarily to enhance the manuscript’s prestige, visibility, credibility, or likelihood of acceptance, despite the individual not meeting the journal’s established authorship criteria.

Gift authorship refers to the inclusion of an individual as an author as a courtesy or due to factors such as seniority, institutional expectations, reciprocal arrangements, or affiliation, despite the individual not meeting the journal’s established authorship criteria.

Scifiniti Publishing strictly adheres to ICMJE authorship criteria and does not permit gift or guest authorship under any circumstances.

In contrast to gift and guest authors, ghost authors are those who have made significant contributions to the manuscript's preparation, but their names are not listed in the authorship. Instead, their contribution has been attributed to someone else in the manuscript.

Identifying guest, gift, and ghost authors is sometimes difficult. Scifiniti Publishing therefore follows COPE Guidelines to identify such authorship problems. If such authorship issues are identified, appropriate actions as recommended by COPE will be taken.

Author Order and Number

The number of authors on a manuscript may range from a sole author to multiple contributors, with no restriction on total authorship. The order of authors should reflect each individual’s relative contribution or be mutually agreed upon by all authors.

Change in the Authors' List

Any change in the authors’ list, including changes in sequence, addition, or removal of authors during or after the publication of the manuscript, must be approved by all listed authors. The corresponding author is required to provide:

• Written consent of all authors, including those who are either added or deleted.
• A revised copyright letter with the updated list of authors.
• Authors’ contribution statement, if added, or reason for removal.

Scifiniti Publishing however, reserves the right to accept or reject modification based on provided evidence, and in this connection, the COPE recommended protocol will be used:

• Addition of an extra author - before publication [View Protocol]
• Addition of an extra author - after publication [View Protocol]
• Removal of an author - before publication [View Protocol]
• Removal of an author - after publication [View Protocol]

For comprehensive information on Authorship, please review “COPE Discussion Document on Authorship”.

Authorship Dispute 

Authorship disputes may occur when disagreements arise among contributors regarding their roles, responsibilities, or recognition in a manuscript. These disputes generally fall into two categories:

• Interpretation Disputes:
• Disagreements about whether a contributor’s work meets the ICMJE criteria for authorship.
• Examples include disputes over whether someone’s contribution to data analysis, manuscript drafting, or critical review is considered substantial.
• These disputes typically involve negotiation among co-authors, supported by evidence such as laboratory notes, drafts, or contribution statements.

• Ethical Breaches (Authorship Misconduct):
• Situations where authorship is manipulated or misrepresented in violation of ethical standards.
• Examples include:
• Including individuals as authors who made little or no contribution (gift or guest authorship)
• Excluding individuals who did make substantial contributions (ghost authorship)
• Unapproved changes to the author order or the inclusion/exclusion of authors after submission

Authorship disputes, if they occur, are addressed in accordance with the guidelines recommended by the COPE. Generally, disputed authorship does not justify retraction as long as there is no valid reason to question the validity of the findings.

2. AI Use Policy for Authors

The use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Manuscript Preparation

With rapid advances in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools are increasingly being used in research and scholarly writing. When applied responsibly, these tools can help researchers work efficiently, analyze complex literature, summarize a field or research question, identify gaps, generate ideas, and support tasks such as organizing content and refining language for clarity.

Scifiniti Publishing recognizes the value of these tools but emphasizes that human oversight, critical thinking, and subject-matter expertise remain essential. AI outputs cannot substitute human evaluation, interpretation, or judgment, and authors remain fully accountable for the integrity and accuracy of their work.

Scifiniti Publishing strongly adheres to the industry best practices and in accordance with the COPE statement regarding the use of AI in manuscripts. AI tools, including but not limited to large language models (LLMs), image generators, translation/writing assistants cannot take responsibility for submitted work, declare conflicts of interest, or manage copyright and licensing agreements, and therefore cannot be listed as authors.

Guidelines for AI Use

a): AI as Assistance Only

AI tools may support manuscript preparation, research synthesis, or writing tasks. However, all AI-generated content must be thoroughly checked, validated, and revised by the authors. The final manuscript must reflect the authors’ own ideas, analysis, and interpretations. AI cannot replace human critical thinking or scholarly judgment.

b): Accountability

Authors are fully responsible for their work. This includes:

1. Accuracy and reliability: Verifying all AI-generated content, including references and sources, as AI may produce errors or fabricated information.
2. Original contribution: Ensuring the manuscript represents the authors’ authentic ideas, insights, and analysis.
3. Transparency: Clearly disclosing any AI-assisted work to maintain trust with editors, reviewers, and readers.

c): Editing and Adaptation

AI-generated material must be carefully adapted to reflect the authors’ own analysis, interpretations, and expertise. The final manuscript should demonstrate the authors’ intellectual contribution, rather than reliance on AI outputs.

d): Responsible Use and Data Privacy

Authors must use AI tools responsibly and ethically, ensuring compliance with data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal requirements. Before using any AI tool, authors should:

• Review the tool’s terms and conditions, including rights over submitted data and outputs.
• Ensure no personally identifiable information, unpublished manuscript content, or copyrighted material is misused.
• Confirm that AI-generated images, figures, or other media comply with copyright, privacy, and ethical standards, avoiding likenesses of individuals, brands, or protected works.
• Check AI outputs for factual accuracy, potential bias, or ethical concerns.

e): Disclosure

The use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed either:

• In a separate AI Declaration section in the manuscript.
• Acknowledgements, or Materials and Methods section.

Authors should document:

• The name of the AI tool used.
• The purpose of its use.
• The extent of human oversight applied.

Routine grammar, spelling, or formatting corrections performed by AI do not require disclosure.

f): Authorship

AI tools cannot be credited as authors, as they cannot assume responsibility, approve the final manuscript, declare conflicts of interest, or manage copyright and licensing matters. Authorship is reserved for humans who can take full accountability for the work.

g):  Ethics and Integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring the transparency, originality, and integrity of their work, including AI-assisted content. Manuscripts must comply with publication ethics, including plagiarism, originality, and data integrity standards.

h): Peer Review and Safeguards

If involved in peer review, authors and reviewers must ensure that manuscripts or unpublished content are not uploaded into AI tools without proper safeguards.

Generative AI images

Scifiniti Publishing recognizes the growing role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in creating visual content and is committed to ensuring transparency, research integrity, and ethical compliance in all submissions. AI-generated images may be used only for illustrative purposes, such as:

• Graphical abstracts or visual summaries
• Conceptual or schematic illustrations
• Educational or explanatory diagrams

These images must not represent primary research data or experimental findings. Their purpose is to enhance comprehension and visualization, not to substitute for authentic experimental results.

AI-generated images must never be used to:

• Depict experimental or clinical data (e.g., microscopy, radiology, spectra, gels, or blots)
• Fabricate, manipulate, or alter research findings
• Mislead readers regarding the origin, authenticity, or accuracy of the data

Authors remain fully responsible for the integrity, reproducibility, and accuracy of all content submitted.

When AI-generated images are included, authors must provide a clear disclosure stating:

• The AI tool used, including name and version
• The purpose of the AI-generated image
• Confirmation that the image has been reviewed and validated by the authors

In addition to the above declaration, any AI-generated or AI-assisted image must be labeled in the caption as “AI-generated/AI-assisted image.”

Authors are responsible for ensuring:

• They hold the rights to publish AI-generated images
• The AI tool’s licensing terms permit commercial academic publication
• The images do not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights
• If the AI-generated image incorporates copyrighted material and the author cannot provide permission, Scifiniti Publishing may request that the author replace the image with an alternative

Scifiniti Publishing assumes no liability for copyright disputes arising from improper use of AI-generated content. The editorial office reserves the right to:

• Reject AI-generated images at its discretion
• Request original files or evidence of human review
• Ensure compliance with this policy at any stage of submission or publication

If the editorial office identifies concerns regarding potential AI-generated images, the authors will be notified and given an opportunity to respond and provide clarification before any further action is taken.

3. Plagiarism

Plagiarism, the act of using someone else's work without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited within Scifiniti Publishing guidelines. Authors are strongly advised to submit only original manuscripts, ensuring that their work is a genuine contribution to the academic discourse.

Scifiniti Publishing employs  Crossref Similarity Check (powered by iThenticate) to uphold the integrity of the peer review process. This meticulously examines submitted manuscripts for any instances of plagiarism. If plagiarism is identified during the peer review process, the manuscript will be subject to further evaluation. The decision on whether to reject the manuscript outright or request revisions will be made after a comprehensive content assessment, rather than a mere percentage review.

It is essential to note that if plagiarism is detected after publication, it may result in the retraction of the manuscript. Authors are, therefore, strongly urged to diligently check their manuscripts using any reputable plagiarism detection tool before submission. This precautionary measure aims to prevent rejection due to similarities in content and ensures the scholarly integrity of the publications associated with Scifiniti Publishing.

Scifiniti Publishing strictly follows COPE guidelines to deal with cases of plagiarism.

• Plagiarism in a submitted manuscript [View Protocol Flowchart]
• Plagiarism in a published article [View Protocol Flowchart]

4. Redundant Publication

Scifiniti Publishing does not allow simultaneous or concurrent submission, or redundant/duplicate publication. Simultaneous or concurrent submission occurs when the same manuscript, in whole or in substantial part, is submitted to two or more journals, conference proceedings, or publishing platforms at the same time. Redundant or duplicate publication occurs when the same or substantially similar work is published more than once without proper disclosure, citation, or justification. Both practices are strictly prohibited as they misuse editorial and peer-review resources and can create confusion in the scholarly record.

Authors must ensure that any manuscript submitted to Scifiniti Publishing is original, has not been previously published in a peer-reviewed journal, and is not under evaluation elsewhere. During submission, authors are required to disclose any related materials, overlapping datasets, analyses, or results, as well as any preprints, conference abstracts, or preliminary reports related to the work. Authors should specifically disclose:

• Any manuscripts submitted to or published in other journals.
• Any overlapping datasets, analyses, or results previously published.
• Any preprint versions, including DOI or link where available.
• Any conference abstracts, presentations, or preliminary reports associated with the work.

Manuscripts previously posted as preprints are acceptable if they represent only a preliminary version and have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Authors must disclose the preprint and provide a DOI or link, and are encouraged to update the preprint record with a link to the final published article. Work derived from academic theses or dissertations is acceptable if clearly acknowledged in the manuscript, with a reference or link to the thesis if publicly accessible. Manuscripts based on conference papers are allowed only if substantially extended and improved, including additional data, expanded analyses, further experiments, or significant revisions to methodology, results, or discussion. Authors must cite the original conference paper, confirm permission from the conference organizer or publisher, and provide DOI or link where available.

Authors must also avoid self-plagiarism or text recycling, meaning that substantial reuse of previously published text even from their own work is not allowed without proper citation or, when required, permission from the original publisher. Minor overlap in methods or background sections may be acceptable if clearly referenced. Suspected cases of simultaneous submission, redundant publication, or self-plagiarism are handled in accordance with COPE guidance on:

• Handling concurrent submissions
• Redundant (Duplicate) Publication
• Self-Plagiarism

The editorial office may contact authors for clarification and determine whether the manuscript can proceed or should be rejected. Failure to disclose prior submissions or previously published material may result in rejection.

If issues are identified after publication, corrective actions may include correction notices or retraction, in accordance with COPE guidelines. Please see Scifiniti Publishing Policy on Post Publication Corrections. In cases of serious or repeated ethical violations, the journal may notify the authors’ institutions or affiliated organizations.

To provide a practical overview, the following flowcharts summarize how Scifiniti Publishing handles cases of redundant or duplicate publication both during submission and after publication, in alignment with COPE guidelines:

• Redundant (duplicate) publication in a submitted manuscript
• Redundant (duplicate) publication in a published article

These flowcharts illustrate the steps taken by the editorial office, including detection of overlap, communication with authors, and decisions regarding revision, rejection, correction, or retraction. Linking these flowcharts with COPE guidance ensures that authors understand both the policy requirements and the procedures followed to maintain ethical publishing standards.

5. Image Manipulation

Scifiniti Publishing requires that all image files submitted with manuscripts remain unaltered except for minimal adjustments that do not change the scientific meaning or interpretation of the original data. Acceptable adjustments include minor changes to brightness, contrast, or color balance solely to enhance visibility, provided that they do not obscure, enhance, or eliminate any data.

Inappropriate or irregular modifications include:

• Altering, introducing, enhancing, or removing any features from the original image.
• Combining images that should be presented separately, such as different parts of the same gel or images from different gels, without clear disclosure.
• Adjusting contrast, brightness, or color balance in ways that could misrepresent or distort information.

Authors must ensure that all images, including those sourced from third-party publications or datasets, are properly credited, and any reuse complies with copyright or publisher permissions.

If concerns about undeclared or inappropriate image modifications arise during manuscript processing or after publication, the editorial office will investigate. Authors may be requested to provide original, unprocessed image data. If these data are unavailable, the peer review process may be paused until the issue is resolved.

Consequences for confirmed irregular image manipulation include:

• During peer review:Manuscript may be rejected or require correction before publication.
• After publication:The publisher may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, in accordance with COPE guidelines, and the matter may be referred to the authors’ institutions if necessary.

All investigations follow ethical publishing standards, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The handling editor will recuse themselves in cases where a conflict of interest exists, ensuring transparency and impartiality throughout the process. 

Inappropriate image manipulation in a published article is dealt with as per the COPE guidelines [View Flow Chart]

6. Data Fabrication and Falsification

Data fabrication and falsification are serious ethical violations that undermine Scifiniti Publishing commitment to scientific integrity.

• Data Fabrication: The deliberate creation of data or results that do not exist, without conducting legitimate experiments or observations.
• Data Falsification: Manipulating or altering genuine data to misrepresent research findings. Examples include altering experimental results, manipulating images, selectively omitting data points, or modifying datasets to support hypotheses.

Both practices compromise the reliability and reproducibility of scientific research and may have significant consequences for the authors, the journal, and the broader scientific community.

Authors are expected to ensure that all data presented are accurate, complete, and honestly reported. Any form of intentional fabrication or falsification is strictly prohibited.

Suspected cases of data fabrication or falsification are handled in accordance with COPE guidelines, including:

• Fabricated data in submitted manuscripts: The editorial office may request original data or raw records to verify authenticity. Manuscripts found to contain fabricated data may be rejected.
• Fabricated or falsified data in published manuscripts: The journal may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions, and may notify the authors’ institutions.

Authors are strongly advised to exercise diligence and maintain accurate records of all research data, including images, datasets, and experimental logs. Where applicable, authors must obtain proper permissions for previously published data reused in their work.

Scifiniti handles data fabrication cases in accordance with COPE’s recommended procedures. Below are the flowcharts outlining how these cases are handled before and after publication.

• Fabricated Data in a Submitted Manuscript
• Fabricated Data in a Published Manuscript

This section should be read in conjunction with Scifiniti Publishing policies on plagiarism, image manipulation, and redundant publication, as these issues are often interrelated.

7. Conflicts of Interest

As a scientific publisher, we maintain a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, and transparency in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. We recognize the importance of managing potential conflicts of interest to safeguard the integrity of the research and scholarly content we publish. Authors are strongly recommended to disclose any potential conflict of interest in their manuscripts under the section “Conflicts of Interest”.

Examples of Financial Conflicts of Interest

• Employment or Voluntary Engagement.
• Partnerships with Advocacy Organizations on Article Content.
• Research Grants from Funding Entities (author or organization recipients).
• Compensation, including Honoraria, Royalties, Consulting Fees, Lecture Fees, or Testimonies received by authors.
• Patents, including pending applications, held by authors, their institutions, funding bodies, or licensed to any entity, with or without royalty earnings.
• Royalty Income for authors or their affiliated institutions.
• Travel allowances.
• Ownership of Stocks or Shares.
• Paid Lectures.

Examples of Non-Financial Conflict of Interest

• Personal, Political, Religious, Ideological, Academic, or Intellectual Conflicts of Interest.
• Engagement in Legal Proceedings related to the research or its outcomes.
• Academic competition.

Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

Scifiniti Publishing follows COPE’s recommendation to deal with undisclosed conflict of interest cases before or after the publication.

• Undisclosed conflict of interest in a submitted article (View COPE guidelines).
• Undisclosed conflict of interest in a published article (View COPE guidelines).

8. Research Ethics Compliance

Research Involving Human

When documenting research that involves human subjects, human materials, human tissues, or human data, it is imperative for authors to state that the research adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975 (revised in 2024). More information about the Declaration of Helsinki can be found at https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/.

According to point 23 of this declaration, “The research protocol must be submitted for consideration, comment, guidance, and approval to the concerned research ethics committee before the study begins. This committee must be transparent in its functioning, must be independent of the researcher, the sponsor, and any other undue influence, and must be duly qualified. It must take into consideration the laws and regulations of the country or countries in which the research is to be performed as well as applicable international norms and standards but these must not be allowed to reduce or eliminate any of the protections for research subjects set forth in this Declaration.

The committee must have the right to monitor ongoing studies. The researcher must provide monitoring information to the committee, especially information about any serious adverse events. No amendment to the protocol may be made without consideration and approval by the committee. After the end of the study, the researchers must submit a final report to the committee containing a summary of the study’s findings and conclusions.”

Authors are recommended to provide a separate section for Human rights and mention clearly that research has been conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki, along with the identification code and name of the Ethics Committee that has approved the protocol.

Research Involving Animals

We expect authors should follow the Animal Use Alternatives (3Rs) model while conducting any research that requires the use of animals. These new scientific approaches proposed by Drs. William Russell and Rex Burch, help to minimize to maintain scientific integrity by reducing the pain and distress of research animals.

We recommend authors follow the “Basel Declaration” which summarizes essential principles to follow when conducting research in animals. The International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) has also published ethical guidelines that could help authors protect animal rights while conducting any research.

Authors are required to explicitly mention the name of the approval committee and reference number in their manuscript, emphasizing that they obtained both legal and ethical approval before commencing the research involving animals. Additionally, the authors must affirm that the experiments were conducted in strict adherence to the guidelines outlined below.

If ethical approval is exempted from any committee then this should also be clearly mentioned in the manuscripts along with the name of the committee that grants exemption.

Scifiniti Publishing recommends authors use ARRIVE guidelines for reporting research involving animals.  Reviewers are also recommended to use CHECKLIST while reviewing a manuscript and provide their recommendations if the research is not in compliance with any of the points mentioned in the checklist.

For in vivo experiments, visit https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/arrive-guidelines

Research Involving Plants

Experimental research on plants must be conducted in compliance with relevant guidelines published by the IUCN Policy Statement on Research Involving Species at Risk of Extinction, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Authors are advised to provide ethical statements including the name and source of the plant used during research. 

Example: Solanum tubersum was used in conducting research which was provided by Dr. (XYZ), affiliation, City, Country.

To support reproducibility, voucher specimens of rare and non-model plants must be deposited in a publicly accessible herbarium, public museum or another public repository. These vouchers should include documentation of specific parts of the plants which are used in the research, details of the geographical coordinates of the collection site and the collection date.

Research Involving Cell Lines

If a research involves the use of cell lines then authors should mention the origin in the methods sections of their manuscript. If an author has used established cell lines then the source and reference of the published article should be mentioned. For previously unpublished de novo cell lines, details of the ethical committee and approval should be mentioned in the manuscript. Informed consent must be taken in cases where human cell lines are used.

Example: The HaCaT cell lines were provided by XYZ    

For misidentification and contamination of human cell lines, please International Cell Line Authentication Committee (ICLAC) and NCBI database.

For use, ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation should be followed for reporting experiments on human embryos, gametes and embryonic stem cells.

9. Consent for Publication

If authors have used details, images, or videos of a person, then written consent from the relevant individual must also be taken to publish under Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. If an individual is under 18 then parents or legal guardians must be contacted for their consent to publish data. Personal identifiers, such as names, initials, or hospital numbers, should not be disclosed in the manuscript unless it is indispensable for scientific purposes.

In cases where an individual has passed away, it is necessary to seek consent for publication from their immediate family or next of kin. The manuscript should incorporate a declaration confirming that written informed consent for publication has been secured.

Unidentified Images

For unidentified images like X-rays, ultrasound images, etc., no consent for publication is needed.

For further details, ICMJE recommendations for “Protection of Research Participants”.

10. Trial Registration

Scifiniti Publishing strongly recommends its authors follow ICMJE's recommendations for registration of clinical trials in a public trials registry. They are also recommended to cite it as a reference in their manuscript. 

According to WHO “a clinical trial is any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes. Clinical trials may also be referred to as interventional trials. Interventions include but are not restricted to drugs, cells and other biological products, surgical procedures, radiologic procedures, devices, behavioural treatments, process-of-care changes, preventive care, etc.” This definition includes Phase I to Phase IV trials."

In line with the position of ICMJE, Scifiniti Publishing strongly encourages authors to include a statement in their manuscript that the results are unpublished in a peer-reviewed journal; this information can however be updated as results are published.  

Scifiniti Publishing recommends CONSORT for randomised controlled trials; authors submit CONSORT checklist and Protocol Flow Diagram during manuscript submission.

11. Sex and Gender in Research (SAGER)

Authors are advised to follow ‘Sex and Gender Equity in Research – SAGER – guidelines’. Authors should ensure that the terms sex (referring to a biological attribute) and gender (influenced by social and cultural factors) are used carefully in order to avoid confusion in the two terms. In the introduction, authors should consider discussing the potential presence of sex and/or gender differences. Furthermore, they should detail the methods used to address sex and/or gender in the study's design and present data separated by sex and/or gender when it is relevant. Authors should also analyze and present results specific to each sex and/or gender group. If the study did not include a sex and/or gender analysis, the authors should provide a justification in the discussion. We recommend that our authors refer to the comprehensive guidelines before submitting their work.

12. Reporting Guidelines

Some manuscripts may have specific reporting requirements depending on the study type. Authors should specify which reporting guidelines they have followed during submission, and reviewers should verify compliance and report any deviations. Recommended guidelines include:

• Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) - Recommended for randomised controlled trials (Download checklist)
• TREND - Recommended for non-randomised trials (Download checklist)
• PRISMA - Recommended to follow for systematic review and meta-analyses (Download checklist).
• CARE - Recommended to use for case reports
• STROBE - Recommended for Observational studies
• STREGA - Recommended for studies of genetic association
• STARD and TRIPOD - Recommended for diagnostic accuracy studies
• COREQ - Recommended for qualitative research
• ARRIVE - Recommended to improve reporting of research using  animal experiments
• EQUATOR - Assist authors, editors and peer reviewers in finding the most appropriate checklist and reporting guideline.

13. Data Sharing & Reproducibility

At Scifiniti Publishing, we support the principles of open science, transparency, and reproducibility. Making research data and materials accessible where possible enhances verification, reuse, and trust in published work. This section provides guidance for authors on preparing, sharing, and describing data and related research materials as part of manuscript submission.

Data Availability Statement

All research and synthesis-based articles should include a separate section titled “Availability of Data and Materials” that clearly states how data supporting the work can be accessed. This statement should appear in the manuscript regardless of whether data are shared. Authors should indicate one of the following:

Type	Example Statement
Data publicly available	The data supporting the findings of this study are openly available in [Repository Name] at [DOI/URL].
Data available on request	The data supporting this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request due to ethical, legal, or privacy restrictions.
Data in supplementary files	Data supporting the findings of this study are included in the supplementary material.
No data generated	No new datasets were generated or analyzed in this study; data sharing is not applicable.

Authors are recommended to share, where feasible:

• Raw and processed datasets
• Computational code, scripts, and algorithms
• Models and software used in analysis
• Experimental protocols, study materials, and metadata
• Documentation sufficient to reproduce reported results

When data are restricted (e.g., human subjects, confidential information), a clear justification should be provided.

Reproducibility Guidance

To enable other researchers to repeat your work and achieve the same results, authors should:

• Describe methods clearly: Provide detailed explanations of experiments, procedures, or analysis steps.
• Share data, code, and workflows: Upload datasets, scripts, and software to trusted repositories (e.g., Zenodo, GitHub with Zenodo DOI). Code should be well-documented and, where possible, include an open-source license.
• Provide reproducibility instructions: Include metadata, file descriptions, and step-by-step instructions or example scripts to reproduce analyses or experiments.

Recommended Repositories

Authors are strongly encouraged to deposit data in open access repositories to ensure datasets are widely accessible and reusable. Trusted repositories:

• Provide persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs)
• Support long-term preservation
• Facilitate FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles

Public resources for identifying suitable repositories include re3data.org and fairsharing.org.

Data Retention and Licensing

• Authors are recommended to retain data for a minimum of five years after publication or as specified by funding or institutional policies.
• Where possible, datasets and code should be licensed for open use (e.g., CC BY for data, MIT/GPL for code).

Ethical Considerations for Data Sharing

Research Involving Human Subjects

Some research data involving people cannot be shared publicly due to privacy risks. However, even highly sensitive information may be shared ethically and legally if proper precautions are taken. Authors should follow these principles:

1. Obtain informed consent
   • Participants must be informed about how their data will be used and shared, both immediately and in the future.
   • Consent must be explicit; lack of response does not imply agreement.
   • Data sharing must be consistent with the terms of consent provided by participants.
   • Consult your institutional ethics committee for guidance.
2. Anonymize data to protect identities
   Authors should remove or mask any information that could identify participants. Best practices include:
   • Removing names, addresses, workplaces, or other personal identifiers.
   • Generalizing or replacing precise information (e.g., use age instead of date of birth).
   • Using pseudonyms where appropriate.
   • Avoiding the release of outliers that could reveal identities.
   • Carefully handling relational or geo-referenced data.
   • Consider anonymization strategies while collecting data.
     
3. Control access to sensitive data
   • Data should be “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
   • Sensitive data may be shared only with verified third parties under controlled access.
   • Trusted repositories that support restricted access include Figshare, Zenodo, and OSF.

Situations Where Data Should Not Be Shared

Some data should never be shared publicly due to legal, ethical, or safety concerns:

• Data that could identify individuals without consent.
• Data not owned by the author without explicit permission from the owner.
• Commercially sensitive or legally protected data.
• Data that poses security risks or is involved in legal proceedings.
• Data revealing locations of threatened species or sensitive ecological information.

If data cannot be shared, the Data Availability Statement must clearly state the restriction and provide a rationale.

Data Citation

Authors are recommended to cite any datasets or resources they share, ensuring proper credit and reusability. Each citation should include a persistent identifier such as a DOI.

Example:

Author A, Author B. Dataset for [Study Title]. [Repository Name]. Version 1. DOI: [DOI number]

14. Publication Ethics Advisors

Our Advisory Board members assist in addressing and resolving various aspects pertaining to research ethics and potential publication misconduct.

15. Intellectual Property Policy

The journal upholds and safeguards intellectual property rights for all submitted and published works. This policy applies to all authors, editors, and contributors.

Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their work unless otherwise specified under the journal’s copyright or licensing agreement. For comprehensive information on copyright ownership, rights granted to the journal, and available licensing options. Please refer to the Copyright Policy  for details on permissions for reproduction.

Originality and Ethical Use

All submissions must be original and appropriately cite any prior work. For detailed guidance on plagiarism, duplicate publication, and the ethical use of content, please refer to the Plagiarism Policy section.

Third-Party Content

Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions and providing proper attribution for any third-party material included in their submissions. For detailed information on permissions for reproduction, please refer to the Copyright Policy.

Data and Supplementary Materials

Authors retain ownership of underlying data and supplementary materials, in accordance with the journal’s sharing and archiving guidelines.

Publisher Rights

The journal and publisher may archive, index, and reuse published content for research, educational, and promotional purposes, in accordance with the copyright agreement. For detailed information on licensing terms and permissions. Please refer to the Copyright Policy for details on licensing terms and permissions.

Intellectual Property Disputes

Disputes regarding authorship, copyright, or ownership will be addressed in accordance with the journal’s standard procedures, with final authority vested in the Editor-in-Chief.