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

3. 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

4. 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