Publication Ethics

The Journal of Translational Research is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing. This Publication Ethics Policy outlines the responsibilities and expectations for authors, reviewers, editors, and the editorial team to ensure the integrity and quality of the research published in the journal.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors:

  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that the work they submit is original and has not been published elsewhere. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. All sources, including data, figures, and ideas, should be properly attributed and cited.

  • Data Integrity: Authors must ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data presented in their manuscripts. Any manipulation, falsification, or fabrication of data will result in the rejection of the manuscript and may lead to further action, including retraction of published work.

  • Authorship Criteria: Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All authors listed on the manuscript must meet these criteria. Authors must also confirm that all co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.

  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that may influence the research or its interpretation. This includes any funding sources or affiliations that could be seen as a potential conflict.

  • Ethical Approval for Human and Animal Studies: For studies involving human participants or animals, authors must provide proof of ethical approval from a relevant institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. Informed consent must be obtained from human participants, and authors should ensure that animals are treated in accordance with ethical guidelines.

  • Acknowledgement of Sources: Authors must properly acknowledge all sources and contributions that have supported their research. This includes not only cited works but also individuals who have made significant contributions but do not qualify for authorship.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers:

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not disclose any information regarding the manuscript to others or use the content for personal gain.

  • Objectivity: Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts objectively, basing their judgments solely on the scientific merit and relevance of the work. Personal relationships or bias against the authors should not influence the review.

  • Constructive Feedback: Reviewers should provide constructive, respectful, and specific feedback that will help authors improve their manuscripts. Reviewers are encouraged to suggest improvements, identify potential flaws, and highlight areas where additional information or clarification is needed.

  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should decline to review a manuscript if they have a conflict of interest with the author(s) or the content of the manuscript. Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the editorial team before accepting the review request.

  • Timeliness: Reviewers should complete their reviews within the agreed-upon timeframe. If unable to meet the deadline, reviewers should notify the editorial office promptly to allow for alternative arrangements.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors:

  • Fairness and Transparency: Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based solely on the scientific quality, relevance, and integrity of the manuscript. Editorial decisions should be free of personal bias, and the editor should ensure that the peer review process is fair and transparent.

  • Confidentiality: Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential. They must not disclose any information about the manuscript, including reviewers’ identities, to third parties unless involved in the editorial process.

  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may influence their decision-making. If an editor has a conflict of interest, they should recuse themselves from the decision-making process for that manuscript.

  • Ethical Oversight: Editors are responsible for investigating any allegations of research misconduct, such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical research practices. If such issues arise, the editor should follow the COPE guidelines for handling such cases.

  • Publication Decisions: Editors make the final decision on whether a manuscript is accepted for publication, based on reviewer feedback, scientific merit, and ethical considerations.

  • Handling Corrections and Retractions: If errors or ethical violations are identified post-publication, editors must take appropriate actions, including issuing corrections, retractions, or clarifications in accordance with the COPE guidelines.

4. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Human and Animal Subjects:

  • Ethical Approval: For studies involving human participants, authors must provide a statement that the research has been approved by an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB). Informed consent must be obtained from all human participants, and the manuscript must include this statement.

  • Animal Research: Research involving animals must be conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for animal care and use. Authors must provide a statement of approval from an animal ethics committee or equivalent body and ensure that the research adheres to ethical standards for animal welfare.

5. Handling of Ethical Violations:

  • Investigation of Allegations: If a manuscript is found to involve plagiarism, falsification, or other ethical violations, the journal will investigate the allegation thoroughly. This includes gathering information from the author(s) and taking appropriate action, such as rejecting the manuscript or retracting a published article.

  • Retraction and Correction: If ethical violations or significant errors are discovered after publication, the journal will issue corrections, retractions, or clarifications as necessary. Retractions will be clearly marked, and a retraction notice will be published.

6. Transparency and Publication Ethics:

  • Open Peer Review: The journal encourages transparency in the peer review process. Authors may opt for open peer review, where the identities of the reviewers are disclosed to the authors after publication.

  • Publication Ethics Guidelines: The Journal of Translational Research adheres to the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ensuring that all publications are handled according to the highest ethical standards. This includes adherence to best practices for peer review, publication ethics, and transparency.

7. Commitment to Ethical Publishing:

The Journal of Translational Research is committed to promoting responsible research and maintaining the trust of its readers and contributors. By following this Publication Ethics Policy, we aim to contribute to the advancement of knowledge while upholding the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing.