Code of Conduct and Ethics Statement
For Authors Publishing in Sedimentologika
All authors must have contributed significantly to the research that forms the basis of a publication, including activities such as conception, design, data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, article drafting, and critical revision for important intellectual content. They should have given their approval for the final version to be published and be willing to take responsibility for their contributions. Individuals who did not meet the criteria for authorship should not be listed as authors. Artificial Intelligence tools and technologies cannot be listed as authors, but their use should be acknowledged in the submitted manuscript.
All authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Any interest or relationship, whether financial or otherwise, that could potentially affect objectivity is considered a potential conflict of interest. The presence of a conflict of interest does not automatically prevent publication in Sedimentologika. If authors have no conflicts of interest to declare, they must state this during submission and at the end of their manuscript (see Sedimentologika’s Manuscript Guidelines). The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that this policy is reviewed by all authors. Reviewers or editors who have a conflict of interest that may compromise their ability to provide an unbiased assessment of a manuscript should decline the review/editing request. Reviewer conflicts of interest should be disclosed to the handling editor of the manuscript, while editor conflicts of interest should be disclosed to the steering committee.
Detailed information about the provenance of sedimentological samples should be provided to ensure transparency in the research methods. Samples should always be collected and exported in accordance with relevant permits and local laws, following responsible practices. Any submission that includes new material from protected sites should include information about the necessary permissions obtained.
Data are valuable outcomes of scientific endeavors and should be preserved and accessible for future use. Therefore, Sedimentologika mandates that all data supporting the results presented in its journal papers be archived in a suitable public archive that offers access and guarantees preservation, unless subject to a confidentiality agreement that the authors can provide.
Any allegations of research or publication misconduct, such as plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of results, should be reported to Sedimentologika via the provided email for publications (support@sedimentologika.org). These allegations will be received by a member of the executive editorial board and a member of the steering committee. A commission consisting of three executive editors, to be appointed by two of the aforementioned persons, will investigate the allegations. This executive editor commission will convene within 21 days after receiving the allegations to discuss the matter. One representative from the steering committee will attend the meeting to ensure efficient and effective treatment of the allegation. The investigation will follow the guidelines provided by COPE. Within 60 days of receiving the allegations, the executive editors’ commission will prepare a report containing their findings and decision. This report will be presented to the entire executive editorial team (excluding those with potential conflicts of interest), the handling editor of the paper in question, and a member of the steering committee. The decision will be put to a vote, and if the majority approves, it will be adopted. If the decision is not approved, the executive editorial committee will reconsider it in light of the remarks made, and another vote will be taken within 14 days of the previous round. The same process will be followed, with the decision resulting from the second round of voting being final. If necessary, retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern can be issued to preserve the integrity of the publication record.
In the event that allegations cannot be adequately addressed within the confines of Sedimentologika, a formal appeal process may be initiated at the level of the "Guild of Diamonds." This guild serves as an assembly that brings together editors and steering committee representatives from Diamond Open Access journals in the field of geoscience: members as of August 31, 2023, are Seismica, Tektonika, Geomorphica, and Sedimentologika. All documents pertinent to the dispute will be transmitted to the cross-journal committee under strict confidentiality measures. Comprising individuals devoid of voting privileges from Sedimentologika, this cross-journal committee will convene without voting members of Sedimentologika to deliberate and ultimately deliver a definitive verdict on the matter under appeal. The outcome of this decision will be communicated with the utmost diligence to all involved parties. It is important to acknowledge the collective representation of a consortium of Diamond Open Access Journals, signifying a shared dedication to the principles of scholarly integrity within the domain of geoscience.
For Steering Committee and Editorial Board Members
Sedimentologika is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment within sedimentology, stratigraphy and related fields while also safeguarding its community members from harassment and discrimination. The objective is to create a welcoming space where individuals can thrive. This Code of Conduct applies to all members of our steering committee and editorial board, ensuring their adherence to these principles. For concerns regarding allegations of improper behavior related to journal publications, a separate process is in place and detailed in Section B.
Sedimentologika is committed to upholding principles of equality and non-discrimination. We firmly oppose any form of bias based on race, color, ethnic origins, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, or disability. It is expected that all members of our steering committee and editorial board will actively foster a culture of scientific and research integrity, treating others with respect, fairness, and inclusivity, while avoiding conflicts of interest.
Any behavior that targets or causes harm to individuals or groups based on the aforementioned categories is deemed unacceptable and strictly prohibited by our Code of Conduct. It is the responsibility of anyone to promptly report any prohibited or unacceptable behavior exhibited by members of the steering committee and editorial board, doing so in good faith. This Code of Conduct must be upheld by all steering committee and editorial board members within any professional setting or workplace. Inappropriate behaviors include harassment of any form; physical, verbal, and written abuse; photographing, and recording others without their consent; displaying or distributing inappropriate images and recordings; emotional, professional, and financial threats.
Anyone subject to or witnessing behavior that constitutes a serious threat to public or individual safety or a criminal act should contact local law enforcement. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take the actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.
If you have been subject to or witnessed prohibited behavior, please report it to our e-mail (support@sedimentologika.org).
Reports will be received by an editor and a member of the steering committee. Subsequently, these individuals will establish a commission comprising four members, consisting of one executive editor and one steering member, as well as two independent members who are not affiliated with Sedimentologika, such as senior officers in a learned society. Should any of these individuals have personal or professional relationships (e.g., same affiliation, established collaborators) with any of the involved parties, they will recuse themselves, and suitable replacements will be assigned.
Within 21 days of receiving the report, the commission formed of four people will convene to thoroughly examine the matter and determine if any further action is warranted. If the need for additional measures is identified, a second meeting will be arranged, during which the subject of the inquiry will be invited to attend in order to address the raised concerns.
Following the meeting, a comprehensive summary report will be prepared, outlining the situation and presenting the commission's recommendations. This report will be shared with the editorial board and steering committee members, excluding the subject of the inquiry, to gather their input. The four-people commission's decision is not subject to negotiation and can only be rejected if at least two-thirds of the present editorial board and steering members deem it unsatisfactory. In such a case, the four-people commission will reconsider its decision in light of the feedback received, and a new edited decision will be presented again to the editors and steering members, excluding the subject of the inquiry. The same process will be followed, with the decision resulting from the second round of voting being final. Investigations should be concluded within 60 days of receiving the report. All investigations will be conducted with strict confidentiality.
Upon completion, the four people commission will prepare the final report, which will be shared with all relevant parties, including witnesses, to inform them that a decision has been reached. Sedimentologika retains the right to impose sanctions, such as written reprimand or warning, removal from Sedimentologika positions, or suspension from publishing in Sedimentologika. These sanctions may be temporary or permanent. In cases where the subject is found to have violated Sedimentologika's Code of Conduct, and sanctions are deemed necessary, Sedimentologika may also communicate the misconduct to affiliated societies, funding agencies, and the member's home institution(s) as part of the Journal's commitment to reporting prohibited behavior that contravenes non-discrimination and/or harassment policies.
Any party involved in an allegation (whether the accuser or the accused) has the right to appeal based on newly emerged facts after the conclusion of the investigation or in cases where procedural errors occurred. Appeals should be submitted via the aforementioned email address.
All individuals involved in a reported incident of alleged misconduct, including victims, witnesses, and those accused of engaging in prohibited behavior, are expected to refrain from engaging in retaliatory behavior during and after the reporting process. Victims or witnesses of retaliatory behavior following an investigation for breach of Sedimentologika’s Code of Conduct should report it via the aforementioned email address, as retaliatory behavior is considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct is into effect since November 2023. Moving forward, there will be no absolute statute of limitations for investigating violations of the Code of Conduct.
