Conflict of Interest

A competing interest is a financial, professional, institutional, personal, political, or other relationship that could influence, or reasonably appear to influence, the preparation, evaluation, or publication of research. Disclosure promotes transparency and does not itself establish improper conduct.

Authors

Authors must disclose relevant interests and funding to the editor at submission and update the disclosure if circumstances change. Where no competing interest exists, the manuscript should state this explicitly. Any role of a funder in the research, analysis, writing, or decision to submit must be identified.

Reviewers and editors

Reviewers must disclose potential conflicts before accepting an invitation and decline assignments where impartial assessment cannot be assured. Relevant circumstances include close collaboration, supervisory relationships, institutional connections, and personal or financial interests. Editors must recuse themselves from decisions involving their own work, close associates, or other material conflicts. An uninvolved editor must oversee the assessment of submissions by editors or editorial board members.

Undisclosed interests

Concerns may be reported through the editorial office. The editors seek explanations and assess the effect on the research and editorial process. A disclosure correction or other action may be required where the published record is materially affected. Editorial decisions must remain independent of payment, institutional influence, and personal relationships.

Ethical guidance: COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers; COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.