Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement

NAVĀRNAVA is committed to the highest standards of publication integrity. Our policies draw on the Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and apply to every journal published under the NAVĀRNAVA banner.

All parties involved in the act of publishing — authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher — are expected to observe these standards of ethical behaviour.

Duties of authors

Originality and plagiarism

Authors must submit only original work. Where the work or words of others are used, they must be appropriately cited and quoted. Plagiarism in any form — including self-plagiarism and redundant publication — is unethical and unacceptable. Every submission is screened for similarity.

Similarity threshold to be confirmed (commonly ≤10% excluding references and quoted matter).

Authorship

Authorship is limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the work. All such contributors must be listed as co-authors, and all co-authors must approve the final version and its submission for publication.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Authors must disclose any financial or other substantive conflict of interest that might influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript, and must acknowledge all sources of funding.

Data integrity and fundamental errors

Authors are expected to retain accurate records and, where a significant error is discovered after publication, to notify the editor promptly and cooperate in issuing a correction or retraction.

Duties of reviewers

• Confidentiality. Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents and must not be shown to or discussed with others.
• Objectivity. Reviews should be conducted objectively, with observations formulated clearly and supported by reasoning so authors can improve the work. Personal criticism is inappropriate.
• Promptness. A reviewer who cannot complete a review in the stipulated time should notify the editor and withdraw.
• Conflicts of interest. Reviewers must decline manuscripts in which they have a competing interest arising from relationships with any of the authors or institutions connected to the work.

Duties of editors

• Decision-making. Editors are responsible for deciding which submissions are published, based solely on academic merit and relevance, free from discrimination.
• Fair play. Manuscripts are evaluated for intellectual content without regard to the authors’ race, gender, religion, citizenship, or political philosophy.
• Confidentiality. Editors must protect the confidentiality of all submitted material and reviewer identities under the double-blind model.
• Integrity. Editors will guard against publication misconduct and will investigate reported concerns, taking corrective action where warranted.

Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern

Where errors or misconduct are identified after publication, NAVĀRNAVA will publish corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern in line with COPE guidance, preserving the integrity of the scholarly record.

Complaints and appeals

Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision or raise a complaint should write to the journal’s editorial office with a detailed, reasoned statement. Appeals are considered by the Editor-in-Chief, whose decision is final.

Editorial office contact for appeals to be confirmed on the Contact page.

Allegations of misconduct

Credible allegations of research or publication misconduct will be investigated diligently and confidentially, with the author given an opportunity to respond, following the relevant COPE flowchart.