Publication Ethics

Scientific Nexus adheres to the ethical standards set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in addressing all aspects of publication ethics, including how to handle cases of research or publication misconduct.

All manuscripts involving human subjects must comply with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, while studies involving animals must follow the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research developed by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS).

To maintain the highest ethical standards, Scientific Nexus applies COPE guidelines to all parties involved in the publication process — including publishers, editors, authors, and reviewers. We believe that clearly communicating and upholding publication ethics is essential for enhancing the quality and integrity of research globally.

This section outlines the ethical responsibilities of editors, authors, and reviewers. The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions or the integrity of published content, but is committed to supporting a transparent and timely publication process.

For Editors

  • Editors are responsible for overseeing the review and publication of every article in Scientific Nexus.

  • Editors should support authors in adhering to the Instructions for Authors and provide guidance as needed throughout the submission and revision process.

  • Editors may consult with fellow editors or reviewers when making final decisions on manuscripts.

  • Editors must evaluate all submissions objectively and fairly, based solely on scientific merit. Decisions must not be influenced by the authors' nationality, ethnicity, political views, race, religion, gender, seniority, or institutional affiliation.

  • Editors should recuse themselves from handling a manuscript if they have a potential conflict of interest.

  • Editors must communicate editorial decisions clearly to authors and include relevant reviewer comments—unless those comments are offensive, inappropriate, or defamatory.

  • Editors should respect authors' reasonable and justified requests to exclude specific individuals from the peer review process.

  • In cases of suspected misconduct, authorship disputes, or ethical concerns, editors will follow the guidelines provided in the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) flowcharts.

For Reviewers

Reviewers need to treat all related documents and correspondence with strict confidentiality and professionalism. Please follow these principles:

  • Do not use any information from the manuscript for your own research or to criticize others.

  • Do not share or discuss the manuscript with anyone outside the editorial process.

  • Keep all details about the manuscript and review process confidential.

  • Be fair, honest, and objective in your review.

  • If you have a conflict of interest or feel your impartiality is compromised, please declare it and withdraw from the review process immediately.

For Authors

  • Authors affirm that the submitted manuscript is original, has not been previously published, and that no rights to the work have been transferred elsewhere.

  • Authors must ensure that their work is original and that all sources have been properly cited in accordance with the journal’s referencing guidelines.

  • Plagiarism and self-plagiarism are strictly prohibited.

  • Authors must ensure that no personal information is included that could identify a patient in any part of the manuscript (e.g., text descriptions, photographs, or pedigrees). If patient images are essential for the scientific content, written informed consent must be obtained and clearly stated in the manuscript.

  • For research involving human subjects, authors must confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by relevant national or institutional ethics committees. If there is any doubt about compliance, authors must provide a clear explanation.

  • For research involving animals, authors must confirm that all procedures followed guidelines on the ethical treatment of laboratory animals.

  • Authors are required to provide the editor with the raw data or supporting details of the study upon request, particularly in cases where data falsification or fabrication is suspected.

  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest—including funding sources, consulting fees, or intellectual property—using the ICMJE Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form.