Publication Ethics
Last Updated: May 2025
1. Introduction
LegumCodex is committed to promoting responsible research, academic integrity, transparency, and ethical scholarly communication. This Publication Ethics Policy sets out the standards and expectations applicable to authors, editors, reviewers, members of the editorial team, and other contributors involved in the publication process.
LegumCodex welcomes original research and scholarly perspectives from a broad range of disciplines. Regardless of discipline, all submitted and published work is expected to meet appropriate standards of honesty, originality, accuracy, and ethical responsibility.
This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
2. Principles of Publication Ethics
LegumCodex is guided by the following principles:
Integrity — research and publication should be conducted honestly and responsibly.
Originality — submitted work should represent genuine and appropriately attributed scholarship.
Transparency — relevant information, relationships, and conflicts should be disclosed where appropriate.
Accountability — authors and those involved in the publication process are responsible for their respective contributions and decisions.
Fairness — submissions should be considered as fairly and objectively as reasonably possible.
Respect — contributors, research participants, readers, and other individuals should be treated with appropriate respect.
Confidentiality — unpublished submissions should be handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Accuracy — reasonable care should be taken to ensure that published information is accurate.
3. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are primarily responsible for the content of the work they submit to LegumCodex.
By submitting a manuscript, an author represents that, to the best of their knowledge:
The work is original;
The submission is not knowingly fraudulent or misleading;
Sources and contributions have been appropriately acknowledged;
The author has the right to submit the work;
The work does not unlawfully infringe the rights of another person;
Relevant information has not been deliberately falsified or fabricated.
Authors should take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of facts, data, citations, references, and conclusions presented in their work.
4. Originality and Plagiarism
LegumCodex does not accept plagiarism or other forms of inappropriate copying.
Authors must ensure that their work is original and that material created by others is properly:
Quoted;
Cited;
Referenced;
Acknowledged; or
Used with appropriate permission where required.
Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:
Presenting another person's work as one's own;
Copying substantial text without appropriate acknowledgement;
Using another person's ideas, research, data, or findings without proper attribution;
Submitting translated or modified work as entirely original without appropriate disclosure.
Where plagiarism or substantial unattributed copying is identified, LegumCodex may reject, investigate, correct, withdraw, or remove the relevant work as appropriate.
5. Duplicate and Redundant Publication
Authors should disclose if a submitted work:
Has already been published;
Is under consideration elsewhere;
Substantially overlaps with previously published work;
Is based on an earlier publication;
Has appeared in another format.
LegumCodex may consider previously available material in appropriate circumstances, but authors must provide clear and accurate information about prior publication or submission.
Submitting substantially identical work to multiple publications without appropriate disclosure may be considered unethical.
6. Authorship
Authorship should accurately reflect meaningful contributions to the work.
An author should generally have made a significant intellectual or scholarly contribution to the research or writing.
Individuals should not be listed as authors solely because of:
Their position;
Seniority;
Institutional status;
Personal relationship;
Financial support alone.
Similarly, individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions should not be deliberately excluded from appropriate recognition.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that all listed authors have agreed to the submission and, where applicable, the final version intended for publication.
7. Corresponding and Submitting Authors
Where a submission involves multiple authors, the person submitting the manuscript is responsible for ensuring, to the best of their knowledge, that:
All authors are aware of the submission;
Author information is accurate;
The order of authors has been appropriately agreed;
Relevant conflicts of interest have been disclosed;
Communication from LegumCodex is shared with relevant co-authors where appropriate.
8. Research Integrity
Authors must not knowingly engage in research misconduct.
Serious forms of research misconduct may include:
Fabrication
Making up data, results, evidence, interviews, or findings that did not actually exist.
Falsification
Manipulating research processes, materials, data, evidence, or results in a misleading manner.
Misrepresentation
Knowingly presenting false or misleading information about research, authorship, qualifications, affiliations, or findings.
Plagiarism
Using another person's work, ideas, or intellectual contribution without appropriate acknowledgement.
LegumCodex may investigate credible concerns relating to research integrity.
9. Data and Research Materials
Where research relies on data, authors should handle and present that data responsibly.
Authors should not knowingly:
Fabricate data;
Manipulate data to create misleading results;
Conceal material information where disclosure is necessary to understand the research;
Misrepresent the source or nature of data.
Where appropriate, authors should explain the methodology used to obtain, analyse, or interpret research materials.
LegumCodex may request clarification regarding data, methodology, or supporting information where reasonably necessary.
10. Research Involving Human Participants
Research involving human participants should be conducted with appropriate ethical consideration.
Where relevant, authors should ensure that:
Appropriate consent was obtained;
Privacy and confidentiality were respected;
Participants were treated fairly and respectfully;
Identifying information was protected where necessary;
Applicable institutional or legal requirements were followed.
Authors should disclose relevant ethical approval or oversight where such approval was required.
LegumCodex may request additional clarification where there are significant concerns about the ethical treatment of research participants.
11. Privacy and Confidentiality
Authors should respect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals referred to in their research.
Personal information should not be published unnecessarily.
Where personal or sensitive information is included, authors should ensure that they have an appropriate basis for including it.
Where necessary, identifying information should be:
Removed;
Anonymised;
Protected; or
Published only with appropriate permission.
12. Conflicts of Interest
Authors should disclose significant conflicts of interest that could reasonably influence, or appear to influence, the research or its interpretation.
A conflict of interest may arise from:
Financial relationships;
Employment;
Personal relationships;
Institutional interests;
Political or professional interests;
Other relevant circumstances.
The existence of a conflict does not automatically prevent publication. However, transparency may be necessary to allow readers and editors to properly evaluate the work.
13. Funding and Support
Where relevant, authors should acknowledge significant sources of funding or support connected to the research.
This may include:
Research grants;
Institutional funding;
Sponsorship;
Financial support;
Material support.
Funding information should not be intentionally concealed where it is relevant to understanding the research or potential conflicts of interest.
14. Citation and Referencing
Authors should make reasonable efforts to cite relevant sources accurately.
References should not be deliberately manipulated to:
Artificially increase citations;
Promote unrelated work;
Misrepresent the existing state of research;
Give inappropriate credit.
Authors should avoid citing sources they have not genuinely used or reviewed.
15. Use of Artificial Intelligence
Where artificial intelligence tools are used in the preparation of research or written material, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and content of the submitted work.
Authors should not use AI-generated content in a way that:
Fabricates research or data;
Creates false citations;
Misrepresents authorship;
Conceals significant errors;
Produces misleading information.
Where the use of AI has materially influenced the research methodology, analysis, or content, appropriate disclosure may be expected.
AI tools cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of a scholarly submission.
16. Responsibilities of Editors
Editors and members of the editorial team should carry out their responsibilities fairly and responsibly.
Editorial responsibilities may include:
Considering submissions objectively;
Maintaining appropriate confidentiality;
Identifying ethical concerns;
Requesting clarification where necessary;
Managing conflicts of interest;
Making or contributing to publication decisions.
Editorial decisions should be based primarily on factors relevant to the quality, integrity, relevance, clarity, and suitability of the work.
17. Editorial Independence
LegumCodex seeks to maintain appropriate editorial independence.
Editorial decisions should not improperly be influenced by:
Personal relationships;
Financial interests;
Author status;
Institutional prestige;
Political pressure;
External influence unrelated to the quality and integrity of the work.
LegumCodex recognises that fair editorial judgment requires decisions to be based on the merits of the submission as reasonably assessed through the applicable editorial process.
18. Confidentiality of Submissions
Unpublished submissions should be treated with appropriate confidentiality.
Information contained in an unpublished manuscript should not be disclosed unnecessarily to individuals who are not involved in the editorial or administrative process.
Editors and authorised personnel should not use confidential information from an unpublished submission for personal advantage.
Confidentiality may be limited where disclosure is:
Required by law;
Necessary to investigate serious misconduct;
Necessary to protect the platform or others from significant harm.
19. Conflicts of Interest for Editors
Editors and editorial team members should avoid participating in decisions where a significant conflict of interest exists.
Potential conflicts may arise where an editor has:
A close personal relationship with an author;
A direct financial interest;
A significant professional rivalry or dispute;
A direct involvement in the submitted research.
Where appropriate, the matter should be handled by another authorised editor or administrator.
20. Fair and Objective Assessment
LegumCodex aims to assess submissions fairly.
Submissions should not be improperly accepted or rejected because of an author's:
Nationality;
Gender;
Ethnicity;
Religion;
Personal background;
Institutional prestige;
Political viewpoint unrelated to the academic quality or legality of the submission.
Assessment should focus on the relevant merits and ethical acceptability of the work.
21. Peer Review and Editorial Review
Depending on the nature of a submission and the applicable editorial process, LegumCodex may use editorial review, external review, or other forms of assessment.
Where reviewers are involved, they should:
Treat submissions confidentially;
Evaluate work objectively;
Declare relevant conflicts of interest;
Avoid using unpublished information for personal benefit;
Provide comments that are relevant and respectful.
The precise review process may vary depending on the type of submission and available editorial arrangements.
22. Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers, where appointed, should make reasonable efforts to:
Review submissions objectively;
Identify significant concerns;
Provide constructive comments;
Respect confidentiality;
Avoid personal or discriminatory remarks;
Declare conflicts of interest.
Reviewers should not attempt to contact authors directly unless authorised through the relevant editorial process.
23. Respectful Scholarly Communication
LegumCodex supports rigorous debate and critical analysis.
However, research and scholarly discussion should not involve:
Personal harassment;
Unlawful threats;
Deliberate defamation;
Discriminatory abuse;
Deliberate misinformation;
Unnecessary disclosure of private information.
Critical academic disagreement is not itself unethical. Authors are encouraged to challenge ideas and arguments responsibly and with appropriate evidence.
24. Complaints and Ethical Concerns
Concerns relating to publication ethics may include allegations of:
Plagiarism;
Fabrication;
Falsification;
Authorship disputes;
Copyright concerns;
Undisclosed conflicts of interest;
Serious factual inaccuracies;
Other potential misconduct.
Concerns should be raised responsibly and supported by relevant information where possible.
LegumCodex may review credible concerns and, where appropriate, seek clarification from relevant individuals.
25. Investigating Ethical Concerns
The nature and scope of any investigation will depend on the circumstances.
LegumCodex may:
Review available evidence;
Contact the author;
Request clarification;
Consult relevant editorial personnel;
Request supporting documentation;
Take other reasonable steps.
We aim to approach concerns fairly. However, the available evidence and the nature of the issue may affect what action is possible.
26. Corrections
Where an error is identified in published material, LegumCodex may consider an appropriate correction.
Corrections may address:
Significant factual errors;
Incorrect author information;
Incorrect affiliations;
Citation errors;
Other material issues.
The appropriate method may include updating the publication or adding a correction notice.
27. Expressions of Concern
Where there are serious concerns about a publication but an investigation is incomplete or inconclusive, LegumCodex may consider providing an appropriate editorial notice or expression of concern.
Such measures may be used to promote transparency while further information is being considered.
28. Retraction or Withdrawal
Retraction, withdrawal, removal, or restriction of access may be considered in serious circumstances.
Examples may include:
Proven or substantial plagiarism;
Fabricated data;
Serious falsification;
Fraudulent authorship;
Serious legal concerns;
Major ethical violations.
The nature of the action taken will depend on the circumstances and the need to maintain an accurate publication record.
29. Post-Publication Issues
Publication does not prevent concerns from being raised later.
If credible concerns arise after publication, LegumCodex may review the matter and take appropriate editorial action.
Possible actions may include:
No action where concerns are unsupported;
Correction;
Editorial clarification;
Expression of concern;
Withdrawal or retraction where justified.
30. Complaints About Editorial Conduct
Authors or other individuals may raise concerns regarding editorial conduct where they believe that a significant issue has occurred.
Examples may include concerns relating to:
Undisclosed conflicts of interest;
Breach of confidentiality;
Serious unfair treatment;
Improper editorial conduct.
LegumCodex may review such concerns through appropriate administrative or editorial channels.
31. Ethical Responsibilities of All Contributors
All individuals involved with LegumCodex are expected to act responsibly and in good faith.
This includes:
Authors;
Editors;
Reviewers;
Editorial advisers;
Administrative personnel;
Other contributors.
No policy can anticipate every possible situation. Where an issue is not specifically addressed in this document, individuals should act in accordance with the broader principles of integrity, fairness, responsibility, and respect.
32. Independence of Authors' Views
The views, conclusions, arguments, and opinions expressed in published work belong to the respective authors.
Publication on LegumCodex does not necessarily mean that:
LegumCodex agrees with the author;
Editors endorse every argument;
Editorial board members share the views expressed;
Any affiliated institution endorses the publication.
Authors remain responsible for the content of their work.
33. Ethical Use of the Platform
Users must not use LegumCodex to:
Submit fraudulent research;
Misrepresent qualifications or affiliations;
Impersonate another person;
Upload material without appropriate authority;
Deliberately spread false information as research;
Harass or threaten others;
Circumvent editorial or technical procedures.
LegumCodex may take appropriate action where misuse is identified.
34. Continuous Improvement
Publication ethics and research standards may develop over time.
LegumCodex may review and update its ethical policies to reflect:
Changes in publication practices;
Developments in research ethics;
Legal requirements;
Improvements to editorial procedures;
Lessons learned from practical experience.
35. Changes to This Policy
This Publication Ethics Policy may be updated from time to time.
The most recent version will be made available on the LegumCodex website.
Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically.
36. Contact
Questions or concerns relating to publication ethics may be submitted through the appropriate Contact channel provided on the LegumCodex website.
When raising a serious ethical concern, individuals should provide sufficient information to allow the matter to be reasonably understood and reviewed.
Final Statement
LegumCodex is committed to supporting responsible research and maintaining a publication environment founded on integrity, fairness, originality, and respect.
Authors, editors, reviewers, and contributors each play an important role in protecting the quality and credibility of scholarly communication.
By submitting, reviewing, editing, publishing, or otherwise contributing to LegumCodex, individuals are expected to uphold the principles and standards described in this Publication Ethics Policy.
LegumCodex
Independent Research Publication Platform
Based in London · Open to Research from Around the World
1. Introduction
LegumCodex is committed to promoting responsible research, academic integrity, transparency, and ethical scholarly communication. This Publication Ethics Policy sets out the standards and expectations applicable to authors, editors, reviewers, members of the editorial team, and other contributors involved in the publication process.
LegumCodex welcomes original research and scholarly perspectives from a broad range of disciplines. Regardless of discipline, all submitted and published work is expected to meet appropriate standards of honesty, originality, accuracy, and ethical responsibility.
This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
2. Principles of Publication Ethics
LegumCodex is guided by the following principles:
Integrity — research and publication should be conducted honestly and responsibly.
Originality — submitted work should represent genuine and appropriately attributed scholarship.
Transparency — relevant information, relationships, and conflicts should be disclosed where appropriate.
Accountability — authors and those involved in the publication process are responsible for their respective contributions and decisions.
Fairness — submissions should be considered as fairly and objectively as reasonably possible.
Respect — contributors, research participants, readers, and other individuals should be treated with appropriate respect.
Confidentiality — unpublished submissions should be handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Accuracy — reasonable care should be taken to ensure that published information is accurate.
3. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are primarily responsible for the content of the work they submit to LegumCodex.
By submitting a manuscript, an author represents that, to the best of their knowledge:
The work is original;
The submission is not knowingly fraudulent or misleading;
Sources and contributions have been appropriately acknowledged;
The author has the right to submit the work;
The work does not unlawfully infringe the rights of another person;
Relevant information has not been deliberately falsified or fabricated.
Authors should take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of facts, data, citations, references, and conclusions presented in their work.
4. Originality and Plagiarism
LegumCodex does not accept plagiarism or other forms of inappropriate copying.
Authors must ensure that their work is original and that material created by others is properly:
Quoted;
Cited;
Referenced;
Acknowledged; or
Used with appropriate permission where required.
Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:
Presenting another person's work as one's own;
Copying substantial text without appropriate acknowledgement;
Using another person's ideas, research, data, or findings without proper attribution;
Submitting translated or modified work as entirely original without appropriate disclosure.
Where plagiarism or substantial unattributed copying is identified, LegumCodex may reject, investigate, correct, withdraw, or remove the relevant work as appropriate.
5. Duplicate and Redundant Publication
Authors should disclose if a submitted work:
Has already been published;
Is under consideration elsewhere;
Substantially overlaps with previously published work;
Is based on an earlier publication;
Has appeared in another format.
LegumCodex may consider previously available material in appropriate circumstances, but authors must provide clear and accurate information about prior publication or submission.
Submitting substantially identical work to multiple publications without appropriate disclosure may be considered unethical.
6. Authorship
Authorship should accurately reflect meaningful contributions to the work.
An author should generally have made a significant intellectual or scholarly contribution to the research or writing.
Individuals should not be listed as authors solely because of:
Their position;
Seniority;
Institutional status;
Personal relationship;
Financial support alone.
Similarly, individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions should not be deliberately excluded from appropriate recognition.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that all listed authors have agreed to the submission and, where applicable, the final version intended for publication.
7. Corresponding and Submitting Authors
Where a submission involves multiple authors, the person submitting the manuscript is responsible for ensuring, to the best of their knowledge, that:
All authors are aware of the submission;
Author information is accurate;
The order of authors has been appropriately agreed;
Relevant conflicts of interest have been disclosed;
Communication from LegumCodex is shared with relevant co-authors where appropriate.
8. Research Integrity
Authors must not knowingly engage in research misconduct.
Serious forms of research misconduct may include:
Fabrication
Making up data, results, evidence, interviews, or findings that did not actually exist.
Falsification
Manipulating research processes, materials, data, evidence, or results in a misleading manner.
Misrepresentation
Knowingly presenting false or misleading information about research, authorship, qualifications, affiliations, or findings.
Plagiarism
Using another person's work, ideas, or intellectual contribution without appropriate acknowledgement.
LegumCodex may investigate credible concerns relating to research integrity.
9. Data and Research Materials
Where research relies on data, authors should handle and present that data responsibly.
Authors should not knowingly:
Fabricate data;
Manipulate data to create misleading results;
Conceal material information where disclosure is necessary to understand the research;
Misrepresent the source or nature of data.
Where appropriate, authors should explain the methodology used to obtain, analyse, or interpret research materials.
LegumCodex may request clarification regarding data, methodology, or supporting information where reasonably necessary.
10. Research Involving Human Participants
Research involving human participants should be conducted with appropriate ethical consideration.
Where relevant, authors should ensure that:
Appropriate consent was obtained;
Privacy and confidentiality were respected;
Participants were treated fairly and respectfully;
Identifying information was protected where necessary;
Applicable institutional or legal requirements were followed.
Authors should disclose relevant ethical approval or oversight where such approval was required.
LegumCodex may request additional clarification where there are significant concerns about the ethical treatment of research participants.
11. Privacy and Confidentiality
Authors should respect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals referred to in their research.
Personal information should not be published unnecessarily.
Where personal or sensitive information is included, authors should ensure that they have an appropriate basis for including it.
Where necessary, identifying information should be:
Removed;
Anonymised;
Protected; or
Published only with appropriate permission.
12. Conflicts of Interest
Authors should disclose significant conflicts of interest that could reasonably influence, or appear to influence, the research or its interpretation.
A conflict of interest may arise from:
Financial relationships;
Employment;
Personal relationships;
Institutional interests;
Political or professional interests;
Other relevant circumstances.
The existence of a conflict does not automatically prevent publication. However, transparency may be necessary to allow readers and editors to properly evaluate the work.
13. Funding and Support
Where relevant, authors should acknowledge significant sources of funding or support connected to the research.
This may include:
Research grants;
Institutional funding;
Sponsorship;
Financial support;
Material support.
Funding information should not be intentionally concealed where it is relevant to understanding the research or potential conflicts of interest.
14. Citation and Referencing
Authors should make reasonable efforts to cite relevant sources accurately.
References should not be deliberately manipulated to:
Artificially increase citations;
Promote unrelated work;
Misrepresent the existing state of research;
Give inappropriate credit.
Authors should avoid citing sources they have not genuinely used or reviewed.
15. Use of Artificial Intelligence
Where artificial intelligence tools are used in the preparation of research or written material, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and content of the submitted work.
Authors should not use AI-generated content in a way that:
Fabricates research or data;
Creates false citations;
Misrepresents authorship;
Conceals significant errors;
Produces misleading information.
Where the use of AI has materially influenced the research methodology, analysis, or content, appropriate disclosure may be expected.
AI tools cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of a scholarly submission.
16. Responsibilities of Editors
Editors and members of the editorial team should carry out their responsibilities fairly and responsibly.
Editorial responsibilities may include:
Considering submissions objectively;
Maintaining appropriate confidentiality;
Identifying ethical concerns;
Requesting clarification where necessary;
Managing conflicts of interest;
Making or contributing to publication decisions.
Editorial decisions should be based primarily on factors relevant to the quality, integrity, relevance, clarity, and suitability of the work.
17. Editorial Independence
LegumCodex seeks to maintain appropriate editorial independence.
Editorial decisions should not improperly be influenced by:
Personal relationships;
Financial interests;
Author status;
Institutional prestige;
Political pressure;
External influence unrelated to the quality and integrity of the work.
LegumCodex recognises that fair editorial judgment requires decisions to be based on the merits of the submission as reasonably assessed through the applicable editorial process.
18. Confidentiality of Submissions
Unpublished submissions should be treated with appropriate confidentiality.
Information contained in an unpublished manuscript should not be disclosed unnecessarily to individuals who are not involved in the editorial or administrative process.
Editors and authorised personnel should not use confidential information from an unpublished submission for personal advantage.
Confidentiality may be limited where disclosure is:
Required by law;
Necessary to investigate serious misconduct;
Necessary to protect the platform or others from significant harm.
19. Conflicts of Interest for Editors
Editors and editorial team members should avoid participating in decisions where a significant conflict of interest exists.
Potential conflicts may arise where an editor has:
A close personal relationship with an author;
A direct financial interest;
A significant professional rivalry or dispute;
A direct involvement in the submitted research.
Where appropriate, the matter should be handled by another authorised editor or administrator.
20. Fair and Objective Assessment
LegumCodex aims to assess submissions fairly.
Submissions should not be improperly accepted or rejected because of an author's:
Nationality;
Gender;
Ethnicity;
Religion;
Personal background;
Institutional prestige;
Political viewpoint unrelated to the academic quality or legality of the submission.
Assessment should focus on the relevant merits and ethical acceptability of the work.
21. Peer Review and Editorial Review
Depending on the nature of a submission and the applicable editorial process, LegumCodex may use editorial review, external review, or other forms of assessment.
Where reviewers are involved, they should:
Treat submissions confidentially;
Evaluate work objectively;
Declare relevant conflicts of interest;
Avoid using unpublished information for personal benefit;
Provide comments that are relevant and respectful.
The precise review process may vary depending on the type of submission and available editorial arrangements.
22. Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers, where appointed, should make reasonable efforts to:
Review submissions objectively;
Identify significant concerns;
Provide constructive comments;
Respect confidentiality;
Avoid personal or discriminatory remarks;
Declare conflicts of interest.
Reviewers should not attempt to contact authors directly unless authorised through the relevant editorial process.
23. Respectful Scholarly Communication
LegumCodex supports rigorous debate and critical analysis.
However, research and scholarly discussion should not involve:
Personal harassment;
Unlawful threats;
Deliberate defamation;
Discriminatory abuse;
Deliberate misinformation;
Unnecessary disclosure of private information.
Critical academic disagreement is not itself unethical. Authors are encouraged to challenge ideas and arguments responsibly and with appropriate evidence.
24. Complaints and Ethical Concerns
Concerns relating to publication ethics may include allegations of:
Plagiarism;
Fabrication;
Falsification;
Authorship disputes;
Copyright concerns;
Undisclosed conflicts of interest;
Serious factual inaccuracies;
Other potential misconduct.
Concerns should be raised responsibly and supported by relevant information where possible.
LegumCodex may review credible concerns and, where appropriate, seek clarification from relevant individuals.
25. Investigating Ethical Concerns
The nature and scope of any investigation will depend on the circumstances.
LegumCodex may:
Review available evidence;
Contact the author;
Request clarification;
Consult relevant editorial personnel;
Request supporting documentation;
Take other reasonable steps.
We aim to approach concerns fairly. However, the available evidence and the nature of the issue may affect what action is possible.
26. Corrections
Where an error is identified in published material, LegumCodex may consider an appropriate correction.
Corrections may address:
Significant factual errors;
Incorrect author information;
Incorrect affiliations;
Citation errors;
Other material issues.
The appropriate method may include updating the publication or adding a correction notice.
27. Expressions of Concern
Where there are serious concerns about a publication but an investigation is incomplete or inconclusive, LegumCodex may consider providing an appropriate editorial notice or expression of concern.
Such measures may be used to promote transparency while further information is being considered.
28. Retraction or Withdrawal
Retraction, withdrawal, removal, or restriction of access may be considered in serious circumstances.
Examples may include:
Proven or substantial plagiarism;
Fabricated data;
Serious falsification;
Fraudulent authorship;
Serious legal concerns;
Major ethical violations.
The nature of the action taken will depend on the circumstances and the need to maintain an accurate publication record.
29. Post-Publication Issues
Publication does not prevent concerns from being raised later.
If credible concerns arise after publication, LegumCodex may review the matter and take appropriate editorial action.
Possible actions may include:
No action where concerns are unsupported;
Correction;
Editorial clarification;
Expression of concern;
Withdrawal or retraction where justified.
30. Complaints About Editorial Conduct
Authors or other individuals may raise concerns regarding editorial conduct where they believe that a significant issue has occurred.
Examples may include concerns relating to:
Undisclosed conflicts of interest;
Breach of confidentiality;
Serious unfair treatment;
Improper editorial conduct.
LegumCodex may review such concerns through appropriate administrative or editorial channels.
31. Ethical Responsibilities of All Contributors
All individuals involved with LegumCodex are expected to act responsibly and in good faith.
This includes:
Authors;
Editors;
Reviewers;
Editorial advisers;
Administrative personnel;
Other contributors.
No policy can anticipate every possible situation. Where an issue is not specifically addressed in this document, individuals should act in accordance with the broader principles of integrity, fairness, responsibility, and respect.
32. Independence of Authors' Views
The views, conclusions, arguments, and opinions expressed in published work belong to the respective authors.
Publication on LegumCodex does not necessarily mean that:
LegumCodex agrees with the author;
Editors endorse every argument;
Editorial board members share the views expressed;
Any affiliated institution endorses the publication.
Authors remain responsible for the content of their work.
33. Ethical Use of the Platform
Users must not use LegumCodex to:
Submit fraudulent research;
Misrepresent qualifications or affiliations;
Impersonate another person;
Upload material without appropriate authority;
Deliberately spread false information as research;
Harass or threaten others;
Circumvent editorial or technical procedures.
LegumCodex may take appropriate action where misuse is identified.
34. Continuous Improvement
Publication ethics and research standards may develop over time.
LegumCodex may review and update its ethical policies to reflect:
Changes in publication practices;
Developments in research ethics;
Legal requirements;
Improvements to editorial procedures;
Lessons learned from practical experience.
35. Changes to This Policy
This Publication Ethics Policy may be updated from time to time.
The most recent version will be made available on the LegumCodex website.
Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically.
36. Contact
Questions or concerns relating to publication ethics may be submitted through the appropriate Contact channel provided on the LegumCodex website.
When raising a serious ethical concern, individuals should provide sufficient information to allow the matter to be reasonably understood and reviewed.
Final Statement
LegumCodex is committed to supporting responsible research and maintaining a publication environment founded on integrity, fairness, originality, and respect.
Authors, editors, reviewers, and contributors each play an important role in protecting the quality and credibility of scholarly communication.
By submitting, reviewing, editing, publishing, or otherwise contributing to LegumCodex, individuals are expected to uphold the principles and standards described in this Publication Ethics Policy.
LegumCodex
Independent Research Publication Platform
Based in London · Open to Research from Around the World