Ethical Guidelines for Publications | AIChE

Ethical Guidelines for Publications

Following are AIChE Ethical Guidelines for authors, editors, and reviewers. These guidelines apply to all AIChE and related technological societies' publications.

For Authors

  • Authors are obligated to present an accurate account of research.
  • A primary research report should contain sufficient detail and references to permit peers to repeat the work.
  • Any unusual hazards inherent in the chemicals, equipment, or procedures shall be clearly identified.
  • Authors shall inform the editor of related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere.
  • Authors shall not submit manuscripts describing the same research to more than one journal, unless it has been withdrawn from consideration by the other publication.
  • Authors may submit a manuscript expanding a brief preliminary account. However, they shall make the editor aware of the earlier communication and cite it in the manuscript.
  • Authors shall identify the source of all information offered, except common knowledge.
  • Coauthors of papers shall have made significant contributions to the work and share accountability for the results. Other contributions can be cited in an acknowledgement or footnote. The author who submits a manuscript shall have sent each living coauthor a draft and have obtained their assent to publication.
  • Authors shall reveal any potential conflict of interest that might arise through publication. Authors shall ensure that no contractual relations or proprietary considerations affect publication.

For Editors

  • Editors shall give unbiased consideration to manuscripts. Editors may take into consideration experience with other manuscripts previously submitted by the author(s).
  • Responsibility for acceptance or rejection rests with the editor. Doing so normally entails advice from reviewers. Manuscripts that editors deem clearly inappropriate may be rejected without such review.
  • Editors and their staff shall not disclose information about a manuscript to anyone other than reviewers and authors. Unpublished information should not be used by editors in their research except with the consent of the author(s).
  • If evidence arises that published material is incorrect, editors should facilitate publication of a correction.
  • Authors may request that certain reviewers not be used, but the decision will be left to editor's discretion.
  • Editors shall avoid any practice that gives rise to a conflict of interest or the reasonable appearance of one.

For Reviewers

  • Reviewers shall give unbiased consideration to manuscripts.
  • Reviewers who don't feel qualified to make an informed judgment should return a manuscript promptly.
  • Reviewers shall be sensitive to the appearance of a conflict of interest when a manuscript is closely related to their work in progress or if a previous personal or professional relationship with the author(s) could cause the appearance of bias.
  • Reviewers shall explain their judgments so editors and authors understand them and provide citations where concerns relate to previously published material.
  • Reviewers shall call to an editor's attention any substantial similarity between a manuscript and a published paper or manuscript submitted concurrently to another journal.
  • Reviewers shall not disclose unpublished material or use it in their research except with the consent of the author(s).