Ethics & Publication Malpractice Statement

Ethics & Publication Malpractice Statement

Utilitas Mathematica Journal

Mathematics thrives on rigor, clarity, and trust. At Utilitas Mathematica Journal, we are committed to cultivating a scholarly environment where ethical research, fair practice, and academic integrity are non-negotiable.

This statement outlines our expectations for authors, reviewers, editors, and readers—and what we do when those expectations are not met.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

We expect authors to uphold the highest ethical standards in their research and writing. This includes:

  • Originality: All work must be original. Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or data manipulation will result in rejection or retraction.

  • Transparency: Clearly disclose funding sources, relevant prior publications, and any competing interests.

  • Authorship Integrity: Only those who made substantial contributions should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final manuscript.

  • Simultaneous Submissions: Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals is unethical and prohibited.

  • Corrections: Authors are responsible for notifying the editors of any discovered errors post-publication.

We view authorship not just as a contribution—but as a commitment to truth and transparency.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the quality and credibility of our journal. They are expected to:

  • Provide constructive, respectful, and unbiased feedback

  • Maintain confidentiality and avoid using ideas or results from the manuscript

  • Declare any conflicts of interest or inability to provide a fair review

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, without regard to nationality, institutional affiliation, or gender

Reviewing is not gatekeeping—it's mentorship at its most invisible.

3. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are the custodians of the journal’s integrity. They are expected to:

  • Make impartial and evidence-based decisions

  • Uphold a transparent and fair peer-review process

  • Protect the anonymity and confidentiality of all participants

  • Intervene in cases of misconduct, conflicts of interest, or ethical violations

  • Promote diversity, inclusion, and academic equity within the editorial process

4. Publication Malpractice: Zero Tolerance

Utilitas Mathematica Journal strictly prohibits:

  • Plagiarism, including text recycling and unattributed borrowing

  • Data or result fabrication

  • Manipulation of citations for impact boosting

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

  • Reviewer misconduct, including exploitation or identity falsification

Sanctions for proven misconduct may include:

  • Manuscript rejection or retraction

  • Reporting to institutional or funding bodies

  • Author bans for future submissions

  • Public notices or expressions of concern, if warranted

5. Ethical Oversight and Resolution Process

If any ethical concern arises—whether during or after publication—we will:

  • Conduct a fair and confidential investigation

  • Give all parties a chance to respond

  • Follow COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines

  • Issue corrections, retractions, or apologies where necessary

Concerns may be submitted to: ethics@utilitasmathematica.com