Conflict of Interest

Definition

A conflict of interest exists when an individual’s financial, personal, or professional relationships could reasonably be perceived as influencing their judgment or actions in the publication process. Conflicts of interest may be financial (e.g., employment, consultancy, stock ownership) or non-financial (e.g., personal relationships, academic rivalry).

Author Disclosure

All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing their work. A conflict-of-interest statement must be included in the manuscript, even if the authors declare no conflicts. This statement is published alongside the article.

Reviewer Disclosure

Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment. Reviewers should decline to review manuscripts if they have a conflict of interest, including recent collaboration with any author or employment at the same institution.

Editor Disclosure

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest. If an editor has published in their own journal, their conflict of interest must be disclosed.

Handling of Undisclosed Conflicts

Where a conflict of interest is suspected after publication, the journal may investigate and, if necessary, publish a correction or expression of concern in accordance with COPE guidelines.