Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest / Competing Interests Policy

All parties involved in the publication process — authors, reviewers, and editors — are required to disclose any relationships or interests that could influence their objectivity.

Authors:

At the time of submission, all authors must disclose: (1) financial relationships with entities that have a financial interest in the subject matter of the manuscript; (2) personal, political, academic, or religious beliefs that may bias the research; (3) all funding sources and grant numbers. If no conflicts exist, authors must state: 'The authors declare no conflict of interest.'

Reviewers:

Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where they have: (1) a current or recent collaborative or employment relationship with any author; (2) financial interest in the subject matter; (3) previously reviewed the manuscript for another journal. If a conflict arises after assignment, reviewers must notify the Editor-in-Chief immediately.

Editors:

Editors will not make decisions on manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest. Such manuscripts will be handled by another member of the editorial board or an external adjudicator.