We help authors publish ethically
A researcher’s dedication to publishing ethically may be compromised from increasing workplace-related pressure, junior author oversight, incompatible research training, and/or lack of awareness of the differences in different institutions’ ethical standards. AfricanType monitors papers for ethical violations, such as accidental plagiarism, so that they can be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
AfricanType is proud to serve as an advisor on this matter. Because AfricanType editors are often the first readers other than the authors of a given paper, we can provide advice and assistance in a timely manner, which avoids not only the real consequences of misconduct in academic publication but also embarrassment and tarnished reputations. The majority of ethical violations that we see are unintentional. Early-career scientists in particular are often not aware of the pitfalls that can leave their papers outside the bounds of ethical research.
AfricanType is fully committed to following best practices and supporting our authors in their own commitment to publish ethically through both author education and an optimized editorial screening process. We advocate ethical publication practices and are an official member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
AfricanType Ethical Publishing Guidelines
As a leading international author services company servicing international researchers, journal editorial staff, and publishers, AfricanType is committed to helping authors maintain high standards of publication ethics and supporting ethical research practices. As a member of COPE, we adhere to the COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Publishers when working with a partner publisher.
Awareness campaigns and author education
We provide resources on industry guidelines through workshops, articles, and newsletters.
Manuscript-level screening for ethical compliance
Our editors screen for any cases of misconduct or apparent misconduct, notify authors of the risks, and, if necessary, direct them to further resources where they can access the target journal’s policies on misconduct. In cases of suspected plagiarism in a manuscript, we draw the authors’ attention to the issue, provide iThenticate plagiarism screening, and suggest steps by which it may be rectified.
Ethical Publishing Case Studies, Courses of Actions, and Summaries
Four sample case studies to show how AfricanType staff address instances of suspected ethical misconduct.
As an ethical author service provider, AfricanType refrains from the following:
Knowingly facilitating malpractice, including:
Inappropriate authorship
Undisclosed conflicts of interest
Duplicate publication
Concurrent submission to multiple journals
Data fabrication or manipulation
Peer review fraud