Publication Ethics and Malpractice statement

Strojniški vestnik – Journal of Mechanical Engineering is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal adheres to the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher to comply with internationally recognized ethical standards throughout the publication process.

Authors' Responsibilities

Authors must submit original work that has not been published previously and is not under consideration by another journal. All manuscripts should accurately present the research performed, and sufficient detail should be provided to allow the work to be understood and verified. Data fabrication, data falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication, image manipulation, and any other form of research misconduct are strictly prohibited.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all listed authors have made substantial scientific contributions to the research and have approved the final version of the manuscript. Appropriate acknowledgment should be given to individuals or organizations that contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

All sources of financial support, funding information, and potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed at the time of submission. If a significant error or inaccuracy is discovered after publication, authors are expected to notify the Editorial Office promptly and cooperate in issuing a correction or retraction when necessary.

Editors' Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based solely on the scientific quality, originality, technical significance, clarity, and relevance of submitted manuscripts. Editorial decisions shall not be influenced by the authors' nationality, ethnicity, gender, institutional affiliation, political beliefs, or religious background.

Editors must ensure that all submissions receive a fair, objective, and confidential peer-review process. They are required to preserve the confidentiality of manuscripts and may not disclose information regarding a submission except to the corresponding author, reviewers, editorial staff, or the publisher as appropriate.

When ethical concerns arise, editors will investigate allegations in accordance with COPE guidelines and take appropriate action, including manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

Reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the scientific quality of the journal. They are expected to provide objective, constructive, and timely evaluations that assist editors in making publication decisions and help authors improve their manuscripts.

All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers should not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal research or other purposes. Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited and report any substantial similarities between the manuscript under review and previously published studies.

Reviewers must decline review invitations if they have conflicts of interest or if they believe they are unable to provide an objective and competent assessment.

Publisher's Responsibilities

The publisher supports the Editorial Board in maintaining editorial independence and ensuring that commercial interests do not influence editorial decisions. The publisher is committed to preserving the integrity of the academic record and cooperating with editors when ethical issues require investigation or corrective action.

Research Integrity

Research involving human participants, animals, hazardous materials, or sensitive data must comply with applicable institutional, national, and international ethical regulations. Authors should confirm that appropriate ethical approvals and informed consent have been obtained whenever required.

The journal encourages transparency and reproducibility by promoting accurate reporting of research methods, appropriate data management, and the availability of supporting data whenever possible.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the objectivity of the research, peer review, or editorial decision-making process. Individuals with significant conflicts of interest may be excluded from handling or reviewing a manuscript.

Plagiarism Screening

All submitted manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism detection software before or during the peer-review process. Manuscripts containing substantial plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other forms of academic misconduct will be rejected. If misconduct is identified after publication, the journal may publish corrections or retract the affected article in accordance with COPE recommendations.

Corrections and Retractions

When significant errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal will take appropriate corrective measures to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. Depending on the nature of the issue, these measures may include the publication of an erratum, corrigendum, expression of concern, or formal retraction.

Ethical Oversight

The Editorial Office investigates all allegations of publication misconduct fairly, objectively, and confidentially. Decisions are made based on the available evidence and in accordance with internationally accepted publishing standards. The journal is committed to protecting the integrity of scholarly communication and ensuring that all published research meets the highest standards of scientific and ethical quality.