Publication Ethics and Misconduct

The Journal of Geothermal Research and Volcanology (JoGRaV) is a peer-reviewed journal committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board members, peer reviewers, and the publisher. This policy is based on the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Guidelines for Journal Publication Ethics

Articles published in JoGRaV contribute to the advancement of geothermal sciences, volcanology, and interdisciplinary Earth system research. Peer-reviewed publications reflect the quality, credibility, and integrity of the scientific work conducted by authors and their supporting institutions.

The publisher and editorial team of JoGRaV take their responsibility seriously in safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record. Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by commercial, advertising, or financial interests.

Alleged Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism)

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Image manipulation

  • Improper citation practices or citation manipulation

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

If misconduct is suspected in a submitted or published manuscript, the Editors will follow COPE guidelines in investigating the case. Actions may include requesting clarification from authors, rejecting the manuscript, issuing corrections, publishing expressions of concern, or retracting published articles when necessary. The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the scientific record.

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication. Decisions are based on:

  • Scientific merit and originality

  • Relevance to the journal’s scope

  • Clarity and methodological rigor

  • Reviewer evaluations

  • Ethical compliance

All decisions are made without discrimination and in accordance with legal requirements concerning defamation, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.

Complaints and Appeals

JoGRaV provides a transparent procedure for handling complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions, ethical concerns, or misconduct. Complaints are processed following COPE recommendations. Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a detailed justification, which will be evaluated independently.

Post-Publication Discussion

The journal supports scholarly debate and constructive scientific dialogue. Post-publication discussions may be submitted as letters to the editor or commentary articles, subject to editorial review. Corrections or retractions will be issued when necessary to maintain academic integrity.

Fair Play

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on intellectual merit, scientific quality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Evaluation is conducted without regard to race, gender, nationality, religion, political beliefs, institutional affiliation, or personal characteristics of the authors.

Confidentiality

Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Information about a manuscript will not be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, editorial advisors, and publisher as appropriate.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors, reviewers, and authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the review or publication process.

  • Editors and reviewers must not use unpublished materials disclosed in submitted manuscripts for personal research without written consent.

  • Authors must declare any financial support, institutional affiliations, or relationships that may influence the interpretation of their research.

Data Sharing Policy

JoGRaV supports transparency and reproducibility in scientific research. Authors are encouraged to share supporting research data, including:

  • Raw and processed datasets

  • Codes, models, and algorithms

  • Experimental protocols

  • Supplementary materials

Data availability statements should be included in submitted manuscripts whenever applicable.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Reviewers assist editors in making publication decisions and provide constructive feedback to improve manuscript quality.

Competence and Availability
Reviewers should decline invitations if they lack appropriate expertise or cannot review within the required timeframe.

Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review must not be shared or discussed with others without editorial permission.

Objectivity
Reviews must be conducted objectively, supported by clear arguments and professional reasoning. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant work not cited by the authors and report suspected plagiarism or duplication.

Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must avoid reviewing manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards
Authors must present accurate, clear, and reproducible accounts of their research methods and findings.

Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted work must be original and properly cite relevant sources. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.

Multiple or Redundant Publication
Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to more than one journal or published elsewhere in substantially similar form.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper credit must be given to the work of others.

Authorship
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All co-authors must approve the final manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that may influence the research.

Errors in Published Work
If authors discover significant errors in published work, they must promptly notify the journal and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

Ethical Oversight
Research involving human subjects, animals, hazardous materials, or environmentally sensitive areas must comply with institutional, national, and international ethical standards and approvals.

Through these policies, the Journal of Geothermal Research and Volcanology (JoGRaV) is committed to maintaining transparency, integrity, and trust in scientific publishing, while promoting responsible and ethical research practices in geothermal and volcanic sciences.