Publication Ethics

Civil Engineering Dimension (CED) is a peer-reviewed international electronic journal. This document outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, the chief editor, the Editorial Board, peer reviewers, and the publisher (Petra Christian University). These guidelines adhere to COPE’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

 

ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR JOURNAL PUBLICATION

The publication of peer-reviewed articles is fundamental to developing a credible and respected body of knowledge. It reflects the quality of research by authors and their supporting institutions. Given the role of peer-reviewed journals in advancing scientific inquiry, all parties involved—authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers—must adhere to ethical standards.

Petra Christian University, as the publisher of Civil Engineering Dimension, takes its publishing responsibilities seriously. Editorial decisions remain independent of commercial interests, and the Department of Civil Engineering, along with the Editorial Board, facilitates communication with other journals and publishers when necessary.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Publication Decisions

The editor is responsible for deciding which submitted articles are published based on their academic merit, originality, and relevance. Editorial decisions adhere to the journal's policies and applicable legal standards concerning libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. Editors may consult with other editorial team members or reviewers when necessary.

Fair Play

Manuscripts are evaluated based on intellectual content, without discrimination regarding race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, citizenship, or political philosophy.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, sharing information only with relevant parties, including the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, editorial advisers, and the publisher.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Unpublished materials from submitted manuscripts must not be used in an editor’s own research without written consent from the author.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF REVIEWERS

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer reviewers assist the editor in making publication decisions and help authors improve their work through constructive feedback.

Timeliness

Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess a manuscript or unable to complete the review in a timely manner should notify the editor and withdraw from the review process.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with others without authorization from the editor.

Objectivity

Reviews should be objective and supported by clear arguments. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify any relevant work not cited by the authors. They should also report any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript and other published works.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

Information obtained during peer review must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage. Reviewers must decline manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORS

Reporting Standards

Authors should present an accurate and objective account of their research, ensuring sufficient detail for reproducibility. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements are unethical and unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention

Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review and should be prepared to make such data publicly available if required.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit only original work and properly cite any sources or references.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical and unacceptable.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper credit must be given to influential works relevant to the research.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have significantly contributed to the study. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have approved the final manuscript before submission.

Hazards and Ethical Considerations

If research involves hazardous materials, human participants, or animals, authors must clearly state any risks and confirm compliance with ethical standards.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest that could affect the interpretation of their work.

Corrections and Retractions

If authors identify significant errors in their published work, they must promptly inform the journal editor and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions as needed.

 

GENERATIVE AI POLICY FOR JOURNALS

Overview

As generative AI and AI-assisted tools continue to evolve, maintaining transparency and integrity in scientific publishing is crucial. This policy will be updated as AI technology advances.

 For Authors

  • AI tools may only be used for language enhancement, with human oversight. Authors remain fully responsible for their work.
  • AI must not be credited as an author or co-author.
  • Any use of AI in the writing process must be disclosed in a statement at the end of the manuscript.
  • AI-generated or AI-altered images are prohibited, unless explicitly part of the research methodology, with full disclosure in the methods section.

For Reviewers

  • Manuscripts must remain confidential and must not be uploaded to AI tools.
  • Review reports should be written without AI assistance.
  • AI must not be used to assess scientific content, as peer review requires human expertise and judgment.
  • AI tools may be used by the publisher for plagiarism checks and reviewer selection, ensuring strict confidentiality.

For Editors

  • Editors must not use AI tools for manuscript processing or communication.
  • AI must not influence editorial decisions, as these require human expertise.
  • Suspected violations of AI policies should be reported to the publisher.
  • AI tools may assist with administrative tasks, provided they comply with ethical and data privacy standards.

 

These ethical guidelines ensure the credibility, fairness, and transparency of Civil Engineering Dimension's publication process, upholding the integrity of scholarly research.