Journal Policies
Journal of Food and Biotechnology upholds a commitment to the highest standards in research ethics, peer review, and transparency. Our policies are designed to ensure rigorous scientific integrity, inclusivity, and the fair dissemination of high-quality research across the global food science and biotechnology communities
1. Editorial and Peer Review Policy
Journal of Food and Biotechnology employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure scientific rigor and objectivity. Each manuscript is evaluated by expert reviewers who provide constructive feedback on the originality, quality, and relevance of the research. This process ensures that all published work contributes meaningfully to the fields of food science and biotechnology. Editors carefully select reviewers, address conflicts of interest, and ensure fairness throughout the process.
Authors may suggest potential reviewers, but the final selection is at the editor’s discretion. The journal aims for timely and efficient reviews, with initial decisions typically made within a few weeks. The editorial team undergoes regular training to stay updated with ethical guidelines and best practices, ensuring ethical issues and conflicts are addressed effectively. Anonymity is maintained for reviewers to encourage unbiased feedback, and all participants must disclose potential conflicts of interest to uphold the integrity of the publishing process.
2. Open Access Policy
Journal of Food and Biotechnology is an open-access journal, providing free access to all published articles worldwide. This model democratizes scientific knowledge, allowing researchers, policymakers, and the general public to access and share research findings without restrictions. Authors retain copyright under a Creative Commons license, promoting wider dissemination and use of their work.
Open access enhances the journal’s visibility and impact, increasing citations and fostering global collaboration. While an Article Processing Charge (APC) supports the publication process, the journal offers waivers or discounts to authors from low-income countries to ensure inclusivity and equity in publishing.
3. Research Ethics and Integrity
Ethical research practices are fundamental to the Journal of Food and Biotechnology. Studies involving human participants, animals, or hazardous materials must provide evidence of ethical approval from institutional review boards or equivalent bodies. Authors are expected to present findings honestly and transparently, avoiding fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting.
The journal follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to address ethical concerns and misconduct, such as plagiarism or data manipulation. By maintaining rigorous ethical standards, the journal ensures the credibility, reproducibility, and reliability of published work.
4. Conflict of Interest and Funding Transparency
To ensure objectivity, all authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest, including financial interests, affiliations, or personal relationships that could influence the research. Authors must also disclose all sources of funding, ensuring transparency regarding the influence of funders on study design, data interpretation, or publication decisions.
This policy fosters trust and accountability, with funding details included in the article’s acknowledgments. The editorial team manages disclosed conflicts impartially, safeguarding the integrity of the journal’s content.
5. Data Sharing and Reproducibility
Journal of Food and Biotechnology encourages authors to share datasets, protocols, and supplementary materials in alignment with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. Data sharing promotes reproducibility, allowing researchers to verify findings and build upon published work.
Authors must explain restrictions on data sharing, such as confidentiality or proprietary concerns. The journal emphasizes rigorous experimental designs and statistical analyses to ensure reliable and reproducible findings, supporting a collaborative and transparent research environment.
6. Authorship and Contributions
The journal adheres to international authorship standards, requiring that each author makes a significant contribution to the research, such as in study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation. Detailed contribution statements must accompany submissions, ensuring fair credit and accountability.
Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria, such as those providing technical assistance, may be acknowledged in a separate section. Changes to authorship after submission require agreement from all authors, ensuring transparency and ethical publishing practices.
7. Plagiarism and Misconduct Policy
The journal has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and research misconduct. Manuscripts undergo advanced plagiarism detection screening to ensure originality. Any detected plagiarism or misconduct, such as data fabrication or duplicate publication, results in immediate rejection or retraction.
The journal follows COPE guidelines for investigating and addressing misconduct, protecting the integrity of its publications and the scientific record.
8. Correction and Retraction Policy
The journal prioritizes accuracy and transparency, issuing corrections for minor errors and retractions for significant issues, such as methodological flaws or inaccuracies. Corrections and retractions are fully documented to maintain trust and transparency.
Authors are responsible for notifying the editorial team of any errors discovered post-publication. By adhering to COPE guidelines, the journal ensures a credible and reliable scientific record.