This section explains the steps to take if you suspect misconduct in your journal.
How can journals discourage and prevent misconduct?
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By authors
Journals can discourage and prevent misconduct on the part of authors by providing information, raising awareness, and listing authors’ contributions. They can ensure a requirement for conflict of interest disclosure, appropriate approval / standards for research and adherence to reporting guidelines. They can encourage post-publication debate and provide guidance on authorship . They can screen for plagiarism , redundancy and image manipulation.
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By reviewers
Journals can discourage and prevent misconduct on the part of reviewers by requiring conflict of interest disclosure and explaining expectations regarding confidentiality.
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By editors
Journals can discourage and prevent misconduct on the part of editors by having processes for handling editors’ and editorial board members’ conflicts of interest and publishing conflicts of interest for all decision-making editors