Ethics Statement for the Thailand Natural History Museum Journal

The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in scientific research and publication. We recognize the significance of ethical considerations in advancing knowledge and promoting the welfare of individuals and society as a whole. As such, we have established the following principles to guide our authors, reviewers, editors, and readers:

1. Integrity and Honesty: We expect all parties involved in the research and publication process to uphold the principles of integrity and honesty. Authors should present their work accurately, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism. Reviewers and editors should provide objective and fair assessments, avoiding any conflicts of interest or bias.

2. Research Ethics: Authors must adhere to internationally accepted guidelines and regulations concerning research involving animals or any other sensitive areas. The rights, privacy, and dignity of individuals participating in studies must be respected. Animal research should follow ethical standards, ensuring the humane treatment and minimizing any potential harm or suffering.

3. Informed Consent and Privacy: Authors should obtain informed consent from research participants and respect their right to privacy. Identifying information should be safeguarded, and confidentiality should be maintained unless explicit permission has been obtained.

4. Conflicts of Interest: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the objectivity or integrity of the research or publication process. Financial, personal, or professional conflicts that may influence decision-making should be declared transparently.

5. Authorship and Acknowledgments: All individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be acknowledged as authors. Ghostwriting and guest authorship are strictly prohibited. Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship but have provided support or assistance should be acknowledged appropriately.

6. Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication: Authors should ensure that their work is original and properly cited. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is unacceptable. Simultaneous submission or publication of the same research in multiple journals is considered redundant and unethical.

7. Corrections and Retractions: The journal will promptly investigate and address any concerns regarding the validity or integrity of published articles. Corrections, clarifications, or retractions will be issued when necessary to rectify errors or misleading information.

8. Editorial Independence: The journal's editorial decisions will be based solely on the scientific merit of the research and its relevance to the field. Editors will strive to avoid any biases based on factors such as race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliations.

9. Transparency and Open Science: We encourage authors to make their data, methods, and materials openly available, whenever possible, to promote transparency and reproducibility.

Pre-registration of study protocols and sharing of raw data are encouraged to foster scientific collaboration and scrutiny.

10. Continuous Improvement: The journal is committed to regularly reviewing and improving its ethical policies and practices. We welcome feedback from the scientific community and the public to ensure our adherence to the highest ethical standards.

11. Journal Shopping:

Journal shopping refers to the practice of submitting research manuscripts to multiple journals simultaneously or sequentially, with the intention of maximizing the chances of publication. This behavior undermines the integrity of the scientific publishing process and raises ethical concerns. At [Journal Name], we strongly discourage and condemn journal shopping, as it compromises the principles of fairness, transparency, and scholarly collaboration.

Authors should carefully select a journal that aligns with the scope and aims of their research. Instead of submitting manuscripts to multiple journals at once, authors are encouraged to thoroughly evaluate the guidelines, scope, and editorial policies of potential journals before making a submission. This approach ensures that the research is submitted to a journal that is the best fit and increases the likelihood of a constructive and fair peer review process.

Engaging in journal shopping not only wastes valuable resources and time for both authors and editors but also hinders the timely dissemination of scientific knowledge. It can lead to unnecessary delays, conflicting reviews, and inconsistencies in the publication process. Moreover, it places an undue burden on the peer review system, as multiple journals may unknowingly invest time and effort in reviewing the same manuscript simultaneously.

To promote responsible publishing practices and discourage journal shopping, The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal supports the following measures:

a. Transparency and Disclosure: Authors are expected to disclose any previous submission or publication history of their manuscript to avoid duplicative efforts and potential conflicts of interest. This information helps editors and reviewers make informed decisions and ensures transparency throughout the publication process.

b. Ethical Considerations: Authors should prioritize ethical conduct by adhering to the highest standards of research integrity, including proper citation and avoiding plagiarism. Engaging in journal shopping undermines these principles and damages the credibility of the scientific community.

c. Communication and Cooperation: Authors should communicate openly with journal editors about the submission process and any potential concerns or issues that may arise. Engaging in constructive dialogue helps build trust and allows for better collaboration between authors and editors.

d. Researcher Education: Journals should strive to educate authors about responsible publishing practices, including the negative consequences of journal shopping. Providing guidelines and resources on manuscript submission, journal selection, and ethical considerations can help authors make informed decisions and avoid unethical practices.

At The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal, we are committed to maintaining a fair and transparent publication process. We actively discourage journal shopping and rely on the cooperation and responsible behavior of authors, reviewers, and editors to uphold the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing.

By adhering to these ethics guidelines, we aim to foster a scientific community that values integrity, accountability, and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity.