Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing

Publishing Ethics and Policies

Introduction

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing’s publishing ethics framework is guided by the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other internationally recognized standards for responsible research communication and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly book publishing. Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing’s publishing policies define the responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher to ensure that all published works meet internationally recognized standards of responsible research communication.

To integrate the ethical principles established by COPE into its publishing practices, Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing has established Standards of Conduct for Authors and Contributors and Editors, outlining the minimum expectations for ethical behaviour and responsible scholarly publishing. These standards guide all participants in the publishing process.

Standards of conduct for Authors

Standards of conduct for Editors

The integrity of scholarly publishing is increasingly challenged by practices such as paper mills and predatory publishing.
1. Paper mills are commercial entities that produce or sell authorship on fabricated or manipulated research manuscripts.
2. Predatory publishers are organizations that prioritize financial gain over scholarly integrity and often lack proper editorial oversight, transparent policies, or meaningful peer review.

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing does not engage in or collaborate with such practices. Manuscripts suspected to originate from paper mills, fabricated research, manipulated authorship arrangements, or unethical third-party agencies may be rejected or investigated.

The policies outlined here apply to all books, edited volumes, and chapters published by Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing.

Research Integrity and Ethical Standards

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing is committed to protecting the integrity of the scholarly record. All submissions must adhere to accepted standards of research ethics, transparency, and accuracy. Authors and editors must ensure that:

  • Research presented in the work is accurate and honestly reported.
  • Data and findings are presented truthfully without fabrication or falsification.
  • Proper credit is given to prior research and contributions.
  • Ethical approval has been obtained where required, particularly for research involving human subjects or animals.

Any concerns regarding research misconduct will be investigated by the publisher in accordance with established scholarly publishing ethics.

Authorship and Contributor Responsibilities

Authorship should reflect significant intellectual contributions to the work. Individuals listed as authors should have:

  • Contributed substantially to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation of the work.
  • Participated in drafting or revising the manuscript.
  • Approved the final version for publication.
  • Accepted responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the work.
  • Guest, honorary, or ghost authorship is not permitted.

For edited volumes, chapter authors retain responsibility for the accuracy and originality of their individual contributions.

Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts submitted to Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing must be original works. Authors must ensure that:

  • The work has not been previously published in the same form or language.
  • The manuscript does not contain plagiarism, including the reuse of text, images, or data without appropriate citation.
  • Any overlap with previously published material is properly disclosed.

The publisher may conduct similarity screening using plagiarism detection tools during the editorial process. Manuscripts found to contain substantial plagiarism may be rejected or withdrawn from publication.

Permissions and Third-Party Content

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are original and do not infringe the rights of third parties. Any material reproduced from other sources must be properly cited and used with appropriate permission where required. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any third-party content included in their work. Examples of third-party material include:

  • Figures or images
  • Tables
  • Photographs
  • Extended quotations
  • Previously published material

Written permission from the copyright holder must be obtained before publication unless the material falls within applicable copyright exceptions. Authors must provide documentation confirming permission where required.

Copyright and Licensing

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing adopts an author-retained copyright model for its publications. Under this arrangement:

  • The author retains full copyright ownership of their work.
  • The author grants Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing an exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, archive, and disseminate the work in print and other formats.
  • The publisher may exercise this license for the purposes of producing, distributing, and promoting the published work.
  • The author, as copyright holder, retains the right to be identified as the creator of the work in all editions and formats.

This model reflects the publisher’s commitment to respecting authors’ intellectual property rights while ensuring the publisher holds the necessary rights to bring the work to publication and circulation.

Any variation to this arrangement must be agreed upon in writing by both parties prior to signing the publishing agreement.

Peer Review and Editorial Evaluation

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing uses editorial and peer review processes to evaluate submissions. All manuscripts undergo mandatory independent peer review before acceptance, with no exceptions. Editors and reviewers must:

  • Maintain confidentiality regarding submitted manuscripts.
  • Evaluate submissions objectively and constructively.
  • Declare any conflicts of interest that may influence their judgment.

All information regarding submitted manuscripts is treated as confidential and must not be shared with third parties without permission.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, editors, and reviewers should disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the work. Potential conflicts may include:

  • Financial relationships with organizations related to the research/ topic
  • Institutional affiliations that may influence interpretation
  • Personal or professional relationships with contributors

Where necessary, such conflicts should be disclosed in the publication.

Corrections, Retractions, and Updates

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing is committed to maintaining the accuracy of the scholarly record. If significant errors or ethical concerns are discovered after publication, the publisher may take appropriate action, including:

  • Publishing corrections or errata
  • Issuing expressions of concern
  • Retracting a chapter or entire book where necessary

Retractions are issued in cases of serious problems such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or major ethical violations.

Artificial Intelligence and Automated Tools

The use of artificial intelligence tools in the preparation of manuscripts must be transparent. The authors shall be sensitive to the fact that Artificial intelligence tools may generate inaccurate or misleading information. Scholarly books are authored by experts of their respective fields and their contributions are expected to be their own original ideas and knowledge, rather than quick submission through AI generated content. The use of AI tools is recommended to be limited to assistance with language editing or formatting; however:

  • Any significant use of AI in the preparation of the manuscript should be disclosed where appropriate.
  • Authors must verify all AI-generated content for accuracy (especially references), ensure it reflects their original intellectual contribution.
  • AI systems must not be listed as authors.
  • Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the content.
  • The publisher reserves the right to not publish any material generated through AI tools.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Authors must ensure that their work complies with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to:

  • Copyright
  • Privacy
  • Research ethics
  • Patient confidentiality

The publisher reserves the right to decline or withdraw publication if legal or ethical concerns arise.

Complaints and Grievances

Concerns regarding editorial conduct, publication ethics, or other matters related to the publishing process may be communicated to:

grievances@wiltonclarke.com

All complaints will be reviewed and addressed with due consideration.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in publications issued by Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editors, or affiliated institutions. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published material, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of information contained in these publications.

Useful External Links

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Available from: https://publicationethics.org/
  2. Council of Science Editors (CSE).Recommendations for Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journal Publications. Available from: https://www.councilscienceeditors.org/recommendations-for-promoting-integrity-in-scientific-journal-publications

Last Updated: 21-March-2026