Publication Ethics

Ethical Publication Responsibilities

Based on COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) Guidelines

1. Duties of Authors

Authors are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct in research and publication.

• Originality and Plagiarism
  Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. Any use of others’ work or words must be appropriately cited. Plagiarism in all forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.
• Data Accuracy and Integrity
  Authors must present accurate data and provide sufficient detail to allow reproducibility. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is unethical.
• Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
  Authors should not submit the same manuscript, or essentially the same research, to more than one journal simultaneously or publish redundant articles.
• Authorship and Contribution
  Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All contributors must be properly acknowledged, and all listed authors must approve the final manuscript.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
  Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of the results.
• Ethical Approval and Informed Consent
  Research involving human participants or animals must have appropriate ethical approval, and informed consent must be obtained where applicable. This must be clearly stated in the manuscript.
• Corrections and Retractions
  Authors have an obligation to promptly notify the journal if a significant error is discovered after publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

2. Duties of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of scholarly publishing.

• Confidentiality
  Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared or discussed with others without permission from the editor.
• Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
  Reviews should be conducted objectively, with clear arguments and constructive comments to improve the manuscript. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.
• Timeliness
  Reviewers should complete reviews within the agreed timeframe or notify the editor if delays are unavoidable.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
  Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest and decline to review manuscripts where such conflicts could compromise objectivity.
• Recognition of Ethical Issues
  Reviewers should alert editors to suspected ethical issues, including plagiarism, data manipulation, or redundant publication.

3. Duties of Editors

Editors are responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the publication process.

• Fair and Impartial Decision-Making
  Editors should evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance, without discrimination based on authors’ background or affiliations.
• Confidentiality
  Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities.
• Conflict of Interest Management
  Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.
• Ethical Oversight
  Editors must take appropriate action when ethical concerns are raised, following COPE flowcharts and guidelines for investigations, corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.
• Publication Integrity
  Editors are responsible for maintaining the scholarly record, correcting errors, and ensuring transparency in cases of misconduct.

4. Handling of Misconduct

The journal follows COPE procedures in responding to allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and unethical research practices. Investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and transparently, with appropriate corrective actions taken when necessary.

5. Commitment to Ethical Publishing

All parties involved—authors, reviewers, and editors—are expected to comply with these ethical standards to promote trust, transparency, and integrity in medical research and scholarly communication.