Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest Policy

  1. Definition:
    A conflict of interest is any financial, professional, academic, or personal relationship that might affect — or appear to affect — the objectivity of the research, review, or editorial process.

  2. Authors' Responsibilities:
    • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts on the submission form.
    • Examples include:

  • Funding from parties with interest in the results

  • Professional or family ties to stakeholders in the research

  • Contributions from companies with commercial interest in the outcomes

  1. Reviewers and Editors' Responsibilities:
    • Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves from handling a manuscript if there is a potential conflict (e.g., recent collaboration, same institution)
    • Reviewers must notify the editorial board immediately if a conflict arises

  2. Failure to Disclose:
    • If undisclosed conflicts are discovered later:

  • The manuscript may be rejected or retracted

  • A clarification or correction notice may be published depending on the case