Conflict of interests
A conflict of interests deals with the factors that negatively affect objectivity, or may be considered as an intrusion into the review process, editorial decisions, publication and presentation of a manuscript.
Conflicts of interest may arise in relation to individuals or organizations, and may be (but are not limited to):
Personal:
- Personal relationships (e.g friends, family members, current or former authorities, opponents) with those involved in submitting and reviewing the manuscripts (authors, reviewers, editors or editorial board members);
- Personal beliefs (political, religious, or ideological), related to the topic of the manuscript, that may hinder or influence the objective process of publication (during the submission, review, editorial board decision-making or publishing).
Occupational/Professional:
- Associates/colleagues who participated in or observed the research process.
- Membership in the organizations that lobby the interests of the author.
- Relationships (paid or unpaid) with funding organizations, including the non-governmental organizations, research and charitable institutions.
Financial:
- Research grants (from any sponsor, which may be limited or unlimited).
- Patent applications (available or expected), including applications from the institutes with which the author cooperates and from which he or she may get profits.
- Any kind of honorarium, gifts and rewards.
The Editor and any member of the editorial board should be excluded from the manuscript review process, in case the conflict of interests. The editor-in-chief and the editorial board require from all authors of the journal to provide information on relevant conflict of interests and publish reclamation if a conflict of interest has been identified after publication.
The editorial board obeys the provisions of the Conflict of Interest Regulations.
The journal editorial requires that all Authors and Reviewers should provide information on any existing conflicts of interest that may affect the submission and preparation of the manuscript for printing by filling out the appropriate forms.
