Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement

The International Journal of Holistic Research Paradigms (IJHR) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. All authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere strictly to the ethical principles outlined below.

1. Publishing Ethics Compliance

Authors must comply with the Journal’s Publishing Ethics Policy. Submissions must reflect honesty in research conduct, accurate reporting of results, proper acknowledgment of sources, and respect for intellectual property. The journal reserves the right to screen manuscripts using plagiarism-detection and policy-compliance tools to verify originality and ethical adherence.

2. Submission Declaration

By submitting a manuscript to IJHR, authors confirm that:

  • The work has not been previously published, except in the form of a preprint, abstract, academic thesis, lecture, or registered report.
  • The manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
  • All listed authors have approved the submission.
  • Necessary institutional or regulatory approvals have been obtained where applicable.
  • If accepted, the manuscript will not be published elsewhere in the same form or language without written permission from the copyright holder.

Any instance of duplicate, redundant, or concurrent publication may result in rejection or retraction.

3. Authorship Criteria

All authors must have made substantial contributions to:

  • The conception and design of the study, or data acquisition, or analysis and interpretation of data.
  • Drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for significant intellectual content.
  • Final approval of the version submitted.

Authors must designate one corresponding author responsible for communication during the editorial process. All authors share accountability for the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the published work.

4. Changes to Authorship

Authorship changes after submission are strongly discouraged. Authors must ensure the accuracy and order of the author list at the time of initial submission.

Policy on Authorship Changes:

  • All authors must be listed in the manuscript and submission system.
  • Any addition, removal, or rearrangement of authors must be requested before acceptance and approved by the Editor.
  • Requests must be submitted by the corresponding author with a clear justification and written consent from all authors involved.
  • Changes after acceptance will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
  • Publication may be suspended while authorship changes are reviewed.
  • Approved changes after publication will result in a formal corrigendum.
  • Unauthorized authorship alterations may lead to rejection or retraction.

5. Editorial Integrity

The editorial team evaluates manuscripts solely on academic merit, originality, relevance, and ethical compliance. Confidentiality of submissions and fairness in peer review are strictly maintained. IJHR upholds ethical publishing not merely as a procedural requirement, but as a foundational commitment to credible, responsible, and globally respected scholarship.

Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies

The International Journal of Holistic Research Paradigms (IJHR) recognizes the transformative potential of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies when used responsibly and ethically. AI tools may support researchers in improving efficiency, synthesizing literature, identifying research gaps, structuring manuscripts, and enhancing clarity of language. However, such tools must never replace human intellectual judgment, scholarly expertise, or critical evaluation.

1. Responsible Use of AI Tools

Authors may use generative AI tools to assist in manuscript preparation. However:

  • AI must only be used as a supportive instrument, not as a substitute for human reasoning and analysis.
  • Authors must exercise full human oversight, review, and control over all AI-generated outputs.
  • The final manuscript must reflect the author’s original interpretation, insight, and scholarly contribution.

2. Author Accountability

Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for:

  • Verifying the accuracy, completeness, and neutrality of all AI-generated content.
  • Carefully checking references, citations, and data, as AI-generated references may be incorrect or fabricated.
  • Editing and refining AI-assisted content to ensure originality and academic integrity.
  • Safeguarding data privacy, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality by reviewing the terms of any AI tool used.

AI tools must not be listed or credited as authors or co-authors, as authorship carries responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by human contributors.

3. Mandatory Disclosure Requirement

If generative AI tools are used during manuscript preparation, authors must include a declaration at the time of submission.

A new section must be added before the References titled:

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Manuscript Preparation Process

Example Statement:
“During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [Name of Tool/Service] to assist with [specific purpose]. The author(s) carefully reviewed and edited the content and take full responsibility for the final published article.”

This declaration will appear in the published article.

No statement is required for the use of basic tools such as grammar or spell-check software.

4. Policy for Reviewers and Editors

To protect author rights and maintain confidentiality, IJHR currently does not permit reviewers or editors to use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the peer-review and evaluation process. All editorial decisions must be based solely on independent human expertise and judgment. IJHR encourages innovation in research practices while safeguarding academic integrity, transparency, and ethical responsibility in scholarly publishing.