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Best practice in publication guidelines

Guideline sections

Emerald and its editors are fully committed to good publication practice. Emerald is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics and supports the application of consistent standards across the industry.

Authors submitting articles and chapters to Emerald agree to the following:

Authors submitting articles or chapters to Emerald journals and books do so on the understanding that, should practice that contravenes our guidelines be identified, their papers will be treated in the manner outlined below. The authors also accept that, in serious cases of misconduct or when we do not receive an appropriate apology, they will be subject to a suspension of publication within Emerald journals and books for up to five years.

A correction notice will be placed on the online version of the article or chapter and will appear in a forthcoming issue of the journal or volume in the book series. A correction notice will take one of the following forms:

Correction notices

Erratum

An erratum indicates a publisher error or oversight that has normally been introduced or has occurred in the publication process. An erratum will appear on the online version of the paper at the abstract level in order to ensure visibility for all readers, including non-subscribers. It will also appear on the online version of the paper. Third party distributors will also be informed of the requirement to add the erratum. In the case of a journal or book series, the erratum will also appear in the forthcoming issue or volume.

Corrigendum

A corrigendum indicates an author error that has normally occurred prior to the paper having been submitted for publication. A corrigendum will appear on the online version of the paper at the abstract level in order to ensure visibility for all readers, including non-subscribers. It will also appear on the online version of the paper. Third party distributors will also be informed of the requirement to add the corrigendum. In the case of a journal or book series, the erratum will also appear in the forthcoming issue or volume.

Retraction notice

A retraction notice will only be used in serious cases of ethical misconduct or when research is seriously flawed and misleading. In normal circumstances, the paper will remain in the online version of the journal or book. A retraction notice will appear on the online version of the paper at the abstract level in order to ensure visibility for all readers, including non-subscribers. It will also appear on the online version of the paper. Third party distributors will also be informed of the requirement to add the retraction notice. In the case of a journal or book series, the retraction notice will also appear in the forthcoming issue or volume.

Retraction notices will clearly state the reasons for the paper being withdrawn in a factual manner.

If a retraction notice is required for an author's work, Emerald reserves the right to suspend publication of any future work by the author by up to 5 years. Any submissions by the author during this period will not be considered by any Emerald publication.

Note of clarification

A note of clarification will be used when a point needs to be emphasized or clarified in the text but it does not constitute a correction.

Please note that any correction has to be highlighted as a stated erratum, corrigendum or note of clarification and the text cannot be amended. This is in order that the reader is aware of any changes to the text which they might have cited or referred to in their subsequent research or practice.

Expression of concern

In cases where a conclusion is unclear or where we are unable to make a fair decision due to conflicts of interest or lack of information, we will publish an expression of concern regarding the paper. An expression of concern will appear on the online version of the paper at the abstract level in order to ensure visibility for all readers, including non-subscribers. It will also appear on the online version of the paper.

Please note that for legal reasons or when an article or chapter forms evidence in an independent hearing, we may not be able to take action until all matters have been fully resolved. It might also be necessary for us to temporarily suspend publication of the work.

Please also note that Emerald reserves the right to not proceed with a case if the complainant presents a false name or affiliation or acts in an inappropriate or threatening manner towards Emerald editors and staff.

Guidelines in making decisions about ethical misconduct

Ethical issues include:

Plagiarism

Emerald requires that all research submitted to one of the journals or books is original and the author agrees to these terms when completing and signing a record form. Please refer to the Emerald originality guidelines (http://info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/writing/originality.htm) and the Committee on Publication Ethics' flowcharts for the processes that Emerald follows in cases of alleged plagiarism in submitted or published articles. Please also refer to our guidelines on re-using copyrighted materials within your paper at http://info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/writing/permissions.htm.

Redundant publication (dual publication or self plagiarism)

Authors are required to submit original content to Emerald publications. It is only acceptable for research to be repeated if it leads to different or new conclusions or for comparisons with new data. In all cases, it is important to reference the previously published work. Please refer to the Emerald originality guidelines (http://info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/writing/originality.htm) and the Committee on Publication Ethics' flowcharts for the processes that Emerald follows in cases of alleged redundant publication in submitted or published articles.

Authorship issues

In multi-authored papers, it is important that all authors that have made a significant contribution to the paper are listed. Those who have provided support but have not contributed to the research should be acknowledged in an Acknowledgements section.

Authorship issues fall into three main types:

  1. the exclusion of a contributor from the list of authors
  2. the inclusion of a named person who has not contributed to the paper or does not wish to be associated with the research
  3. the order of the authors on the paper and the level of contribution that they have made to the paper.

Emerald will endeavour to facilitate a resolution to an authorship dispute. However, as the research process is undertaken prior to the paper being submitted to Emerald, it is not possible for Emerald or the editors to comment on the level of contribution by each author. Please refer to the Committee on Publication Ethics' flowcharts for the processes that Emerald follows in cases of authorship disputes in submitted or published articles. If the matter cannot be resolved, Emerald will refer the matter to the authors' institutions.

If all authors agree to a change to authorship on a paper, this will be presented as a corrigendum. A retraction notice will only be published when requested by all authors.

Defamation/libel

Emerald requires that authors obtain written "proof of consent" for studies about organizations or people.

If inaccurate, unsubstantiated or emotive statements are made about organizations or people in a submitted paper, Emerald reserves the right to request changes to the text from the author or to reject the paper prior to publication.

Critiques and reviews of products and services are acceptable but comments must be constructive and must not be made maliciously.

If statements have been made in a paper that is published by Emerald and found to be defamatory, a retraction notice will be published. In some cases and when legally required, the paper will be withdrawn from the online version of the journal or book. An apology will be published in a forthcoming issue of the journal or volume of the book.

Emerald will advise all authors of case studies to inform the subject (person or organization) and to seek permission. If Emerald considers that the study could be potentially libellous, we will require written proof of consent before placing the paper into the production process.

Fabricated data

Please refer to the Committee on Publication Ethics' flowcharts for the processes that Emerald follows in cases of fabricated data in submitted or published articles. As the research is conducted prior to the paper being submitted to an Emerald journal or book, it is not possible for Emerald or the editors to adjudicate in all cases. We will endeavour to facilitate a resolution and will refer the matter to the authors' institutions when appropriate.

Unethical research and testing

An author must follow appropriate international and national procedures with respect to data protection, rights to privacy, child protection and medical testing on humans and animals. Authors must make available all consent forms and requisite forms from the appropriate regulatory bodies to the editors and publishers at Emerald. Emerald encourages all authors to demonstrate how their research contributes to the benefit of society.

If research is found to contravene international or national procedures and this is confirmed with the appropriate regulatory body, Emerald will publish a retraction notice.

Conflict of interest

All conflicts of interest should be declared by the author, editor or reviewer.

Conflicts of interest include:

A note to highlight the background to financial support for the research from third parties or any other possible conflict of interest must be added to the paper prior to review.

If a conflict of interest is suspected, then this should be reported to the editor or Emerald. A concern regarding an editor should be raised with the journal publisher or book commissioning editor at Emerald. Emerald will follow the flowcharts presented by COPE in cases of a suspected conflict of interest.

In all cases, Emerald will:

  1. Act professionally and efficiently.
  2. Be fair and objective.
  3. Always approach the accused party to establish their position before making a decision or committing to a course of action.
  4. Ensure that we provide sufficient time for all parties to respond.
  5. Keep all parties informed of decisions, including the copyright owners, editors and authors.
  6. As members of the Committee on Publication Ethics, follow the processes highlighted in the flowcharts presented by COPE (http://publicationethics.org/).
  7. It is Emerald's responsibility to protect authors' moral rights (to be acknowledged as the author and not to be misrepresented) and to ensure the correct record of the literature.

It will not be possible to please all parties in every case. Following a fair and considered process, the final decision in any disputed case will rest with the editor and Emerald.

Grievance Procedure

The following Grievance Procedure outlines the process for addressing grievances by authors whose articles or other submissions are rejected for publication.

  1. The grievance must be submitted in writing to the Editor of the journal within seven days following a submission being rejected for publication.
  2. The grievance will be considered by the Editor and Editorial Advisory Board. The grievance will be resolved by taking a majority decision.
  3. The grievance will be acknowledged with 10 days of receipt and aimed to be resolved within 30 days.
  4. The decision will be in writing and will be final.

The following flowcharts are available through the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE):

What to do if you suspect redundant (duplicate) publication

What to do if you suspect plagiarism

What to do if you suspect fabricated data

Changes in authorship

What to do if a reviewer suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 56 kb)

What to do if a reader suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a published article (Download PDF, 56 kb)

What to do if you suspect an ethical problem with a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 68 kb)

What to do if you suspect reviewer misconduct (Download PDF, 88 kb)

How COPE handles complaints against editors (Download PDF 68 kb),

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