Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of work of the author and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior.

Ethics topics to consider when publishing:

1. Authorship of the Paper:

1. • Limited to those who significantly contributed to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.

1. Originality and Plagiarism:

1. • Authors must ensure their work is entirely original and appropriately cite or quote the work of others.

1. Data Access and Retention:

1. • Authors may be required to provide raw data for editorial review and should be prepared for public data access.

1. Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication:

1. • Avoid publishing essentially the same research in multiple journals.
   • Specify instances that do not constitute prior publication.

1. Acknowledgment of Sources:

1. • Proper acknowledgment of all sources is mandatory.

1. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest:

1. • Authors must disclose all relationships that could be viewed as presenting a potential conflict of interest.

1. Fundamental Errors in Published Works:

1. • Authors should promptly notify editors of significant errors or inaccuracies and cooperate in retraction or correction.

1. Reporting Standards:

1. • Present an accurate account of the research performed and provide an objective discussion of its significance.

1. Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects:

1. • Compliance statements required for work involving hazardous materials, procedures, equipment, or the use of animal or human subjects.

1. Use of Patient Images or Case Details:

1. • Studies involving patients or volunteers require ethics committee approval and documented informed consent.

Duties of Editors:

Fair Play and Editorial Independence:

1. • Evaluate manuscripts based on academic merit and relevance, without bias.
   • Decisions should not be influenced by external factors, and the Editor-in-Chief has full authority.

2. Confidentiality:

1. • Keep information about submitted manuscripts confidential, sharing it only with relevant parties.

3. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest:

1. • Avoid using unpublished information for personal research without consent.
   • Maintain confidentiality and recuse from handling manuscripts with conflicts of interest.

4. Publication Decisions:

1. • Ensure peer review for all submitted manuscripts.
   • The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for final publication decisions based on validation, importance, and legal requirements.

5. Involvement in Investigations:

1. • Collaborate in ethical investigations and take responsive measures to address concerns about submitted or published content.

Additional Duties of Editors:

6. Contribution to Editorial Decisions:

1. • Use peer review to make informed editorial decisions and assist authors in improving their manuscripts.

7. Promptness:

1. • Referees should promptly notify editors if they cannot review a manuscript to facilitate alternative arrangements.

8. Standards of Objectivity:

1. • Reviews should be objective, with clear and supportive arguments. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.

9. Acknowledgement of Sources:

1. • Identify relevant published work not cited by authors.
   • Notify editors of any substantial similarity between the manuscript and other works.

10. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest for Reviewers:

1. • Referees should declare conflicts of interest and decline review invitations if they have connections to the manuscript or authors.
   • Confidentiality of peer review must be maintained, and privileged information should not be used for personal advantage.

 Duties of Authors:

1. Reporting Standards:

1. • Present an accurate account of the work performed and the results.
   • Provide sufficient detail and references for others to replicate the work.
   • Differentiate between review articles, objective research, and opinion pieces.

2. Data Access and Retention:

1. • Be prepared to provide raw data for editorial review.
   • Make data publicly available if possible and ensure accessibility for at least 10 years.

3. Originality and Plagiarism:

1. • Submit entirely original work and appropriately cite others.
   • Plagiarism in any form is considered unethical and unacceptable.

4. Submission/Publication Ethics:

1. • Avoid submitting the same research to multiple journals.
   • Seek agreement for secondary publication and cite the primary reference.

5. Authorship Criteria:

1. • Only individuals meeting specific criteria should be listed as authors.
   • Acknowledge contributions of those not meeting authorship criteria in the “Acknowledgements” section.

6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest:

1. • Disclose conflicts of interest that may influence results or interpretation.
   • Include financial and non-financial disclosures and sources of financial support.

7. Acknowledgment of Sources:

1. • Properly acknowledge the work of others and cite influential publications.
   • Obtain explicit written permission before using information obtained privately.

8. Hazards and Human/Animal Subjects:

1. • Identify hazards inherent in the use of chemicals, procedures, or equipment.
   • Ensure compliance with laws and institutional guidelines for work involving animals or human participants.

9. Peer Review:

1. • Participate in the peer review process.
   • Respond promptly to editors’ requests for data, clarifications, and revisions.

10. Fundamental Errors:

1. • Promptly notify editors of significant errors or inaccuracies in published works.
   • Cooperate with editors to correct or retract the paper when necessary.

Duties of a Publisher:

1. Handling Unethical Publishing Behavior’s:

1. • Collaborate with editors to address alleged or proven scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication, or plagiarism.
   • Take appropriate measures, such as publishing errata, clarifications, or retractions as needed.
   • Work with editors to identify and prevent the publication of papers involving research misconduct.
   • Avoid encouraging or knowingly allowing research misconduct to occur.

2. Access to Journal Content:

1. • Commit to the permanent availability and preservation of scholarly research.
   • Ensure accessibility by establishing partnerships with organizations and maintaining a digital archive.