Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest Policy
Purpose
The Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (JIPBS) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in scholarly publishing. This Conflict of Interest (COI) policy aims to identify and manage potential conflicts that could compromise the objectivity, impartiality, and credibility of the journal's publications, ensuring unbiased and credible research.
Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual involved in the publication process—such as authors, reviewers, editors, or journal staff—has financial, personal, or professional relationships that may influence their actions, decisions, or judgments related to the submission, peer review, or publication of a manuscript.
Scope
This Conflict of Interest policy applies to all individuals involved in the publication process at JIPBS, including authors, peer reviewers, editors, editorial board members, and journal staff.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
Authors
All authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission that could be perceived as influencing the research or reporting of the findings. These disclosures must be included in the "Conflict of Interest" section of the manuscript.
Reviewers and Editors
Reviewers and editors assigned to evaluate a manuscript must promptly disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an unbiased and fair assessment. If a conflict is identified, the reviewer or editor should recuse themselves from the peer review process for that specific manuscript.
Editorial Board Members and Journal Staff
Members of the editorial board and journal staff must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest that may impact their decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript. If a conflict exists, the individual should not be involved in the review or decision-making process for that particular submission.
Handling of Conflicts of Interest
Review and Decision Process
The editorial team will consider all disclosed conflicts of interest when making decisions about manuscript submissions. If a potential conflict is identified, the team will assess its nature and extent and take appropriate actions, which may include seeking additional peer reviews or advice from independent experts.
Transparency and Correction
JIPBS will make all reasonable efforts to handle conflicts of interest transparently. Authors, reviewers, and editors must act in accordance with the journal's Conflict of Interest Policy. In cases where conflicts of interest are identified after publication, corrections or retractions will be considered as appropriate.
Education and Awareness
JIPBS will provide education and training to all individuals involved in the publication process about the importance of disclosing and managing conflicts of interest. Authors, reviewers, and editors will be regularly reminded of their obligations under this policy.
Review and Revision of the Conflict of Interest Policy
This Conflict of Interest Policy will be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with evolving best practices in scholarly publishing.
Adopted by the Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences on 22/10/2023