NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) confluence@niet.co.in
NJDTS

Editorial Policies

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) follows the COPE guidelines and maintains independent editorial decisions aligned with established policies.

Policies Index

1 Author Responsibilities 2 Appeals & Grievances 3 Citation Guidelines 4 Conflict of Interest 5 Corrections & Retractions 6 Data Transparency 7 Ethical Standards 8 AI Usage Policy

Author Responsibilities & Publication Ethics

Guidelines on authorship eligibility, contributor roles, disclosure obligations, research transparency, corresponding author responsibilities, affiliation amendments, confidentiality standards, and mechanisms for resolving authorship disputes.

1.1 Principles of Authorship

Purpose of the Policy

This policy defines the ethical standards governing authorship and outlines the responsibilities expected of contributors submitting manuscripts to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS).

Eligibility for Authorship

All individuals listed as authors must:

  • Approve the final version of the manuscript,
  • Consent to its submission and publication,
  • Obtain necessary institutional or organizational permissions before submission.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) recognizes disciplinary variations in authorship practices; however, in the absence of field-specific standards, authors are expected to satisfy the following widely accepted criteria:

  • Significant involvement in the conception, design, execution, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or software development related to the study;
  • Active participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for scholarly content;
  • Approval of the final manuscript before publication;
  • Acceptance of accountability for the integrity and accuracy of the work.

The journal encourages meaningful collaboration with local researchers and institutional partners where the research was conducted. Individuals whose contributions do not meet authorship thresholds should be acknowledged appropriately in the Acknowledgements section.

1.2 Ethical Declarations & Disclosures

To uphold transparency and research integrity, all authors are required to disclose:

  • Financial or non-financial funding support,
  • Potential competing or conflicting interests,
  • Ethical approval for studies involving human participants or animals,
  • Participant informed consent, where applicable,
  • Compliance with animal welfare regulations for animal-based studies.

These declarations are mandatory irrespective of the manuscript’s discipline or scope and are essential in maintaining ethical accountability in scholarly publishing.

1.3 Research Data Transparency

Authors are expected to maintain transparency regarding the data and materials underpinning their research findings. Data sets, software, codes, and supplementary materials should be accessible and reproducible wherever possible, in accordance with disciplinary standards and NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) data-sharing requirements outlined in the Instructions for Authors.

1.4 Duties of the Corresponding Author

Each manuscript must clearly designate one Corresponding Author responsible for:

  • Confirming author approval and authorship order before submission,
  • Coordinating communication between the journal and all co-authors,
  • Reporting any overlap with unpublished or previously disseminated material,
  • Ensuring inclusion of all ethical declarations, disclosures, and transparency statements.

Administrative responsibilities may be delegated during submission; however, the Corresponding Author must remain formally identified within the manuscript.

1.5 Contributor Roles & Author Contributions

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) promotes transparency in collaborative scholarship. Authors should include an Author Contributions Statement detailing individual roles, which may include:

  • Conceptualization,
  • Methodology,
  • Investigation,
  • Data analysis,
  • Writing and revision,
  • Supervision,
  • Funding acquisition.

The journal also permits designation of:

  • Equal contribution among authors, and
  • Joint supervisory roles.

Contributors who assisted the work without qualifying for authorship should be recognized in the Acknowledgements section.

1.6 Institutional Affiliation Guidelines

Authors should list as their primary affiliation the institution where the majority of the research was conducted. If an author has changed institutions since completing the work, a present address may additionally be included. Please note that institutional affiliations cannot ordinarily be altered after publication.

1.7 Amendments to Authorship

The author list, sequence, and designation of the Corresponding Author must be finalized at submission.

Requests involving:

  • Addition or removal of authors,
  • Reordering of authorship,
  • Modification of author roles,

must include written approval from all listed authors, together with a justified explanation.

Post-acceptance authorship changes will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and remain subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial board.

1.8 Author Name Revision Policy

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) supports respectful and inclusive author name update practices. Authors may request changes to their published name and associated biographical details for reasons including marriage, personal identity, or gender transition.

Such revisions may be implemented:

  • Discreetly, without public notification, or
  • Through a formal correction notice at the author’s discretion.

Requests should be submitted directly to the editorial office.

1.9 Researcher Identification (ORCID)

Authors are strongly encouraged to register for and provide an ORCID ID during submission. ORCID identifiers enhance author visibility, ensure accurate attribution, and improve discoverability across academic platforms.

1.10 Deceased or Incapacitated Contributors

A deceased or incapacitated individual may remain listed as an author if they made substantial scholarly contributions to the work. In such cases, the Corresponding Author must secure appropriate consent from the individual’s legal representative or next of kin.

1.11 Confidentiality Standards

All manuscript-related communications, including reviewer comments, editorial correspondence, and publication decisions, must remain confidential. Authors are expected not to disclose or circulate such communications without prior written authorization from the journal.

1.12 Resolution of Authorship Disputes

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) does not adjudicate disputes concerning authorship. Authors are expected to resolve disagreements independently and institutionally where necessary.

In unresolved cases, the journal reserves the right to:

  • Suspend or withdraw the manuscript from consideration, or
  • Refer the matter to the relevant institution(s) for formal investigation and act in accordance with their recommendations.

Appeals & Grievance Redressal Policy

Procedures for contesting editorial decisions, submitting complaints regarding editorial or review processes, reporting ethical concerns, and seeking further review when necessary.

2.1 General Procedure

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) is committed to maintaining fairness, transparency, and accountability in all editorial and publication processes. Authors, reviewers, and readers may submit appeals or complaints regarding editorial decisions, procedural concerns, or ethical matters.

In the first instance, concerns should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief or the Handling Editor responsible for the manuscript. Where the complaint involves either of these individuals, the matter may be escalated to the journal’s publishing representative listed on the journal website.

If no alternative contact is available, concerns may be submitted to:
Email: confluence@niet.co.in

All complaints and appeals will be treated confidentially and reviewed in a timely, impartial, and professional manner.

2.2 Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors who wish to contest an editorial decision, including manuscript rejection, must submit a formal appeal accompanied by a clear and reasoned explanation outlining the grounds for reconsideration.

Upon receiving an appeal, the Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor may:

  • Reassess the original editorial decision and peer review reports,
  • Evaluate the author’s response and supporting arguments,
  • Seek additional independent expert review where necessary, or
  • Refer the manuscript for further editorial consideration.

Following the evaluation, the appellant will be informed of the final decision together with an explanation where appropriate.

Please note that appeals are considered on scholarly and editorial merit only. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision, and priority may be given to newly submitted manuscripts during the review process.

2.3 Complaints Concerning Editorial or Peer Review Processes

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) acknowledges that concerns may occasionally arise regarding editorial administration, peer review conduct, communication delays, or procedural inefficiencies. Such matters will be examined by the Editor-in-Chief, Handling Editor, and/or the journal’s publishing office, depending on the nature of the complaint.

Following review:

  • The complainant will receive an appropriate and timely response,
  • Necessary corrective measures may be implemented internally, and
  • Feedback may be shared with editorial teams to strengthen workflow efficiency and service quality.

The journal remains committed to ensuring professionalism, fairness, and responsiveness throughout the publication process.

2.4 Publication Ethics Complaints

Allegations of publication misconduct involving authors, reviewers, editors, or any other party associated with the journal will be investigated in accordance with the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Examples of ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to:

  • Plagiarism,
  • Data fabrication or falsification,
  • Duplicate publication,
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest,
  • Manipulation of peer review,
  • Misrepresentation of authorship.

The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor may consult the publisher or external ethics advisors when addressing complex or sensitive cases.

Following investigation:

  • Appropriate actions or corrective measures will be determined,
  • Relevant parties will be informed of the outcome where feasible, and
  • Records of the investigation may be maintained for institutional or ethical compliance purposes.

Citation & Referencing Guidelines

Standards for responsible citation practices, appropriate scholarly acknowledgement, avoidance of citation manipulation, and referencing expectations for contributors.

Accurate and responsible citation practices are fundamental to maintaining academic integrity and scholarly credibility. All submissions to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS), including research articles, review papers, commentaries, and perspective pieces, must appropriately acknowledge relevant literature and sources that support the arguments, methodologies, and findings presented.

3.1 Unacceptable Citation Practices

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) strictly discourages any form of citation misuse or manipulation intended to distort scholarly metrics, visibility, or academic influence. The following practices are considered unethical:

  • Excessive or unnecessary self-citation by individual authors or research groups,
  • Reciprocal or coordinated citation arrangements between authors, institutions, or networks,
  • Inclusion of citations to the submitting journal without clear academic relevance,
  • Citation padding or manipulation designed to artificially increase citation counts or impact metrics,
  • Deliberate misrepresentation of scholarly sources or referencing unrelated works.

Where serious violations are identified, the journal may reject the manuscript and, where appropriate, notify the relevant institutions or affiliated organizations.

Authors are also encouraged to report instances where reviewers or editors request inappropriate or coercive citations unrelated to the scholarly merit of the manuscript.

3.2 Citation Standards for Authors

Authors are expected to follow ethical and academically sound citation practices throughout manuscript preparation. The following principles should guide referencing:

  • Properly acknowledge all external ideas, data, methodologies, theories, and prior research that are not part of the authors’ original contribution or considered common knowledge.
  • Cite original and primary sources whenever possible, rather than relying solely on secondary reviews or summaries.
  • Ensure that every citation accurately supports the statement or argument for which it is referenced.
  • Avoid citing sources that have not been personally consulted or critically reviewed by the authors.
  • Refrain from preferential citation of personal publications, collaborators, institutional outputs, or regional literature unless academically justified.
  • Maintain diversity and balance in the referenced scholarship without unnecessary geographic or institutional bias.
  • Limit references to the most relevant, credible, and high-quality sources rather than using excessive citations for a single claim.
  • Prioritize peer-reviewed and scholarly materials to preserve research reliability and academic rigor.
  • Avoid referencing advertisements, promotional materials, sponsored content, or non-scholarly sources lacking academic credibility.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) reserves the right to evaluate citation practices during editorial and peer review to ensure compliance with accepted standards of research ethics and scholarly integrity.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

Requirements for declaring financial, institutional, academic, or personal interests that may influence the editorial, review, or publication process.

Transparency concerning competing interests is fundamental to preserving fairness, credibility, and integrity in scholarly communication. NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) requires authors, editors, reviewers, and editorial personnel to disclose any financial, professional, institutional, or personal interests that could reasonably influence the research or editorial process.

4.1 Disclosure Responsibilities for Authors

Authors are required to disclose all financial and non-financial interests that may directly or indirectly relate to the submitted work. Disclosures should generally include interests held within the three years preceding the commencement of the research. However, older interests must also be declared if they may reasonably be perceived as relevant to the work.

The purpose of disclosure is not to imply misconduct, but to promote openness and enable readers to evaluate potential sources of bias objectively.

Interests That Should Be Declared

These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Research Funding and Support
    Grants, institutional funding, sponsorships, material support, travel assistance, salaries, or other forms of financial backing connected to the research.
  • Employment and Professional Associations
    Current, previous, or anticipated employment with organizations that may benefit from the findings or publication.
  • Financial Interests
    Consultancy payments, honoraria, stock ownership, royalties, patents, patent applications, or other commercial interests associated with the research.
  • Non-Financial Interests
    Advisory roles, editorial memberships, professional affiliations, personal relationships, ideological positions, or academic commitments that may affect objectivity.

Authors must ensure that all disclosures are complete, accurate, and transparently presented at the time of submission.

4.2 Disclosure Requirements by Submission Type

All research articles, review papers, and scholarly analyses submitted to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) must include a formal conflict of interest declaration. Depending on subject matter and context, disclosures may also be required for:

  • Editorials,
  • Commentaries,
  • Perspectives,
  • Opinion pieces,
  • Invited contributions.

Where uncertainty exists, authors are encouraged to consult the Editor-in-Chief before submission.

In addition to declarations within the manuscript, funding details must also be entered into the journal’s submission and peer review system and summarized in the manuscript’s Declarations section before the reference list.

4.3 Declaration Statements

Disclosure information should appear under a dedicated Declarations heading within the manuscript.

Funding Statements: Examples

  • “This research was supported by [Funding Agency], Grant No. [XXXXX].”
  • “Partial financial assistance was provided by [Funding Organization].”
  • “No external funding was received for this study.”

Authors should provide sufficient detail to ensure transparency regarding the source and nature of support received.

4.4 Competing Interests and Conflict Disclosure

Authors must clearly declare any competing interests that may reasonably influence the interpretation, analysis, or presentation of the work.

Examples of Financial Interests

  • “Author A received research funding from Company X.”
  • “Author B holds equity shares in Company Y.”
  • “The authors declare no relevant financial competing interests.”

Examples of Non-Financial Interests

  • “Author C serves as an unpaid advisor to Organization Z.”
  • “The authors declare no relevant non-financial competing interests.”

When No Competing Interests Exist

Authors may state: "The authors declare no competing financial or non-financial interests related to this manuscript."

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all disclosure statements. Failure to provide accurate disclosures may result in editorial action, including manuscript rejection, correction, or retraction after publication.

4.5 Responsibilities of Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editors, Editorial Board Members, and Guest Editors are expected to maintain impartiality and transparency throughout the editorial process. They must disclose and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in situations involving:

  • Previous or ongoing collaboration with the authors,
  • Shared institutional affiliation,
  • Personal, academic, or financial relationships that could compromise objectivity,
  • Any circumstance that may create a perceived conflict of interest.

Where an editor submits a manuscript to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) as an author or co-author, the submission must be managed independently by another qualified editor with no conflicting interest.

All manuscripts submitted by editorial members will undergo the same peer review and editorial standards applied to all other submissions.

4.6 Responsibilities of Editorial Staff

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) is committed to safeguarding editorial independence and ethical publishing practices. Editorial staff members must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal interests that may influence editorial responsibilities or decision-making processes.

All editorial decisions must be guided solely by:

  • Academic merit,
  • Scientific quality,
  • Relevance to the journal’s scope,
  • Integrity and originality of the research.

The journal does not permit performance incentives or external pressures that could compromise editorial neutrality or publication ethics.

Post-Publication Corrections & Retraction Policy

Framework for issuing corrigenda, retractions, editorial notices, expressions of concern, article withdrawal, and scholarly responses after publication.

Maintaining the reliability, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record is a central commitment of NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS). Although uncommon, circumstances may arise where published material requires correction, clarification, retraction, or other editorial action to preserve academic accuracy and ethical standards.

5.1 Corrections and Retractions

Where concerns arise regarding the accuracy, reliability, or ethical integrity of a published article, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) may issue formal editorial notices, including:

  • Corrections are made when factual inaccuracies or presentation errors require clarification, but the overall validity of the research remains unaffected;
  • Retractions, when the findings, conclusions, or ethical foundations of the work are fundamentally compromised.

All correction and retraction notices are published as separate, identifiable records and are permanently linked to the original article to ensure transparency within the scholarly archive.

Except in exceptional legal or ethical situations, the original publication will remain accessible with a clear indication of any amendments or editorial actions taken.

5.2 Reporting Concerns and Ethical Issues

Authors, readers, reviewers, or affiliated institutions who identify potential errors, ethical breaches, or integrity concerns are encouraged to contact the journal’s editorial office through the official contact information provided on the journal website.

All concerns will be evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief, and where necessary, in consultation with subject experts, institutional representatives, or the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and recommendations.

Investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with accepted publication ethics standards.

5.3 Correction Notices

A correction may be issued where inaccuracies:

  • Affect the clarity, interpretation, or precision of the published work,
  • Require amendment for scholarly accuracy,
  • Do not invalidate the principal conclusions of the article.

Correction notices will:

  • Clearly describe the nature of the amendment,
  • Remain permanently associated with the original article,
  • Preserve transparency regarding changes made after publication.

Author Name Amendments

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) also supports post-publication author name changes in circumstances involving personal identity, gender transition, marriage, or related reasons. Such updates may be implemented either discreetly or through a formal published correction, according to the author’s preference.

5.4 Retraction Procedures

Retractions may be issued when:

  • Research findings are shown to be unreliable or substantially flawed,
  • Evidence of academic misconduct is established, including plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or unethical research practices,
  • Serious ethical violations compromise the integrity of the publication.

Retraction notices will:

  • Clearly explain the basis for the retraction,
  • Remain permanently linked to the original publication,
  • Identify the article as “Retracted,” including visible watermarking where applicable,
  • Retain bibliographic transparency within the scholarly record.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) views retractions primarily as mechanisms for correcting the academic literature rather than punitive actions against authors. All retraction procedures are guided by established COPE recommendations.

5.5 Removal of Published Material

In rare and exceptional circumstances, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) reserves the right to remove published content from public access where required by legal, ethical, or safety considerations.

Removal may occur in situations involving:

  • Defamatory or unlawful material,
  • Violations of privacy or intellectual property rights,
  • Court orders or regulatory directives,
  • Immediate and significant threats to public health or public safety.

Where removal is necessary:

  • The article may be withdrawn temporarily or permanently,
  • Essential bibliographic information will remain accessible,
  • A public notice will explain the reason for the removal action.

5.6 Editorial Notes and Expressions of Concern

Editor’s Note

An Editor’s Note may be issued when an investigation concerning a published article is ongoing but not yet resolved. Such notices serve as preliminary notifications to readers and are generally published online without formal indexing.

Editorial Expression of Concern (EEoC)

An Editorial Expression of Concern is a formal statement issued when substantial concerns exist regarding the integrity or reliability of a publication, but an outcome has not yet been determined.

An EEoC:

  • Is formally indexed and citable,
  • Receives a DOI,
  • Remains linked to the original article,
  • May precede subsequent correction or retraction actions.

These measures support transparency and responsible scholarly communication during extended or complex investigations.

5.7 Matters Arising: Scholarly Post-Publication Discussion

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) encourages constructive academic dialogue and welcomes formal post-publication commentary under the category Matters Arising.

Such contributions may include:

  • Scholarly critiques of published findings,
  • Alternative interpretations or clarifications,
  • Replication or reproducibility studies,
  • Methodological or analytical discussions.

Conditions for Consideration

  • The commentary should primarily address evidence or knowledge available at the time of the original publication rather than later developments;
  • All submissions will undergo editorial assessment and peer review;
  • Authors of the original article will ordinarily be invited to provide a formal response. Where accepted, both the commentary and the corresponding response may be published together to encourage balanced and transparent scientific discourse.

Research Data Transparency Policy

Requirements for data availability statements, repository submission practices, transparency in supporting datasets, and confidentiality considerations during peer review.

Research transparency and reproducibility are fundamental principles of responsible scholarly publishing. An essential component of reproducibility is the accessibility and clarity of the data supporting published findings. To strengthen research integrity and encourage transparent scientific communication, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) requires all submitted manuscripts to include a formal Data Availability Statement.

This statement should clearly explain the status and accessibility of the data associated with the study, including whether:

  • The data are publicly available in a repository,
  • Access may be granted upon reasonable request,
  • The data are included within supplementary materials,
  • Or restrictions apply due to ethical, legal, confidentiality, or privacy considerations.

While NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) does not require mandatory public data sharing in all cases, authors must transparently disclose how the supporting data can be accessed, examined, or verified wherever possible.

6.1 Core Principles and Requirements

To support openness and scholarly accountability, authors must adhere to the following principles:

  • A Data Availability Statement is mandatory for all article submissions, irrespective of manuscript category or discipline.
  • Where datasets are deposited in repositories, authors should provide:
    • The repository name,
    • Persistent identifiers such as DOI or URL,
    • Any applicable access conditions or restrictions.
  • If data are available only upon request, this should be clearly stated together with the contact details of the responsible author, typically the Corresponding Author.
  • If no original datasets were generated, analyzed, or used, authors should explicitly indicate this within the statement.
  • Studies relying exclusively on publicly accessible datasets should identify the relevant data source or repository.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) encourages authors to follow best practices in data organization, documentation, and preservation to facilitate verification and future scholarly use.

6.2 Confidentiality in Peer Review

For submissions undergoing double-blind peer review, authors are strongly encouraged to ensure that shared datasets, supplementary files, or repository links do not compromise author anonymity.

Where applicable, authors should:

  • Remove identifying metadata from datasets and files,
  • Use anonymized repository access links,
  • Utilize confidential or reviewer-only repository access features during peer review.

Many recognized data repositories provide temporary anonymous access options specifically designed to support confidential peer review processes.

6.3 Transparency and Compliance Standards

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS)’s data transparency practices are informed by internationally recognized standards promoting openness and reproducibility in research.

This policy broadly aligns with the principles of the Transparency and Openness Promotion Guidelines (TOP Guidelines), particularly Level 1 recommendations concerning disclosure and accessibility.

The journal also draws inspiration from established global publishing practices adopted by major academic publishers and journals supporting open science, transparent methodology, and reproducible scholarship.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) remains committed to encouraging ethical data stewardship while recognizing disciplinary, ethical, legal, and institutional differences in data-sharing practices.

6.4 Examples of Data Availability Statements

The following are examples of acceptable Data Availability Statements:

  • “The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the [repository name] repository at [DOI/URL].”
  • “The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.”
  • “All data generated or analyzed during this study are included within this published article and its supplementary materials.”
  • “No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.”

Authors should ensure that all statements are accurate, complete, and consistent with the accessibility conditions described in the manuscript.

Ethical Standards for Contributors

Expectations regarding originality, avoidance of duplicate submission, research integrity, permission compliance, responsible citation behavior, and rectification of published errors.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) is dedicated to preserving the integrity, reliability, and credibility of scholarly communication. Authors submitting manuscripts to the journal are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, ethical research conduct, and responsible publication practices.

7.1 Originality and Redundant Publication

Manuscripts submitted to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) must represent original scholarly work and must not be simultaneously under consideration elsewhere or previously published in substantially similar form.

Authors are expected to:

  • Disclose any related or overlapping publications, including translated versions, conference papers, or extended studies;
  • Avoid duplicate publication and redundant dissemination of substantially similar findings;
  • Refrain from practices such as text recycling (self-plagiarism).

Transparency regarding prior dissemination is essential to maintaining publication integrity.

7.2 Research Integrity and Academic Honesty

Authors must ensure that all research findings are presented honestly, accurately, and responsibly.

The following practices are strictly prohibited:

  • Data fabrication or falsification,
  • Selective reporting intended to mislead,
  • Inappropriate manipulation of images, figures, or datasets,
  • Plagiarism in any form.

Research data should be collected, analyzed, interpreted, and reported according to recognized disciplinary and ethical standards.

All borrowed ideas, text, methodologies, or materials must be properly acknowledged through accurate citation, quotation, or paraphrasing. Permission must be obtained where copyrighted material is reproduced.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) reserves the right to screen all submissions using plagiarism detection software before peer review and publication.

7.3 Use of Proprietary Tools and Third-Party Materials

Authors are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions, licenses, or approvals for the use of:

  • Proprietary software,
  • Standardized instruments or measurement scales,
  • Surveys and questionnaires,
  • Copyrighted figures, images, or third-party content.

Failure to secure appropriate permissions may delay editorial processing or result in rejection of the submission.

7.4 Responsible Citation Practices

References and citations should be relevant, accurate, and directly supportive of the arguments or findings presented in the manuscript.

Authors must avoid:

  • Excessive self-citation,
  • Coordinated or reciprocal citation arrangements,
  • Citation manipulation intended to influence bibliometric indicators,
  • Misrepresentation of cited literature,
  • Referencing sources not personally consulted by the author.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) reserves the right to assess citation practices during editorial evaluation and peer review to ensure compliance with accepted standards of publication ethics.

7.5 Prevention of Harmful or Defamatory Content

Authors must ensure that submitted work does not contain:

  • Defamatory statements,
  • Unverified allegations,
  • Misleading accusations against individuals, institutions, or organizations.

Research involving potentially harmful applications, including studies with implications for biological misuse, public safety, or national security, should include appropriate contextual warnings and ethical safeguards where necessary.

7.6 Authorship and Changes in Authorship

All listed authors must have made substantial scholarly contributions to the research and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.

The sequence of authorship and identification of the Corresponding Author should be finalized at submission.

Requests involving:

  • Addition or removal of authors,
  • Changes in author order,
  • Modifications to corresponding authorship are discouraged after submission and may only be considered with:
    • Written consent from all authors, and
    • Approval from the Editor-in-Chief.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) expects all authorship practices to align with accepted academic and ethical standards.

7.7 Data Accessibility and Verification

Authors should retain and, where appropriate, provide access to raw data, supporting records, and methodological documentation necessary to validate the reported findings.

Upon reasonable request, authors may be asked to provide supporting materials for editorial review or verification purposes.

Exceptions may apply in cases involving:

  • Confidential information,
  • Ethical restrictions,
  • Proprietary or legally protected data.

7.8 Ethical Violations and Investigative Procedures

Allegations of ethical misconduct - including plagiarism, authorship disputes, data manipulation, duplicate publication, or other breaches of research integrity - will be handled in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the concern, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) may:

  • Reject manuscripts under review,
  • Publish corrections, retractions, or editorial expressions of concern,
  • Notify the authors’ affiliated institutions or funding bodies,
  • Add a permanent ethical notice to the article record where necessary.

All investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with accepted publication ethics procedures.

7.9 Post-Publication Corrections of Errors

Authors have an ongoing responsibility to notify the journal promptly if significant inaccuracies, methodological flaws, or errors are identified after publication.

Where necessary, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) may issue:

  • A formal correction notice, or
  • A retraction,

Depending on the severity and impact of the issue on the reliability of the published work.

Such actions are intended to preserve the accuracy and transparency of the scholarly record.

7.10 Reviewer Suggestions and Exclusions

Authors may recommend suitable peer reviewers or request exclusion of specific individuals during submission.

Suggested reviewers must:

  • Possess appropriate subject expertise,
  • Be independent of the authors and institutions involved,
  • Have no competing interests related to the manuscript,
  • Provide verifiable institutional email addresses.

While reviewer suggestions may assist the editorial process, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) retains full discretion regarding reviewer selection and is under no obligation to follow author recommendations or exclusion requests.

Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy

Guidelines governing the ethical use of AI-assisted tools in research and writing, restrictions on AI authorship, policies on AI-generated visuals, and reviewer responsibilities concerning AI technologies.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) recognizes the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in academic research and scholarly communication. As AI tools continue to develop, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) remains committed to protecting research integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical publishing practices. The journal will periodically review and revise this policy in response to emerging technological, legal, and ethical considerations.

8.1 AI and Authorship

Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI systems - including tools such as ChatGPT - cannot be listed as authors on manuscripts submitted to NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS).

Authorship within scholarly publishing requires:

  • Intellectual accountability,
  • Responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the work,
  • Ability to respond to editorial and ethical concerns,
  • Capacity to approve the final manuscript.

As AI systems cannot fulfil these responsibilities, authorship must remain limited to human contributors.

Disclosure of AI-Assisted Writing

Where AI or LLM-based tools are used during manuscript preparation - including assistance with:

  • Draft generation,
  • Idea organization,
  • Text summarization,
  • Language restructuring,
  • Analytical support,

Their use must be transparently disclosed within the manuscript, typically in the Methods, Acknowledgements, or another appropriate section.

AI-Assisted Language Editing

Routine AI-assisted editing limited to:

  • Grammar correction,
  • Spelling refinement,
  • Formatting,
  • Stylistic improvement,

does not require formal disclosure, provided that:

  • The original intellectual content was created by the authors,
  • All outputs are carefully reviewed and verified by the human authors,
  • The authors accept full responsibility for the final submitted manuscript.

Under all circumstances, accountability for the content remains entirely with the human authors.

8.2 Generative AI Images and Visual Content

Due to ongoing concerns regarding copyright ownership, legal uncertainty, research ethics, and authenticity, NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) currently prohibits the publication of generative AI created visual materials.

This restriction applies to AI-generated:

  • Illustrations,
  • Scientific diagrams,
  • Photographs,
  • Video stills,
  • 2D and 3D renderings,
  • Animations,
  • Composite visual media.

Limited Exceptions

AI-generated visuals may only be considered under exceptional circumstances, including:

  • Content obtained from licensed and legally compliant AI-image providers,
  • Visuals submitted as part of research specifically examining AI technologies,
  • Images or videos generated from scientific datasets using verifiable, ethically compliant AI methods.

In all such cases:

  • The AI-generated nature of the content must be explicitly identified,
  • Appropriate copyright and usage permissions must be documented,
  • Final acceptance remains subject to editorial evaluation.

Content Outside the Scope of This Restriction

This policy does not ordinarily apply to non-image elements such as:

  • Tables,
  • Flowcharts,
  • Statistical graphs,
  • Numerical visualizations lacking generated image content.

AI-Assisted Image Enhancement

The use of non-generative AI tools for enhancement, restoration, sharpening, or modification of existing visuals must be transparently disclosed within the figure caption or accompanying manuscript notes for editorial assessment.

8.3 Use of AI by Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers are selected based on scholarly expertise and are expected to maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and professional responsibility throughout the review process.

Because generative AI platforms may:

  • Produce inaccurate or fabricated outputs,
  • Introduce unintended bias,
  • Store confidential manuscript information,
  • Compromise unpublished intellectual property,

Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, or confidential editorial materials to public generative AI systems.

Disclosure of AI Assistance in Peer Review

If reviewers use AI-assisted tools for limited purposes - such as:

  • Organizing notes,
  • Summarizing content,
  • Assisting analytical review,

Such use must be transparently disclosed within the peer review report submitted to the journal.

Reviewers remain fully responsible for:

  • The accuracy of their evaluations,
  • The integrity of their recommendations,
  • The confidentiality of manuscript materials.

NIET Journal of Discourse, Technology, and Society (NJDTS) continues to evaluate the future use of secure, ethically approved AI-assisted reviewing environments and may revise this policy as technological standards evolve.