Ethical Oversight

Introduction

The ethical integrity of research involving humans, animals, and sensitive data is a non-negotiable standard in scholarly publishing. The International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology (IJASEIT) is fully committed to upholding strict ethical oversight in all stages of research and publication. This policy ensures that studies published in IJASEIT adhere to internationally recognized ethical principles and comply with the COPE Core Practices and the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.

Description

Ethical oversight encompasses the full spectrum of research conduct, including:

  • Ethical treatment of human participants and animals

  • Proper use of confidential or sensitive data

  • Transparent consent procedures

  • Fair and inclusive research practices

  • Ethical compliance in business, marketing, and authorship practices

Researchers bear primary responsibility for ensuring that their studies comply with institutional, national, and international ethical standards. IJASEIT enforces this responsibility through rigorous editorial scrutiny and documented compliance.

Policy

1. Human Participants

All research involving human subjects must meet the following conditions:

  • Reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Research Ethics Committee (REC), or equivalent body

  • Conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and applicable national/international laws (e.g., GDPR for data privacy)

  • Include a clear statement in the manuscript indicating:

    • The name of the ethics committee

    • Approval number (where applicable)

    • Confirmation that participants gave informed consent

Informed Consent Requirements:

  • Authors must confirm that informed, written (or appropriately documented) consent was obtained from all participants

  • For minors or vulnerable populations, consent must be obtained from legal guardians

  • For studies involving anonymized data or secondary data analysis, the basis for exemption from consent must be explained

Sensitive Topics:

  • Studies addressing personal, health, or political data must describe data protection measures and anonymization protocols

2. Animal Research

Manuscripts reporting animal experiments must confirm that:

  • Approval was obtained from a recognized Animal Care and Use Committee

  • The research followed relevant national guidelines (e.g., ARRIVE guidelines)

  • Humane care and use of laboratory animals were maintained throughout

The manuscript must include:

  • The name of the ethics approval body

  • Protocol or permit number

  • Description of procedures used to minimize animal suffering

3. Use of Human Data or Tissues

  • Research involving human tissues, biological samples, or medical records requires documented ethics approval and consent for collection and use

  • For secondary use of archived materials, the manuscript must clarify ethical permissions or legal exemptions

  • Authors must describe storage, traceability, and privacy protection for all human-derived materials

4. Field Studies, Indigenous Knowledge, and Community Research

Authors must demonstrate respect for cultural practices and local consent protocols in studies involving:

  • Indigenous communities

  • Traditional ecological knowledge

  • Community-based participatory research

Documentation of ethical permissions, community consent, and benefit-sharing arrangements must be included where relevant.

5. Research Misconduct

Any research found to involve:

  • Fabrication or falsification of data

  • Misrepresentation of ethical approval

  • Unauthorized use of personal or sensitive information

will be rejected or retracted, and reported to the author’s institution or regulatory bodies.

6. Clinical Trials

  • Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized registry (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN)

  • Trial registration numbers must be included in the manuscript

  • Data sharing plans and participant consent processes must comply with international best practices

7. Publication Consent

For all case reports or identifiable data (photos, records), authors must confirm:

  • Written consent to publish has been obtained

  • Consent forms will be provided upon editorial request

8. Confidential Data and Privacy

  • IJASEIT requires full compliance with data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)

  • Personal identifiers must be removed or anonymized

  • Manuscripts using confidential datasets must explain restrictions and data protection methods

9. Ethical Business and Marketing Practices

  • IJASEIT does not accept advertising or partnerships that compromise editorial independence

  • Sponsorship of supplements or special issues must be disclosed

  • Editors and reviewers must be free from commercial influence

10. Editorial Oversight

  • The editorial team verifies ethical statements before acceptance

  • Submissions without documented ethical compliance are rejected

  • Editors may request raw data, consent forms, or ethics approval letters during peer review or post-publication

11. Non-Compliance and Sanctions

  • Misrepresentation or absence of ethical approval leads to immediate rejection or retraction

  • Repeat violations may result in submission bans and reporting to relevant bodies

12. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually or as needed to reflect updates in international ethical standards and COPE guidance.