Conflict of Interest

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Conflict of Interest Policy

Purpose

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 — including 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 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 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 manuscript.

Editorial Board Members and Journal Staff
Editorial board members and journal staff must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest that may impact decisions regarding acceptance or rejection of a manuscript. Where a conflict exists, that individual should not be involved in the review or decision-making process for that submission.

Handling of Conflicts of Interest

Review and Decision Process
The editorial team considers all disclosed conflicts of interest when making decisions on manuscript submissions. Where a potential conflict is identified, the team will assess its nature and extent and take appropriate action, which may include seeking additional peer review or advice from independent experts.

Transparency and Correction
JIPBS makes all reasonable efforts to handle conflicts of interest transparently. Authors, reviewers, and editors must act in accordance with this policy. Where a conflict of interest is identified after publication, corrections or retractions will be considered as appropriate.

Education and Awareness
JIPBS provides education and guidance to all individuals involved in the publication process regarding the importance of disclosing and managing conflicts of interest, with authors, reviewers, and editors regularly reminded of their obligations under this policy.

Review and Revision

This Conflict of Interest Policy is periodically reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure its continued effectiveness and alignment with evolving best practices in scholarly publishing.

Adopted by the Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences on 22/10/2023.