Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest exists when an author, reviewer, or editor has relationships or interests that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, the conduct, evaluation, or publication of a manuscript. Conflicts of interest may be financial or non-financial, professional or personal, and may involve individuals or organizations.
Authors
Authors are required to disclose all relationships and activities that could influence, or be perceived to influence, their work. These include, but are not limited to, employment, consultancies, research funding, honoraria, stock ownership, patents or patent applications, advisory roles, and institutional affiliations.
P-EIJMS follows the ICMJE recommendations on author responsibilities and conflicts of interest. Authors should submit complete and accurate disclosures at the time of manuscript submission, using the journal’s disclosure mechanism. Failure to disclose relevant conflicts may result in editorial action.
Reviewers
Reviewers must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity in reviewing a manuscript. If a conflict exists, reviewers should decline the review. Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and must not use information obtained during the review process for personal or professional advantage.
Editors and Editorial Staff
Editorial decisions are made by editors who have no conflicts of interest related to the manuscripts they handle. Editors and editorial staff must disclose any relevant interests and recuse themselves from decision-making where a conflict exists. Editors submitting their own work to the journal must delegate the editorial handling of their manuscripts and take no part in related discussions or decisions. Confidential information obtained during the editorial process must not be used for personal gain.
Policy Basis and Guidance
This policy is informed by internationally recognized standards, including guidance from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The journal applies these principles to ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity throughout the publication process.
