Research Ethics

Research ethics policy within the realm of academic publishing encompasses a comprehensive framework guiding ethical conduct from the inception of research projects to the dissemination of findings. It emphasizes adherence to principles of integrity, transparency, and respect for participants, aiming to uphold the credibility and reliability of published research while fostering trust within the scholarly community. Expectations outlined in this policy apply to authors, reviewers, and editors concerning ethical conduct, data integrity, authorship, conflicts of interest disclosure, and protection of participants' rights and confidentiality. Adherence to these policies is critical to ensuring research positively contributes to knowledge advancement while minimizing potential harm. Additionally, it safeguards the reputation of the journal and the publisher, enhances accountability, and promotes ethical research practices. Key areas addressed include obtaining informed consent, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, maintaining integrity and objectivity, respecting participants, minimizing harm, complying with regulations, disclosing conflicts of interest, and practicing responsible data management. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and may result in rejection or retraction of manuscripts. More information can be found on the journals' websites.

1. Informed Consent: Research involving human participants necessitates obtaining informed consent. For instance, in clinical trials, participants must be fully informed about the study's purpose, risks, benefits, and procedures, ensuring voluntary participation. All human studies must align with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, with approval from the relevant ethics committee obtained and detailed in submissions. Clarity on categorizations such as race, age, or gender is required, using non-stigmatizing language.
2. Privacy and Confidentiality: Researchers must safeguard participants' personal information, particularly in sensitive studies like those addressing mental health. Anonymizing data and secure storage methods ensure confidentiality, preventing personal identification.
3. Integrity and Objectivity: Honesty and objectivity are paramount in reporting research findings, regardless of whether they align with initial hypotheses. Transparency in reporting results, even if unexpected, maintains credibility.
4. Respect for Participants: Participants must be treated with dignity and sensitivity throughout the research process. Creating a non-threatening environment for sharing experiences and ensuring their voices are accurately represented in publications are essential aspects of respect.
5. Minimization of Harm: Researchers must minimize physical and psychological harm to participants, emphasizing their well-being throughout the study.
6. Compliance with Regulations: Adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing research conduct, such as institutional review board approvals, ensures ethical research practices.
7. Authorship and Publication Ethics: Authors must accurately report research findings and adhere to publication guidelines, including those related to plagiarism and data fabrication. All authors should meet the criteria for authorship, with contributions appropriately acknowledged.
8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors are required to disclose any competing interests, ensuring transparency for reviewers and readers. This includes financial and non-financial interests that could influence research outcomes.