In 2013, it became apparent that the publication-ethics cases being brought to COPE for discussion and advice were becoming more complex. A new and more comprehensive classification scheme was therefore developed to make it easier to code cases, to aid searching, and to provide a finer level of detail for analysis. The resulting COPE Case Taxonomy comprises 18 main classification categories and 99 keywords and is designed to be descriptive not judgemental.
All the cases in COPE’s database were recoded and all new cases are being coded according to the new taxonomy (up to two classifications, denoting the main topics discussed, and 10 keywords can be assigned per case). It is important to note that classification and keyword coding denotes that a topic was raised and discussed, not that a particular form of publication misconduct had occurred.
The COPE Case Taxonomy is available, with appropriate attribution, for use by other organizations and individuals. Attribution should include the version date and number, and a link to the taxonomy on COPE’s website.
AUTHORSHIP
Involves any aspect of
authorship
Authorship
Involves any aspect of
authorship
Changes in
authorship
When changes to the
authorship
list are requested or made, after either submission or publication.
Disputed
authorship
When there is disagreement about any aspect of
authorship
, e.g. who should be listed and order of listing.
Ghost
authorship
When someone who should/deserves to be listed as an author is omitted on a submission or publication.
Gift
authorship
When someone who has made little/no contribution to a research project/manuscript is included as an author on a submission or publication.
Questionable
authorship
practice
Dubious behaviour, e.g. making inclusion as an author dependent on something not linked to the project, depriving someone of appropriate listing.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The existence of factors, situations or relationships that might inappropriately influence (bias), positively or negatively, a person’s actions.
Conflict of interest>
Conflict of interest (author)
Conflict of interest (editor)
Includes any person with high-level editorial and decision-making responsibilities.
Conflict of interest (journal)
Includes (1) journal-associated individuals and staff, and (2) when journals don't have appropriate systems for ensuring people with conflicts of interest are not included in
editorial decisions
.
Conflict of interest (reviewer)
CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION
Permission/lack of to publish variety of things (personal details, other information, data, case report, article).
Consent for publication
Consent for publication (author)
Consent for publication (institution)
Consent for publication (participant)
Consent for publication (supervisor)
COPYRIGHT
Involves any aspect of copyright.
Copyright
Copyright disputes/breaches
When there is disagreement about copyright or breaches are involved.
CORRECTION OF THE LITERATURE
Involves all discussion and categories of correction of the literature.
Correction of the literature
Involves all discussion and categories of correction of the literature.
Correction of the literature, corrections
Correction of the literature, corrigenda & errata
Corrigenda are corrections due to author errors, errata are due to journal/publisher ones.
When various parties can’t agree on either whether a correction is needed or what kind of correction is needed; also when they refuse to correct.
Correction of the literature, expressions of concern
Correction of the literature, retractions
DATA
Includes data, results, materials, and also submission/publication-associated documents, e.g. consent and copyright forms.
Data
Data fabrication
Making up research details/findings/documents.
Data falsification
Altering research details/findings/documents.
Data integrity
When there is data falsification or fabrication, also mistakes/problems leading to data problems.
Data manipulation
Issues to do with handling and changing of data.
Includes all changes to original images, whether appropriate or inappropriate; also image duplication.
Restriction of editorial freedom/decisionmaking or undue influence by an outside agency.
Appropriate and inappropriate intervention/influence by a publisher in editorial matters/decisions.
All issues to do with funding or sponsorship of either the research/researchers or any of the individuals/practices/content of the journal.
Editor acting in way that contravenes COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors.
What appear to be honest errors or where benefit of doubt has to be given.
Mistakes
Concern/complaint that decision/s not being made fairly/ethically (e.g. editor's potential conflict of interest not being handled appropriately or decisions being unduly influenced by commercial considerations); questions regarding decisions or policy.
Reusing one’s own previous writing without being tranparent about this or appropriately referencing/quoting from the original.
Protection of research participants from potential hazards/detriments to them of taking part in the research.
Of the research, materials, procedures, etc; breaches may involve ethical issues but may also result from mistakes or equipment malfunction.
Involving investigations at institutions or by official bodies on the integrity/soundness/ethics of the research done.
The publication, or attempted publication, of whole or substantial parts of work/data/analysis that have already been published (or have been submitted elsewhere), without transparency or appropriate declaration/referencing.
Submission of identical manuscripts or those with substantial overlap to more than one journal/publication venue at a time.
Where a journal considers posting of data or a pre-print before submission as 'publication', and which will therefore exclude those items from subsequent submission to the journal. Grey and rapidly changing area, varies greatly from journal to journal.
Individuals who make allegations about potential research or publication misconduct, either privately or publicly, and anonymously or not.