Publication Ethics

Ethics topics to consider when publishing:

  • Authorship of the paper: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.
  • Originality and plagiarism: The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the authors have used the work and/or words of others, that this has been appropriately cited or quoted.
  • Data access and retention: Authors may be asked to provide the raw data in connection with a paper for editorial review, and should be prepared to provide public access to such data.
  • Multiple, redundant, or concurrent publication: An author should not in general publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication.
  • Acknowledgment of sources: Proper acknowledgment.
  • Disclosure and conflicts of interest: All submissions must include disclosure of all relationships that could be viewed as presenting a potential conflict of interest.
  • Fundamental errors in published works: When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his/her own published work, it is the author's obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with the editor to retract or correct the paper.
  • Reporting standards: Authors of reports of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance.
  • Hazards and human or animal subjects: Statements of compliance are required if the work involves chemicals, procedures or equipment that have any unusual hazards inherent in their use, or if it involves the use of animal, or human subjects.
  • Use of patient images or case details: Studies on patients or volunteers require ethics committee approval and informed consent, which should be documented in the paper.

 

Duties of Editors:

  • Publication decision
  • Fair play
  • Confidentiality
  • Disclosure and conflicts of interest
  • Involvement and cooperation in investigations

 

Duties of Reviewers:

  • Contribution to editorial decision
  • Promptness
  • Confidentiality
  • Standards of objectivity
  • Acknowledgment of source
  • Disclosure and conflicts of interest

 

Duties of Authors:

  • Reporting standards
  • Data access and retention
  • Originality and plagiarism
  • Multiple, redundant, or concurrent publication
  • Acknowledgment of sources
  • Authorship of the paper
  • Hazards and human or animal subjects
  • Disclosure and conflicts of interest
  • Fundamental errors in published works

 

Duties of the Publisher:

  • We are committed to ensuring that advertising, reprint or other commercial revenue has no impact, or influence on editorial decisions.
  • We are working closely with other publishers and industry associations to set standards for best practices on ethical matters, errors, and retractions--and are prepared to provide specialized legal review and counsel if necessary.

 

Copyright Information:

Submission of a manuscript implies that:

1) The work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis).

2) It is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

3) Its publication has been approved by all coauthors if any, as well as by the responsible authorities at the institute where the work has been carried out.

4) Authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher, if and when their manuscript is accepted for publication.

5) The manuscript will not be published elsewhere.