Conflict of Interest Policy

A conflict of interest (COI) arises when secondary interests—such as financial, personal, professional, political, or ideological considerations—may compromise, or reasonably be perceived to compromise, an individual’s objectivity, integrity, or professional judgment in scholarly activities.

A conflict of interest does not necessarily imply misconduct. However, the existence or appearance of a conflict may undermine trust in the research, editorial, or peer review process. Therefore, transparency through full disclosure is essential to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Financial interests: funding, grants, consultancy fees, honoraria, employment, advisory roles, stock ownership, patents, or other financial benefits related to the research.
• Personal relationships: family ties, close personal relationships, or professional rivalries.
• Academic interests: competition, prior collaboration, or involvement in closely related research.
• Institutional affiliations: employment or formal association with organizations that may benefit from the publication.
• Intellectual property interests: patents, trademarks, or proprietary technologies related to the submitted work.
• Ideological or political interests: beliefs or commitments that may influence interpretation or presentation of findings.

For Authors

All submissions—including research articles, review articles, editorials, commentaries, and book reviews—must be accompanied by a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.

Authors are required to:

• Disclose all potential financial and non-financial conflicts of interest at the time of submission.
• Declare any relationships or circumstances that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the research or its interpretation.
• Include a clear statement within the manuscript indicating either the disclosed conflicts or confirming that no conflicts of interest exist.

Disclosure enables editors and readers to assess the potential influence of competing interests and ensures transparency in scholarly communication.

For Editors

Editors must:

• Recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists, including recent collaboration, institutional affiliation, personal relationships, or financial interests involving the authors.
• Ensure that decisions are made solely on the basis of scholarly merit and ethical standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and refrain from using unpublished information for personal or professional advantage.

Editorial processes must be managed in a manner that avoids bias and preserves objectivity.

For Reviewers

Reviewers are required to:

• Declare any potential conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.
• Decline to review manuscripts where impartiality may be compromised due to personal, academic, or financial relationships with the authors or related institutions.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and avoid using privileged information obtained during peer review for personal gain.

If a conflict becomes apparent during the review process, the reviewer must immediately inform the editorial office.

Management of Conflicts of Interest

All disclosed conflicts will be evaluated by the editorial team in accordance with established ethical procedures and international best practices. Where necessary, appropriate actions—such as reassignment of editors or reviewers, publication of disclosures, or other corrective measures—will be taken to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the publication process.