Ethical issues

We welcome unpublished articles, whether original or review articles, as well as case studies, bibliographic reviews and opinion articles. These must not have been previously published, nor submitted for review in any other journal or medium of scientific dissemination. Authors acknowledge to have taken an active part in the preparation of the manuscript, to have revised the manuscript’s latest version, as well as to approve its submission.

The material published in Siembra is the property of the journal and the authors are responsible for the concepts and information contained in the articles. The partial or total reproduction of the articles published in the Siembra is authorized, as long as the source is properly cited.

It is important to note that the mention of commercial product brands in the published articles is the sole responsibility of the authors, and in no case does it suggest that the Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) recommends their use.

In accordance with to the Council of Science Editors, it is recommended that authors specify the source(s) of funding for the research from which the manuscript to be published originates. This information should be included in the "Title Page" to ensure anonymity during the review process.

In addition, in accordance with bioethical compliance, authors must specify in the "Title page" the permissions or authorizations obtained to carry out their research, in accordance with the nature of the article and the applicable regulations. If the authors indicate in the "Title Page" that they did not require any permits or authorizations to carry out their research, they should –however-, attach a ‘letter of legal and technical justification of compliance with bioethical procedures’. For those cases deserving greater detail, a ‘certificate of institutional ethical endorsement’ may be requested by the Editor(s).

 

Changes in accepted and published articles

Prior to the publication of a manuscript, the authors receive a galley proof, containing the style corrections and editorial changes made to the accepted manuscript, for review and acceptance.

Authors should indicate any errors or changes they consider not pertinent so that the Editor can correct them before publication of the article. If the authors require changes or modifications to the accepted manuscripts, they should send a written request to the Editor, who will review and, if appropriate, accept the requested changes or modifications.

Should the author require new material or information to be added to the accepted manuscript, this must be submitted (for review) to the peer reviewers of the original manuscript, with reference to the request made.

Changes or modifications to published articles

If authors detect an error or omission in the published article, which may alter its comprehensibility, yet does not alter its academic-scientific integrity, they should notify the Editor so that he/she can proceed with the correction of the published content. The Editor will choose to publish an erratum or a corrigendum, according to the type of error detected.

• Erratum
  • The erratum is a correction of errors resulting from the editorial process. The erratum is published by the Editor as a new document in the volume and issue in which the error(s) occurred.
• Corrigendum
  • A corrigendum is a change in the published article at the request of the author at any time. Authors will notify the Editor of the requested changes, which will be evaluated and the impact of the change on the content of the article will be determined prior to its acceptance and publication. The corrigendum is published as a new document in the volume and issue in which the changes are made.

Retraction of published articles

According to the COPE Retraction Guidelines (2021), the publisher should consider retracting a publication if:

• They have clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of major error (e.g., miscalculation or experimental error), or as a result of fabrication (e.g., of data) or falsification (e.g., image manipulation).
• It constitutes plagiarism.
• The findings have previously been published elsewhere without proper attribution to previous sources or disclosure to the editor, permission to republish, or justification (e.g., cases of redundant publication).
• It contains material or data without authorization for use.
• Copyright has been infringed or there is some other serious legal issue (e.g., libel, privacy).
• It reports unethical research.
• It has been published solely on the basis of a compromised or manipulated peer review process.
• The author(s) failed to disclose a major competing interest (a.k.a. conflict of interest) that, in the view of the editor, would have unduly affected interpretations of the work or recommendations by editors and peer reviewers.

Retracted articles will remain on the platform with the label [RETRACTED] at the beginning of the title,  with a watermark on the document.

 

Code of Ethics

Authors who send their manuscripts for peer review and publication in Siembra agree to comply with:

• Originality: The authors certify that the information and data included in the manuscript are the product of original and unpublished research, which does not contain fragments of other authors or papers previously published by the authors of the manuscript, without appropriate citation.
• Data reliability: The authors certify the veracity of the data and the bibliography consulted, understood as the non-alteration or manipulation of the data and information obtained in the research.
• Proper citation and attribution statement: The authors provide the correct and complete information from the different sources quoted in the manuscript, as well as declare the attribution of the information from third parties. The authors consult and cite updated and relevant bibliography on the subject covered in the manuscript, and at the same time take into consideration the plurality and diversity of philosophies, approaches, and schools of knowledge.
• Responsible authorship: The authors guarantee the inclusion of all persons who have contributed, in a scientific and intellectual way, to the conceptualization, design, development, treatment, interpretation, and analysis of the results, and writing of the manuscript. The order of authorship reflects the level of responsibility and participation.
• Content responsibility: All the content of the articles published by Siembra is the responsibility of the authors.
• Conflict of interest and funding: The authors explicitly state that there are no conflicts of interest that could have biased the results included in the manuscript. The authors declare the sources of funding to obtain the results presented in the manuscript.
• Repeated and/or multiple publications: Authors certify that the submitted manuscript does not contain repeated data or information published in other scientific journals or non-academic publications.
• Correction of errors in published articles: If the authors identify errors or mistakes in the published article, they should immediately notify Siembra, as well as all relevant information, in order to proceed to publish the corrections in a note or erratum.

Authors declare compliance with these principles when submitting their manuscripts.

 

The reviewers who agree, freely and voluntarily, to review the manuscripts sent to Siembra are committed to comply with:

• Professional responsibility: Authors who have benefited from the peer review process in the past should consider becoming reviewers themselves as part of their professional responsibilities.
• Accurate personal information: Potential reviewers will provide Siembra with personal and professional information that is accurate and a true representation of their expertise, including verifiable and precise contact information. Impersonating another person during the review process is considered a serious misconduct.
• Expertise in the field of knowledge of the manuscript: When contacted for review, the reviewer should proceed with the review only if has the expertise necessary to review the manuscript and provide an impartial evaluation. When asked to review, it is best to clearly identify any gaps in your expertise.
• Conflict of interest: The reviewer will declare any potential conflict of interest or conflicting interests of any kind. If reviewers discover a conflict of interest that could prevent them from conducting a fair and impartial review, they must immediately notify Siembra.
• Timeliness: The reviewers agree to submit their observations and comments within the established deadline. The reviewer must inform Siembra if cannot comply with the original agreement or if requires an extension of the deadline.
• Suggest other reviewers: If the reviewer is unable to review the assigned manuscript, it is helpful to suggest alternative reviewers, if appropriate, based on their expertise and without the influence of personal considerations or the intention that the manuscript will produce a specific result (either positive or negative).
• Confidentiality: The reviewer agrees to respect the confidentiality of the review process and to avoid using information obtained during the peer review process for the benefit of himself or others, or to disadvantage or discredit others.
• Suspicion of misconduct: If the reviewer finds any irregularities in relation to research or publication ethics, the reviewer must immediately notify Siembra.
• Objective review: Reviewers are committed to objectively reviewing the assigned manuscript. Likewise, they will provide the necessary justification for each of their comments and/or observations, based on a critical, honest, constructive and unbiased review, in order to improve the scientific and writing quality of the manuscript.
• Contribution to the editorial decision: Reviewers will provide their criteria for the publication or not of the manuscript, as a basis for decision making by the editors.

 

The Siembra Editorial Team is committed to complying with:

• Transparent peer review and publication process: The editorial team will assess the suitability of the manuscripts received based on their scientific merit, without any discrimination. It will also guarantee the most qualified reviewers will be selected to review each of the manuscripts received. Each manuscript will be assigned at least 2 reviewers. The assessment provided by the reviewers will be considered in the final decision of whether or not to publish the manuscript.
• Confidentiality: The editorial team is committed for respecting the confidentiality of the review process and refraining from using information obtained during the peer review process to its own advantage or that of others, or to disadvantage or discredit others. They also agree not to disclose information related to the manuscripts received, and to guarantee an anonymous (double-blind) review process.
• Conflict of Interest: Members of the editorial team will declare any potential conflict of interest, whatever its nature. If any member of the editorial team discovers a conflict of interest that could prevent the managing of the manuscript, this must be notified immediately.
• Disclosure: The members of the editorial team agree not to use in their research the contents of the submitted manuscripts without the author's written consent.
• Time management: The editorial team is committed to ensuring compliance with the deadlines established for each stage of the editorial process.
• Corrections & Retractions: The editorial team will issue corrections, retraction statements, and other post-publication updates including Editor’s Notes and Editorial Expressions of Concern on published content. Retractions will be considered by the editorial team in cases of evidence of unreliable data or findings, plagiarism, duplicate publication, and unethical research. 

• Article removal: The editorial team will issue article removal in rare circumstances where the problems are very serious in nature (serious risk if followed; rights violation, defamation) and cannot be addressed by retraction statements, Editor’s Notes or Editorial Expressions of Concern. In case of an article is being removed from Siembra, a removal notice will be issued in its place.

 

Bioethics Compliance:

• Permits and authorizations: Authors of manuscripts will be responsible for obtaining all relevant permits and authorizations, in accordance with the legislation of the country where the research was conducted. Relevant information should be explicitly stated in the manuscript. The editors may require this information if they consider it relevant and necessary.
• Research involving humans: Authors are responsible for obtaining and correctly using informed consent statements. The editors may require this information if they deem it relevant and necessary. The ethical standards of the research process, before, during, and after its conduct, such as the protection of the dignity, rights, well-being, and safety of participants in studies within the context of a research protocol, should be ensured.
• Adherence to National and International Laws and Good Practice Guidelines for Ethical Conduct: Publishers should require authors to adhere to relevant national and international laws and good practice guidelines, where applicable, for example when conducting research on animals.

Siembra adheres to the standards of Comitée on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

Non-compliance with the code of ethics of Siembra will involve:

• The rejection of the manuscript in case of the author's non-compliance.
• The elimination from the reviewers' bank in case of non-compliance by the reviewer.
• Separation from the Editorial Board in case of non-compliance by its member.
• Denunciation to the corresponding authorities in case of non-compliance with the applicable legislation.