We have adopted the ethical standards outlined herein by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, which serve as a comprehensive framework for editors, reviewers, authors, and publishers involved in scholarly publishing. These guidelines are further aligned with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations, ensuring adherence to globally recognized principles of integrity and transparency in research dissemination.
Editors-in-Chief
Fair Play
Editorial decisions at Consortium Publisher journals are based solely on the manuscript's scholarly merit, without discrimination regarding the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.
Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff of Consortium Publisher journals must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, disclosing information only to the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, editorial board members, or the publisher, as appropriate.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the explicit written consent of the author(s).
Publication Decisions
The Editor-in-Chief of each Consortium Publisher journal is responsible for deciding which submitted articles should be published, guided by the journal's editorial policies and legal requirements regarding defamation, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.
Peer Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer review helps editors make editorial decisions and may assist authors in improving their manuscripts through objective and constructive feedback.
Promptness
Reviewers who feel unqualified to review a manuscript or unable to provide a timely review should notify the editor promptly so that alternative reviewers may be appointed.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shown to or discussed with others unless authorized by the journal’s editor.
Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted objectively, with observations clearly articulated and supported, avoiding any personal criticism of the author.
Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers should identify any relevant published work that has not been cited and notify the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap with another publication.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and decline to review any manuscript for which they have a conflict.
Authors
Reporting Standards
Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed, including objective discussion of its significance and sufficient detail to allow replication by others.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their submissions are entirely original and that any sources or influences are properly cited.
Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Manuscripts must not be under review elsewhere.
Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment must be given for the work of others, and all sources must be appropriately cited.
Authorship of the Manuscript
Authorship should reflect only those who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.
Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects
Authors must clearly identify any use of hazardous materials, procedures, or experiments involving human or animal subjects, and must ensure compliance with institutional and national ethical standards.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All authors should disclose any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that may influence the research or its interpretation.
Fundamental Errors in Published Works
If authors discover a significant error in their published work, they must notify the editor and cooperate with Consortium Publisher to retract or correct the article.
Publisher's Confirmation
In cases of alleged or proven scientific misconduct, plagiarism, or fraudulent publication, Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada will, in collaboration with the Editors-in-Chief, take necessary action, including issuing retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern. The publisher affirms a strict non-discrimination policy across all publishing activities.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure research integrity and transparency, authors are required to include a "Compliance with Ethical Standards" section in their manuscript, prior to the references. This section should clearly state:
- Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
- Research Involving Human Participants and/or Animals
- Informed Consent
The corresponding author should retain documentation of ethical compliance and provide it upon request by Consortium Publisher during peer review or post-publication.
Editors may reject manuscripts that do not meet the ethical standards as set by the publisher.
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
All relationships or circumstances that could potentially influence or bias the research must be disclosed. These include:
- Research funding or grants
- Honoraria or consulting fees
- Employment, stock ownership, or board memberships
- Intellectual property rights
- Personal, political, or religious beliefs that may influence the work
The corresponding author must collect and submit conflict of interest statements from all co-authors.
Examples
- Funding: This work was supported by [Funder Name] under Grant No. [XXXXXX].
- Conflicts of Interest: Author A has received consulting fees from Company X. Author B holds shares in Company Y. Author C serves on the advisory board of Z.
- No Conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
For further details, please visit the official website of Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada: https://consortiumpublisher.com/, and consult the COPE Guidelines and ICMJE Recommendations.