Rights of Authors

Authors publishing in the International Journal of Comparative Psychology do not transfer copyright to the journal, but instead grant the journal a nonexclusive license. A copy of the publication agreement is available to download.

Rights of California Digital Library

The California Digital Library has the right to view and display, store and copy (for preservation purposes), and distribute all eScholarship Repository content. All eScholarship Repository content may be browsed and downloaded at no cost and with no access restrictions. Once an article is published in an eScholarship Repository journal or peer-reviewed series, it may not be removed.

Reuse Rights

Articles in the International Journal of Comparative Psychology are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors retain copyright ownership. Readers have the right to copy, distribute, and adapt the work, so long as the original work is properly credited.

Who can submit

Anyone may submit an original article to be considered for publication in the International Journal of Comparative Psychology provided he or she owns the copyright to the work being submitted or is authorized by the copyright owner or owners to submit the article. Authors are the owners of the copyrights to their works (an exception might exist if the authors have, as a condition of employment, agreed to transfer copyright to their employer).

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

IJCP requires that authors declare any possible conflict of interest. Public trust in the peer review process and the credibility of published articles depend in part on how well conflict of interest is handled during writing, peer review, and editorial decision making. Conflict of interest exists when an author (or the author's institution), reviewer, or editor has financial or personal relationships that inappropriately influence (bias) his or her actions (such relationships are also known as dual commitments, competing interests, or competing loyalties). These relationships vary from those with negligible potential to those with great potential to influence judgment, and not all relationships represent true conflict of interest. The potential for conflict of interest can exist whether or not an individual believes that the relationship affects his or her scientific judgment. Financial relationships (such as employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony) are the most easily identifiable conflicts of interest and the most likely to undermine the credibility of the journal, the authors, and of science itself. However, conflicts can occur for other reasons, such as personal relationships, academic competition, and intellectual passion.

Declaration of Financial Support

Starting in 2014, IJCP requires that authors disclose financial support for the research submitted for publication. This includes private contributions, grants from foundations, governmental organizations and companies.

Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

1 - Statement on Publication Ethics

IJCP adopts a neutral position on non scientific – religious, gender-based, environmental, ethical, political or other potentially or topically contentious subjects. It is our goal to publish good scientific evidence, interpretation, and discussions.

It is crucial for us that the science presented in IJCP is accurate and trustworthy and thus we consider the author, the journal editors, and the peer-reviewers, responsible for maintenance of the ethical standards required for publication at all stages of the process.

IJCP follows current standards of publication and is member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which sets standards and provides guidelines for best practices in order to meet these requirements.

Editors’ responsibilities

To act in a balanced, objective and fair way while carrying out their expected duties, without discrimination on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or geographical origin of the authors.

To handle submissions for special issues in the same way as other submissions, so that articles are considered and accepted solely on their academic merit and without commercial or social influence.

To adopt and follow reasonable procedures in the event of complaints of an ethical or conflict nature. To give authors a reasonable opportunity to respond to any complaints. All complaints should be investigated no matter when the original publication was approved. Documentation associated with any such complaints should be retained.

Reviewers' responsibilities

To contribute to the decision-making process, and to assist in improving the quality of the published paper by reviewing the manuscript objectively, in a timely manner.

To maintain the confidentiality of any information supplied by the editor or author. To not retain or copy the manuscript.

To alert the editor to any published or submitted content that is substantially similar to that under review.

To be aware of any potential conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, collaborative or other relationships between the reviewer and author) and to alert the editor to these, if necessary withdrawing their services for that manuscript.

Authors' responsibilities

To maintain accurate records of data associated with their submitted manuscript, and to supply or provide access to these data, on reasonable request. Where appropriate and where allowed by employer, funding body and others who might have an interest, to deposit data in a suitable repository or storage location, for sharing and further use by others.

To confirm/assert that the manuscript as submitted is not under consideration or accepted for publication elsewhere. Where portions of the content overlap with published or submitted content, to acknowledge and cite those sources. Additionally, to provide the editor with a copy of any submitted manuscript that might contain overlapping or closely related content.

To confirm that all the work in the submitted manuscript is original and to acknowledge and cite content reproduced from other sources. To obtain permission to reproduce any content from other sources.

Authors should ensure that any studies involving human or animal subjects conform to national, local and institutional laws and requirements (e.g. WMA Declaration of Helsinki, NIH Policy on Use of laboratory Animals, EU Directive on Use of Animals) and confirm that approval has been sought and obtained where appropriate. Authors should obtain express permission from human subjects and respect their privacy.

To declare any potential conflicts of interest (e.g. where the author has a competing interest (real or apparent) that could be considered or viewed as exerting an undue influence on his or her duties at any stage during the publication process).

To notify promptly the journal editor or publisher if a significant error in their publication is identified. To cooperate with the editor and publisher to publish an erratum, addendum, corrigendum notice, or to retract the paper, where this is deemed necessary.

2. Procedures for Dealing with Unethical Behavior

Identification of unethical behavior

Misconduct and unethical behavior may be identified and brought to the attention of the editor and publisher at any time, by anyone.

Misconduct and unethical behavior may include, but need not be limited to, violation of ethical issues outlined above.

Whoever informs the editor or publisher of such conduct should provide sufficient information and evidence in order for an investigation to be initiated. All allegations should be taken seriously and treated in the same way, until a successful decision or conclusion is reached.

Investigation

An initial decision should be taken by the editor, who should consult with or seek advice from the publisher, if appropriate.

Evidence should be gathered, while avoiding spreading any allegations beyond those who need to know.

Minor breaches

Minor misconduct might be dealt with without the need to consult more widely. In any event, the author should be given the opportunity to respond to any allegations.

Serious breaches

Serious misconduct might require that the employers of the accused be notified. The editor, in consultation with the International Society for Comparative Psychology, and external advisory organizations, should make the decision whether or not to involve the employers, either by examining the available evidence themselves or by further consultation with a limited number of experts.

Outcomes (in increasing order of severity; may be applied separately or in conjunction)

Informing or educating the author or reviewer where there appears to be a misunderstanding or misapplication of acceptable standards.

A more strongly worded letter to the author or reviewer covering the misconduct and as a warning to future behavior.

Publication of a formal notice detailing the misconduct.

Publication of an editorial detailing the misconduct.

A formal letter to the head of the author’s or reviewer’s department or funding agency.

Formal retraction or withdrawal of a publication from the journal, in conjunction with informing the head of the author or reviewer's department, Abstracting & Indexing services and the readership of the publication.

Imposition of a formal embargo on contributions from an individual for a defined period.

Reporting the case and outcome to a professional organization or higher authority for further investigation and action.