Research Publication & ethics
Domain
Doctorate
Batch
05
Course Duration
2 Years
Commencement Date
March 2024
Application Closure Date
Closing Soon
Course objectives
- To define and explore the nature, scope, and branches of philosophy, with a focus on moral philosophy and ethical judgments.
- To analyze the principles of intellectual honesty and research integrity, including the identification and prevention of scientific misconduct such as falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism (FFP).
- To understand the significance of publication ethics, including best practices, standards, and guidelines from organizations like COPE and WAME, as well as issues related to authorship, contributorship, and conflicts of interest.
- To learn about the types and consequences of publication misconduct, how to identify violations, and the processes for handling complaints and appeals, including the challenges posed by predatory publishers.
- To gain familiarity with open access initiatives, copyright policies, and journal suggestion tools, along with software for identifying predatory publications and plagiarism detection.
- To develop skills in using indexing and citation databases (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus), and understanding research metrics (e.g., Impact Factor, h-index, altmetrics) to assess research impact and quality.
Course Outcomes:
- Students will gain a foundational understanding of philosophy, its branches, and the principles of ethics, including moral judgments and reactions.
- Students will comprehend the ethical considerations in science and research, focusing on intellectual honesty, research integrity, and recognizing various forms of scientific misconduct, such as falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism.
- Students will learn the importance of publication ethics, understand best practices and guidelines like COPE and WAME, and be able to identify and address issues related to publication misconduct, conflicts of interest, and predatory journals.
- Students will explore open access publication initiatives, understand copyright policies using resources like SHERPA/RoMEO, and utilize journal suggestion tools and software developed to identify predatory publications.
- students will engage in subject-specific ethical issues, exploring real-world examples of fraud and misconduct in research from both India and abroad, and learn to handle complaints and appeals.
- Students will become proficient in using databases like Web of Science and Scopus, and understand research metrics such as Impact Factor, h-index, and altmetrics, along with the use of plagiarism detection software like Turnitin and Urkund.
Detailed Syllabus:
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Unit I: Introduction to philosophy:
definition, nature and scope, concept, branches - Ethics: definition, moral philosophy, nature of moral judgments and reactions.
-
Unit II: Ethics with respect to science and research:
Intellectual honesty and research integrity - Scientific misconducts: Falsification, Fabrication and Plagiarism (FFP) - Redundant Publications: duplicate and overlapping publications, salami slicing - Selective reporting and misrepresentation of data.
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Unit III: Publication ethics:
definition, introduction and importance - Best practices / standards setting initiatives and guidelines: COPE, WAME, etc. - Conflicts of interest - Publication misconduct: definition, concept, problems that lead to unethical behavior and vice versa, types - Violation of publication ethics, authorship and contributorship - Identification of publication misconduct, complaints and appeals - Predatory publisher and journals.
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Unit IV: Open access publications and initiatives:
SHERPA/RoMEO online resource to check publisher copyright & self-archiving policies - Software tool to identify predatory publications developed by SPPU - Journal of journal suggestion tools viz. JANE, Elsevier Journal Finder, Springer, Journal Suggester, etc.
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Unit V: Group Discussion:
Subject specific ethical issues, FFP, authorship, Conflicts of interest c) Complaints and appeals: examples and fraud from India and abroad.
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Software tool:
Use of plagiarism software like Turnitin, Urkund and other open source software tools.
-
Databases and Research Metrics:
Indexing databases, Citation databases: Web of Science, Scopus, etc. Research Metrics : Impact Factor of journal as per Journal Citations Report, SNIP, SJR,IPP, Cite Score - Metrics: h-index, g index, i10 Index, altmetrics.
Text Books:
- Bird A 2006, Philosophy of Science, Routledge
- MacIntyre &Alasdair, 1967, A Short History of Ethics, London
- On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research, 2009, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine. 3rd edition, National Academies Press..
- "Research Ethics: A Philosophical Guide to the Responsible Conduct of Research" by Gary Comstock
- "Publication Ethics: A Comprehensive Overview" by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
Text Books:
- Nicholas H. Steneck. Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research. Office of Research Integrity. 2007.
- The Student's Guide to Research Ethics By Paul Oliver Open University Press, 2003
- Responsible Conduct of Research By Adil E. Shamoo; David B. Resnik Oxford University Press, 2003
- Ethics in Science Education, Research and Governance Edited by Kambadur Muralidhar, Amit Ghosh Ashok Kumar Singhvi. Indian National Science Academy, 2019. ISBN : 978-81-939482-1-7.
- Anderson B.H., Dursaton, and Poole M.: Thesis and assignment writing, Wiley Eastern 1997.

Dr. Ashutosh Kumar
Dr. Ashutosh Kumar is a seasoned professional with a robust Academic Research, Business Management, Information Technology, and education background. With over 18 years of Corporate & Teaching experience, primarily in Software Development, System Analysis, and Advanced Technology in the IT field. with various management programs at prestigious institutions like Rajasthan Technical University, the University of Kota, and Career Point University. Dr. Kumar has demonstrated expertise in areas such as research, strategic management of IT, human resource planning, and business ethics.
Dr. Kumar's academic qualifications include a PhD in Commerce and Management from Sangam University, an MBA in IT/HR from Rajasthan Technical University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Application from IGNOU. His career reflects a blend of corporate experience in software development and implementation and academic administration, where he has taken on roles such as Faculty Coordinator, Director of an incubator, and Convener for the Innovation Council at Career Point University. Additionally, he has guided Ph.D. candidates in research methodology and played a key role in the NAAC accreditation process.
His technical proficiency spans software development, database management, programming languages (C, C++, Java, and more), and networking protocols. Dr. Kumar has also published more than 18 research papers 5 book chapters & one patent in Crisis Management in Complex Organizations with extensive on digital teaching methodologies and the SEIR modelling of COVID-19 impacts, contributing to academic and applied research.
Currently, he is working as Kota Divisional Coordinator & Consultant for Rajasthan Centre of Advanced Technology, DoIT&C, GoR and empowering the college aspirants for Advanced Technology on various IT Platforms. Dr. Kumar’s active participation in seminars, conferences, and workshops, along with his contribution to multiple research publications and book chapters, showcases his commitment to both academic excellence and practical innovation. His leadership roles, especially in entrepreneurship and incubation activities, highlight his focus on fostering innovation and supporting startup ventures in academia & industry.
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