Conflict of Interest

All parties involved in publication must disclose relationships or interests that could influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, their judgement.

Types of Conflicts

Conflicts may be financial, professional, institutional, personal, collaborative, competitive, or otherwise relevant to the manuscript or publication decision.

Authors

·       Authors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and sources of financial support in the manuscript or submission system.

·       All authors should ensure that disclosures are accurate and updated if a relevant conflict becomes known after submission.

Reviewers

·       Reviewers must disclose actual or potential conflicts before accepting or continuing a review.

·       A reviewer should decline the assignment where a conflict may compromise impartiality and must keep the manuscript confidential.

Editors and Editorial Board Members

·       Editors and editorial board members must disclose relevant conflicts and recuse themselves from handling or deciding on a manuscript where their independence may be compromised.

·       An independent editor should be assigned where necessary.

Management

The journal may seek clarification, appoint a different reviewer or editor, request a disclosure statement, or take other proportionate action. A conflict of interest is not automatically misconduct; it must be disclosed and managed transparently.