Publication Ethics

At JHMRI, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of our publishing process. We adhere to internationally recognized ethical guidelines and work diligently to ensure transparency, integrity, and fairness in the publication of health and medical research. This Publication Ethics Policy outlines the principles that guide our editorial and publishing practices.

1. Ethical Principles for Authors

Authors are required to follow ethical standards when submitting their research to JHMRI. These principles ensure that the research is original, accurate, and conducted in accordance with accepted ethical practices in the medical and healthcare fields.

1.1. Originality and Plagiarism

  • Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published or is not under consideration by other journals. The manuscript should not contain any plagiarized content, including text, data, or ideas.

  • Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, will result in rejection of the manuscript. Proper citation of all sources is mandatory.

1.2. Ethical Research Practices

  • Authors must ensure that their research adheres to ethical guidelines, particularly when it involves human or animal subjects.

  • If the research involves human participants, authors must obtain and mention approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. Informed consent from participants must be documented.

  • Animal studies must comply with the guidelines for animal care and use, and relevant permissions must be obtained from ethical review committees.

1.3. Data Integrity

  • Authors must ensure the accuracy of their data and findings. Any falsification, manipulation, or misrepresentation of data is strictly prohibited.

  • Authors should provide full transparency regarding the methodology and data used in their study to allow for reproducibility and verification of results.

1.4. Conflict of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their research or the interpretation of the results. This includes financial, professional, or personal relationships that could be perceived to influence the work.

  • Conflicts of interest must be declared during the submission process and in the manuscript itself.

1.5. Acknowledgment of Sources

  • All sources of funding, assistance, or support in the research should be clearly acknowledged. Authors must cite all relevant literature and previous research that has contributed to the development of their work.

1.6. Multiple Submissions

  • Authors must not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously. If the manuscript is withdrawn or rejected from another journal, authors should disclose this information to JHMRI during the submission process.

2. Ethical Principles for Reviewers

Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the journal by evaluating manuscripts objectively, fairly, and in a timely manner. Reviewers must adhere to the following ethical principles:

2.1. Confidentiality

  • Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential. The content of the manuscript should not be discussed with others or used for personal advantage.

  • Reviewers must not disclose or use the manuscript or its contents prior to publication.

2.2. Objectivity

  • Reviews must be conducted objectively. Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts based on scientific merit, clarity, and the relevance of the research, without personal bias.

  • Personal criticism of authors is not appropriate. Constructive feedback should be provided to help authors improve their work.

2.3. Expertise

  • Reviewers should only accept manuscripts for review if they have expertise in the relevant subject area. If they feel unqualified to review the manuscript, they should decline the invitation and suggest alternative reviewers.

  • Reviewers should not accept manuscripts if there is a conflict of interest, such as competing research or a personal relationship with the author(s).

2.4. Timeliness

  • Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations in a timely manner, adhering to the journal's review deadlines. If reviewers are unable to complete their review on time, they should inform the editorial team promptly.

2.5. Ethical Issues

  • If reviewers suspect any unethical practices, such as plagiarism, data falsification, or unethical treatment of research participants, they must report these concerns to the editorial team. Reviewers should not investigate these issues independently but should raise concerns with the journal.

3. Ethical Principles for Editors

Editors are responsible for ensuring that the journal publishes high-quality, ethical research. They must make editorial decisions based on scientific merit, academic quality, and ethical standards.

3.1. Fairness and Impartiality

  • Editors should make decisions on manuscripts based solely on their academic quality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and the strength of the evidence presented. Editorial decisions should not be influenced by the author's personal characteristics, affiliations, or opinions.

  • All manuscripts should be treated equally, regardless of the author's nationality, gender, or institutional affiliation.

3.2. Transparency

  • Editors must ensure transparency in the editorial process, including the peer review process. They must inform authors of the status of their manuscript and provide constructive feedback.

  • Editors should clearly communicate the journal’s policies, including guidelines for authors, reviewers, and ethical considerations, to all parties involved.

3.3. Conflict of Interest

  • Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including personal relationships or financial interests that may influence editorial decisions. If an editor has a conflict of interest, they should recuse themselves from handling the manuscript.

  • Editors must also ensure that reviewers are free of conflicts of interest when assigning manuscripts for review.

3.4. Handling of Ethical Complaints

  • Editors are responsible for investigating any ethical complaints raised by authors, reviewers, or third parties regarding manuscripts. They should take appropriate action, which may include contacting the author for clarification, requesting corrections, or retracting an article if necessary.

3.5. Publication of Retractions and Corrections

  • If errors or ethical issues are found in a published article, editors must ensure that corrections or retractions are made promptly. The retraction notice or correction should be clear and transparent, providing an explanation of the issue.

4. Ethical Principles for Publishers

The publisher is responsible for ensuring that the journal adheres to all ethical standards, maintains academic integrity, and promotes responsible publication practices.

4.1. Support for Ethical Publishing

  • The publisher must support editors and authors in adhering to the journal's ethical standards and ensure that all publications follow established guidelines, such as those outlined by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics).

4.2. Dissemination of Research

  • The publisher must ensure that the journal is distributed openly and widely, making research accessible to all readers, and promoting scientific collaboration and advancement.

4.3. Handling of Complaints

  • The publisher must handle complaints regarding ethical issues in a timely and fair manner. Complaints may include concerns about plagiarism, authorship disputes, or conflicts of interest, and the publisher should take appropriate action to resolve them.

5. Adherence to Guidelines and Ethical Standards

JHMRI follows the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) recommendations, and other established ethical frameworks to ensure that our publication practices are in line with internationally recognized standards.