Ethics and Malpractice

Publication Ethics and Responsibilities

Kertas of Automation and Robotics Science (KARS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. The journal ensures integrity, transparency, and fairness throughout the peer-review and publication process. Any form of publication malpractice is strictly prohibited, and all reasonable measures will be taken to prevent and address misconduct.

KARS serves the global academic and industrial research community by publishing original, high-quality work that advances the field of automation and robotics. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to ethical conduct in all aspects of publication. The journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and is dedicated to best practices concerning ethical issues, corrections, and retractions.

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts are suitable for publication based on originality, technical merit, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

  • Editorial decisions are made impartially, without discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, political views, or institutional affiliation.

  • Editors must ensure a rigorous, fair, and confidential peer-review process.

  • Editors are obligated to maintain confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts and may not disclose information to anyone outside the editorial process.

  • Editors must avoid conflicts of interest and refrain from using unpublished materials for their own research.

  • Editors are responsible for preserving the integrity of the published record by issuing retractions or corrections when necessary and by investigating suspected misconduct.

Editorial Board Responsibilities

  • Editorial board members must maintain confidentiality in all matters related to manuscript review and publication.

  • They must disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from editorial decisions where such conflicts exist.

  • They are expected to judge submissions solely on scholarly merit and to support transparency and consistency in editorial procedures.

Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential and must not share or discuss them with unauthorized individuals.

  • Reviews should be conducted objectively and constructively, providing evidence-based feedback to improve the manuscript.

  • Reviewers should identify relevant prior work not cited by the authors and inform the editors of any plagiarism or ethical concerns.

  • Reviewers must inform editors promptly if they cannot complete a review on time or if they recognize a conflict of interest.

  • Reviewers should decline to review submissions in cases of potential conflicts of interest with the authors or institutions involved.

Author Responsibilities

  • Authors must submit original work conducted ethically and in compliance with relevant laws and research standards.

  • Submissions must not have been published previously or be under consideration by another journal.

  • All listed authors must have made a significant contribution to the work and must agree to take responsibility for its content.

  • Proper citation of others’ work is required, and any financial support or potential conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed.

  • Research methods must be described clearly and in sufficient detail to allow for replication.

  • If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must promptly inform the editorial office so appropriate action can be taken.

Copyright and Licensing

By submitting to KARS, authors affirm that their manuscript is original and not under review elsewhere. Upon acceptance, authors agree to transfer copyright to the publisher. KARS supports open-access publishing, and all articles are published under a Creative Commons license, promoting the free and global exchange of knowledge.

A copyright transfer form will be provided and must be completed upon manuscript acceptance.