Publication Ethics

The Preclinical Studies Journal (PCS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct, academic integrity, and transparency in scholarly publishing. This policy outlines the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher involved in the publication process.

The journal follows the guidelines and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other internationally recognized ethical standards. This policy applies to all submissions in preclinical, experimental, and translational biomedical sciences.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality and Academic Integrity

Manuscripts submitted to PCS must be original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere. Authors must avoid plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and redundant publication. All sources must be properly cited.

1.2 Data Integrity and Reporting

Authors must present accurate and truthful data. Fabrication, falsification, manipulation, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited. All methods, materials, and tools used must be clearly described.

1.3 Data Transparency and Reproducibility

Authors should retain research data and make it available upon reasonable request. Any limitations on data availability must be clearly stated.

1.4 Authorship and Contributions

Authorship should include only those who have made significant contributions to the research. All authors must approve the final manuscript. Any changes to authorship after submission require written consent from all authors.

1.5 Ethical Conduct of Research

  • Studies involving animals must follow internationally accepted ethical and welfare guidelines
  • Ethical approval from relevant committees must be provided where applicable
  • Research involving humans must comply with ethical standards and informed consent requirements

1.6 Safety and Responsibility

Authors must ensure that their research complies with safety, environmental, and ethical standards. Harmful or unethical practices must not be promoted.

1.7 Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure

Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest. All funding sources must be clearly acknowledged.

1.8 Post-Publication Responsibility

Authors must notify the journal if errors or ethical issues are discovered after publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of manuscripts
  • Provide objective, constructive, and unbiased evaluations
  • Assess originality, scientific quality, and relevance
  • Declare conflicts of interest and decline reviews if necessary
  • Report suspected ethical issues or plagiarism
  • Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Making decisions based on scientific merit and relevance
  • Ensuring a fair and unbiased review process
  • Maintaining confidentiality of submissions
  • Handling conflicts of interest appropriately
  • Investigating ethical concerns following COPE guidelines
  • Preserving editorial independence

4. Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher supports ethical publishing by ensuring:

  • Editorial independence and transparency
  • Clear publication policies
  • Long-term digital preservation of content
  • Timely corrections, retractions, and updates
  • Fair handling of complaints and appeals

5. Research Misconduct

Unethical practices include:

  • Plagiarism or self-plagiarism
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Duplicate publication
  • Improper authorship
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Ethical violations involving human or animal research

All cases of misconduct are handled according to COPE guidelines.

6. Withdrawal and Retraction Policy

6.1 Grounds for Retraction

  • Proven plagiarism
  • Data falsification or fabrication
  • Duplicate publication
  • Major errors affecting validity
  • Ethical violations
  • Authorship disputes

6.2 Procedure

  • Initial review by the editorial board
  • Notification to authors
  • Opportunity for response
  • Final decision based on evidence
  • Publication of retraction notice

Retracted articles remain online and are clearly marked to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

7. Corrections and Expressions of Concern

  • Minor errors are corrected through formal notices
  • Serious concerns may lead to an Expression of Concern during investigation

8. Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or submit complaints. All cases are handled fairly and transparently in accordance with COPE standards.

9. Compliance Statement

By submitting to the Preclinical Studies Journal (PCS), authors confirm that they have read and agreed to comply with this Publication Ethics Policy.