Conflicts of Interest
For Authors
Authors are responsible for adhering to ethical standards, including disclosure of funding sources, conflicts of interest, and methodological limitations.
For Editors
- Impartiality Declaration: The Editor-in-Chief must maintain impartiality by declaring no conflicts of interest regarding submitted manuscripts.
- Recusal Procedure: Should a potential conflict arise—or its perception—during manuscript handling, the Vice Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board shall assume all responsibilities, including reviewer selection and editorial decisions.
- Prohibition on Use of Unpublished Materials: Editors and editorial staff are expressly prohibited from using unpublished materials, data, or concepts disclosed in submissions without prior written authorization from the authors.
For Reviewers
- Conflict Disclosure Requirement: Reviewers must immediately disclose any conflicts of interest related to the manuscript, its authors, or funding sources. This includes personal, professional, financial, or institutional ties that could affect impartiality.
- Recusal & Editorial Guidance: If conflicts exist, reviewers should either withdraw from the review or seek explicit instructions from the Editor on participation limits.
- Confidentiality & Intellectual Property: Unpublished content from submitted manuscripts—including data, methods, or findings—may not be used without the authors' written consent and Editorial Board approval.
- Objectivity in Peer Review: Reviews must be conducted with impartiality. Personal criticism of authors is strictly prohibited. Evaluations should articulate constructive assessments, supported by evidence-based arguments and clear justification.
- Ethical Reporting: Reviewers must maintain confidentiality indefinitely and report suspected ethical violations to the Editor-in-Chief promptly and discreetly.
Purpose: This policy safeguards peer review integrity and protects authors' rights while ensuring unbiased evaluation of all UJMS submissions.
