Author Policies

  1. Rights and Grants to the Author
  2. Data Sharing Policy
  3. Author’s Agreement Form
  4. Withdrawal Policy
  5. APC Waiver Policy
  6. Licensing Policy
  7. Submission of Manuscript
  8. Complaints Policy
  9. Open Access Policy
  10. Article Processing Charge
  11. Manuscript Preparation
  12. Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent
  13. Copyright Policy
  14. Check List
  15. Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy
  16. Plagiarism Policy
  17. Human and Animal Rights Policy
  18. Sample Paper
  19. Digital Preservation
  20. English Language Editing

 

  1. Rights and Grants to the Author

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) affirms that authors retain the copyright to their original work. However, by submitting a manuscript, authors grant the journal an exclusive or non-exclusive license to publish the manuscript. The journal is permitted to disseminate the article in any format (including print, digital, and electronic) and to use the article for promotional and educational purposes. Authors are encouraged to ensure that their work does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. The rights granted to the journal allow it to publish, distribute, and promote the article for the life of the publication.

Any grants of rights or licenses to authors should be explicitly defined in the Author’s Agreement Form and may vary depending on the nature of the manuscript or special permissions. Authors are required to acknowledge and protect the work from unauthorized copying, distribution, and use. The journal supports open access, and authors may retain the right to reuse content in their own further research with appropriate citation.

It is also crucial for authors to clarify any funding, grants, or sponsorships received for the study or article, as this affects transparency and potential conflicts of interest. In cases where the article undergoes significant revision or retraction, the grant of rights will be revisited in accordance with the journal’s withdrawal policy.

2. Data Sharing Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters adheres to a transparent and rigorous data sharing policy to enhance scientific reproducibility and collaboration. Authors submitting research articles to IJPSL must ensure that any relevant data underlying their findings is available to the journal’s editors and reviewers during the peer review process. Upon acceptance, the corresponding author is required to make all relevant data publicly available through a recognized data repository, unless restrictions apply due to confidentiality agreements, privacy concerns, or commercial considerations.

The data should be submitted in a manner that is accessible and comprehensible for other researchers to reuse, validate, or build upon the study. This includes making raw data (such as numerical data, experimental results, and analyses) accessible, along with any related protocols, methodologies, and software tools that were essential to the study. If authors are unable to share certain data due to legal or ethical constraints, they must explain these reasons clearly in the manuscript submission.

Authors are also expected to adhere to national and international data protection laws, especially when dealing with sensitive or personal data. The journal provides guidelines on how to deposit data in a secure, open-access repository and encourages the use of open data platforms, such as Dryad, Figshare, or institutional repositories. The goal is to improve the transparency and reliability of research findings while ensuring that appropriate data privacy and intellectual property concerns are respected.

3. Author’s Agreement Form

The Author’s Agreement Form is a critical document in the publication process for the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters. It serves as a legal contract between the authors and the journal, outlining the terms and conditions under which the manuscript is submitted and published. By signing the form, authors agree to the journal’s policies, including its peer review process, copyright, and open-access requirements. It ensures that authors have the necessary rights to their manuscript and that the article complies with ethical standards in terms of authorship, conflicts of interest, and research integrity.

The form typically includes declarations related to originality, ethical conduct of research, and disclosure of any conflicts of interest or financial support received for the study. Authors are also required to confirm that the manuscript has not been submitted elsewhere for publication, and that they are fully responsible for the content and the accuracy of the manuscript.

Additionally, the form outlines the journal’s rights regarding article processing charges (APC) and the open access licensing model, including Creative Commons licenses. Authors must acknowledge their understanding of how their article will be published, and in the case of multiple authors, the corresponding author takes responsibility for ensuring all co-authors have consented to the publication.

The Author’s Agreement Form must be completed before submission, as it is a critical part of the manuscript evaluation and acceptance process.

4. Withdrawal Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) has a clear policy regarding manuscript withdrawal, which is designed to ensure the integrity and transparency of the publication process. Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript at any stage before formal acceptance. However, they must submit a written request to the editorial office, clearly stating their reasons for withdrawal. Upon approval of the request, the manuscript will be withdrawn, and the submission process will be officially terminated.

After acceptance, withdrawal is generally not allowed unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as serious ethical issues or evidence of plagiarism or data falsification. In such cases, the editorial team reserves the right to retract the article if it has been published.

Authors are also advised that if they withdraw a manuscript after the peer review process has started, they may be subject to a penalty fee to cover the costs incurred during the review process. The journal takes a strong stance on research integrity and transparency, and any attempts to withdraw manuscripts for non-substantial reasons could lead to a refusal of future submissions.

If a manuscript is withdrawn, authors must ensure that it is not submitted to another journal for consideration until the issue is resolved. This helps prevent any form of duplicate publication or misrepresentation.

5. APC Waiver Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters recognizes that some researchers, especially those from low-income countries or underfunded institutions, may face financial barriers in paying article processing charges (APC). In order to support global knowledge dissemination, the journal offers an APC waiver policy for eligible authors. This policy aims to ensure that the financial aspect of publication does not hinder the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

To apply for an APC waiver, authors must submit a request at the time of manuscript submission, providing appropriate documentation or justification of financial need, such as affiliation with a low-income country or lack of research funding. The editorial board will evaluate the request on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of the author and the quality of the submitted manuscript. In cases where the waiver is granted, the author is not required to pay the APC, ensuring that they can still benefit from the open access publication model.

However, the APC waiver policy does not affect the peer review process or the quality of the editorial evaluation. All manuscripts are evaluated based on their scientific merit, irrespective of whether a waiver is granted. The journal encourages equitable access to research and aims to make high-quality pharmaceutical sciences research available to researchers and readers around the world, regardless of their financial situation.

6. Licensing Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters follows an open-access publishing model, allowing free access to its published articles. Upon acceptance, authors are required to select a licensing model for their work. The journal typically offers a Creative Commons (CC) license, which allows others to freely use, distribute, and adapt the work as long as the original authorship is appropriately credited. Authors may choose from various types of Creative Commons licenses, including the CC BY (Attribution), CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial), or CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives) license.

Under a Creative Commons license, authors maintain the copyright to their work, and the journal has the right to distribute the article in perpetuity through its online platform and other channels. This model ensures that the article is widely accessible and can be used for educational and research purposes. The journal’s licensing policy also includes provisions that protect the intellectual property rights of the authors while allowing the broader scientific community to freely access and build upon their work.

Before submitting the manuscript, authors must confirm that they are aware of and agree with the licensing options available, and they must select the most suitable license for their publication. The journal emphasizes that the selected license type should be aligned with the author’s goals regarding the reuse and sharing of their research.

7. Submission of Manuscript

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) has a comprehensive manuscript submission policy designed to ensure that all submitted articles meet the journal’s standards of quality and ethics. Authors are required to submit their manuscripts through the journal’s online submission system, which facilitates the peer review and editorial processes. Upon submission, authors are expected to provide a complete manuscript, including the title, abstract, main text, references, tables, figures, and supplementary materials, all formatted according to the journal's guidelines.

Manuscripts should be original, not published elsewhere, and should not be under consideration for publication in any other journal during the review process. Authors are also expected to provide a conflict of interest statement, a detailed list of funding sources, and a declaration of ethics compliance, including approval from relevant institutional review boards (IRBs) if applicable.

The journal uses a double-blind peer review process, meaning that both authors and reviewers are anonymous to each other. This helps reduce bias in the evaluation of the manuscript. Upon submission, manuscripts are first reviewed by the editorial team for compliance with the journal’s scope and formatting requirements. If the manuscript meets the initial criteria, it will be sent for peer review.

The manuscript should also adhere to ethical standards in research, particularly in terms of human and animal rights, plagiarism, and data integrity. The submission system allows authors to track the status of their submission and receive timely feedback from reviewers and editors.

8. Complaints Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) has a clearly defined complaints policy to address any concerns raised by authors, reviewers, or readers regarding the publication process. The journal is committed to handling complaints in a fair, transparent, and efficient manner. Complaints can arise in relation to various aspects of the publication process, such as the peer review process, editorial decisions, issues related to ethical conduct, or any perceived misconduct during the manuscript handling process.

Authors or reviewers who wish to file a complaint are encouraged to do so in writing, providing as much detail as possible regarding the issue. The editorial board will investigate the complaint thoroughly and impartially. If the complaint relates to the handling of a manuscript, the editor-in-chief or managing editor will review the matter and may involve the editorial board if necessary.

In cases of alleged ethical misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, authorship disputes), the journal will follow established procedures, such as those recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Depending on the outcome of the investigation, actions may include the rejection of the manuscript, retraction of an article, or publication of a correction or clarification.

The journal assures all parties involved that complaints will be treated confidentially and resolved promptly. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the resolution, they may appeal the decision through the journal's formal appeals process.

9. Open Access Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) adheres to a strict open access policy that promotes the free availability of research findings to a global audience. All articles published in the journal are made freely available online upon publication, ensuring that anyone can access, read, and download the full-text content without any subscription or payment barriers. This open access model supports the dissemination of high-quality pharmaceutical sciences research to a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and policy makers.

The journal follows the principles outlined by the Budapest Open Access Initiative, emphasizing the importance of removing financial and legal barriers to accessing scholarly research. In order to maintain this open access model, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) after the manuscript is accepted for publication. However, the journal provides waivers or discounts for authors from low-income countries or those without sufficient funding.

By publishing open access, the IJPSL supports the idea of research transparency and global collaboration, allowing others to reuse and build upon the published work. The journal encourages authors to choose a Creative Commons (CC) license for their work, providing further permission for reuse and redistribution with appropriate attribution.

10. Article Processing Charge (APC)

To maintain its open-access model, the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance of a manuscript. The APC helps cover the costs associated with the peer review process, editing, typesetting, and online publication of the article. The exact amount of the APC is specified on the journal’s website and may vary depending on factors such as manuscript type and length.

Authors are informed of the APC fee at the time of manuscript submission, and payment is due only after the manuscript has been accepted for publication. The APC can be paid via various methods, including credit card or bank transfer. If an author is unable to cover the APC, the journal offers waiver options, particularly for authors from low-income countries or those who lack sufficient research funding. Authors can apply for an APC waiver during the manuscript submission process by providing justification for their financial need.

The APC system ensures that the journal remains financially sustainable while keeping all content freely accessible to readers. Authors should be aware that the APC is applicable regardless of the type of article (e.g., research, review, short communication) and that the journal’s open-access policy is designed to maximize the visibility and impact of their research.

11. Manuscript Preparation

Authors submitting manuscripts to the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) must adhere to specific formatting and preparation guidelines to ensure consistency and clarity in the published articles. Manuscripts should be written in English and formatted according to the journal's submission template, which is available on the website. The following sections are typically required: title, abstract, keywords, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgments, and references.

The abstract should provide a concise summary of the research, including the objectives, methods, key findings, and conclusions. Authors should use clear and precise language throughout the manuscript, avoiding unnecessary jargon. Tables and figures must be numbered consecutively and should include clear, descriptive titles and captions. High-quality images are encouraged, and data presented in tables and figures should be accompanied by a detailed explanation in the text.

The manuscript must also include references formatted according to the journal’s citation style, typically a modified version of the American Medical Association (AMA) citation style or another style consistent with scientific literature. Citations should be limited to relevant and recent sources.

In addition, authors must ensure that the manuscript complies with ethical guidelines, including proper citation of sources, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and adherence to the journal's policies on plagiarism and data integrity. Manuscripts that do not follow the guidelines may be returned to authors for revisions before being considered for peer review.

12. Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) upholds the highest ethical standards when it comes to research involving human participants or patients. Authors are required to confirm that they have obtained informed consent from all participants in their study, and that the study complies with relevant ethical guidelines and institutional review board (IRB) approvals. This includes ensuring that participants' personal data are anonymized or de-identified to protect their privacy.

When reporting clinical trials or patient data, authors must ensure that no personally identifiable information (PII) is included in the manuscript unless explicit consent has been obtained from the individuals involved. If images, video, or identifiable data are included, authors must submit a signed consent form from the participants granting permission for publication.

For studies involving vulnerable populations or sensitive information, additional precautions may be required. The journal emphasizes the importance of transparency in ethical compliance, and authors should clearly state the ethical approval number and the review board that granted permission for the research.

13. Copyright Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) operates under a copyright policy that protects the intellectual property of both authors and the journal. Upon acceptance of a manuscript, authors are required to transfer the copyright of their work to the journal or grant the journal an exclusive license to publish the article. This ensures that the journal has the rights to distribute the article worldwide and in various formats (including print, digital, and open access).

Authors are still free to reuse parts of their work in future publications, provided that proper attribution is given to the original publication. The journal encourages authors to select an open-access license, such as Creative Commons, to facilitate the free reuse and distribution of their work.

In cases of reprints or adaptations, authors must receive prior permission from the journal, and appropriate credit must be given to the original publication. Any infringement on copyright or intellectual property rights will be taken seriously, and the journal will take appropriate measures to address violations, including retraction of articles if necessary.

14. Check List

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) provides a detailed checklist to guide authors through the manuscript submission process. The checklist is designed to help authors ensure that their submissions are complete and comply with the journal's formatting and ethical standards. This not only aids in speeding up the submission process but also ensures that manuscripts are ready for peer review.

Key items on the checklist include:

  • Manuscript Formatting: Ensure that the manuscript adheres to the journal’s required format, including text, tables, and figures. Authors should use the journal's template for consistency.
  • Abstract and Keywords: The manuscript should include a concise abstract (usually between 150-250 words) and 3-5 relevant keywords.
  • Authorship Details: The correct listing of authors and their affiliations, as well as a statement regarding the contribution of each author.
  • References: All references should be formatted according to the journal's citation style and must be checked for accuracy.
  • Ethics Compliance: Authors must confirm that the study complies with ethical guidelines (including animal/human rights), and provide approval numbers and details where applicable.
  • Conflict of Interest: A statement disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.
  • Informed Consent: If applicable, the manuscript must state that informed consent was obtained from participants.
  • Data Availability: Authors must confirm that they are willing to share underlying data if required.

By following this checklist, authors ensure that their submissions meet the journal’s editorial and ethical standards, reducing delays in the review and publication process.

15. Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) maintains a policy on errata, retractions, and corrigenda to preserve the integrity of the scientific record. Errors and issues in published articles, whether they are typographical, factual, or significant errors, are addressed transparently.

  • Errata: If minor errors are found post-publication (e.g., typographical errors, small miscalculations), the journal may issue an erratum to correct the published article. The erratum will be linked to the original article, and the correction will be made clear to readers.
  • Corrigenda: If the author identifies an error in the published article that requires correction but does not significantly alter the conclusions of the study, a corrigendum may be issued. Like errata, the corrigendum will be linked to the original article and will specify the error and the correction.
  • Retractions: If serious issues are discovered after publication, such as ethical violations (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication, or other misconduct) or falsification of results, the article may be retracted. Retractions are publicly posted, and the reason for the retraction will be clearly stated. The journal follows guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding retractions.
  • Retracted Articles: Retracted articles will remain available to the public but will be marked as retracted. This ensures transparency in the scientific record.

The goal of the errata, retraction, and corrigenda policy is to ensure that any errors are corrected promptly and that the integrity of the journal’s content is upheld.

16. Plagiarism Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and takes all instances of plagiarism seriously. Manuscripts submitted to the journal are checked for originality using advanced plagiarism detection tools such as Turnitin or iThenticate.

  • Definition: Plagiarism includes the use of others' work, ideas, or text without proper citation or acknowledgment. This includes both direct copying of text and the use of paraphrased ideas without appropriate referencing.
  • Prevention: Authors are advised to properly cite all sources used in the preparation of their manuscript, including unpublished works, data, and ideas. The journal encourages authors to check their own manuscripts for plagiarism before submission.
  • Consequences: If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript may be rejected outright, and if the plagiarism is discovered post-publication, the article may be retracted. The journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in handling cases of plagiarism, and sanctions may extend to barring authors from submitting to the journal in the future.
  • Transparency: The journal aims for a transparent approach to plagiarism, ensuring that any incidents are handled with due diligence, and the scientific community is made aware of unethical practices.

The journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, and its plagiarism policy is integral to maintaining the quality and credibility of the scientific record.

17. Human and Animal Rights Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) is committed to the ethical conduct of research involving human and animal subjects. The journal requires authors to comply with international and national guidelines regarding human and animal rights in research.

  • Human Research: All studies involving human participants must adhere to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, including obtaining informed consent from all participants. The manuscript should include a statement confirming that ethical approval was obtained from an appropriate institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. The journal also requires a statement regarding participant confidentiality and data protection.
  • Animal Research: Studies involving animals must comply with international guidelines on the humane treatment of animals in research, such as those outlined by the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS). The manuscript should state that ethical approval was obtained from an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) or similar body. Furthermore, the study must ensure that animal welfare was prioritized and that the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) were applied.

Any failure to comply with these standards may result in the rejection of the manuscript. The journal expects authors to be transparent about their research methods and to demonstrate that all necessary ethical approvals were obtained before the study was conducted.

18. Sample Paper

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) provides a sample paper to help authors understand the correct formatting and structure for manuscript submission. The sample paper includes guidance on the following:

  • Title page formatting, including author names and affiliations.
  • Correct structure for abstract, keywords, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.
  • Guidelines for tables, figures, and other supplementary materials.
  • Instructions on citation and referencing style.

The sample paper is available on the journal's website and can be downloaded to ensure that authors follow the correct formatting guidelines. Following the sample paper template helps streamline the submission process, reducing delays and improving the chances of successful acceptance.

19. Digital Preservation

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) ensures long-term digital preservation of all its articles to safeguard their accessibility in perpetuity. The journal collaborates with digital archiving services such as LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) and CLOCKSS (Controlled Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe), which are widely recognized for maintaining the long-term preservation of scholarly content.

Additionally, all published articles are assigned a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), which provides a permanent and stable link to the content, ensuring that the article remains accessible even if the URL changes. The DOI system is widely used in academic publishing to ensure articles are easily retrievable and citeable in the future.

The journal also takes measures to ensure its content is preserved in institutional repositories, open-access platforms, and other relevant archives. This ensures that the research remains available to the scientific community and the public, contributing to the wider dissemination of knowledge.

20 . English Language Editing

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Letters (IJPSL) understands that clarity and quality of writing are essential for effective scientific communication. To help authors who may not be native English speakers, the journal offers an English language editing service. This service provides professional language editing to ensure that the manuscript meets the journal's high standards of readability, grammar, and style.

Authors can choose to use the language editing service during the submission process. The service includes proofreading for spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation errors, as well as improving sentence structure and flow. The edited manuscript is then returned to the author with suggestions for improvement.

While the journal encourages authors to have their manuscripts professionally edited if necessary, this service is optional. Authors are responsible for ensuring that the final submitted manuscript is clear, well-written, and free from errors. The journal’s editorial team will review the manuscript for overall language quality, but major issues may lead to the manuscript being returned for revision.