- Forum discussion topics
Ethical aspects of conference proceedings
…proceedings are included conference proceedings should originate from a meeting associated with a particular place/s (including online) and time editors or proceedings may rotate or change regularly, although there may be a more stable planning group Questions for discussion What are conference proceedings? How do they differ (if at all) from books or journals?… - News
In the news: July 2020
…researchers from the developed world come to (developing countries), do research and leave without any investment in human capacity or infrastructure." The author is an activist against this model of research and argues that the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of partnerships that develop in-country scientists if there is to be progress in conservation efforts. - Case
Paper published without permission or acknowledgement from institution
…threaten retraction of the article if no agreement is reached. The editor could give the institution and the authors a time limit, after which the journal will retract the article.… - Case
Undeclared author conflict of interest
…consider double checking with the authors of the article that the mental health resource data linked to the study were collected, used and published ethically and legally per se. If the journal is looking to review its own stated policy on conflicts of interest, it might be useful to consider the International Committee of Medical Journal Editor (ICMJE) guidelines on declarations of… Become a member
…FAQ, which summarises the most frequently asked questions we receive in relation to applications for membership. PLEASE NOTE: We have launched a new journal membership application form. If you experience any difficulties accessing the form, please emailPast Council Members
…Linacre, Trustee (2020-2023) Eleanor Gendle, Council Member (2020-2023) Please contact us if you notice any omissions. Page history Last updated January 2024 Back to top…- News
Data and reproducibility: The role of research institutions
…an important role in contributing to changes in the established research culture norms and practices if they hope to swiftly implement change. In this respect, institutions should consider how they can promote open data practices though incentivizing and rewarding behaviors that promote data transparency. COPE webinar: Understanding text recycling
…wondered if I was wasting my time by doing that extra manipulation, but it felt odd to just put the same text in multiple documents. At the same time, we do often have to say the same thing and starting from scratch every time feels like a waste too.” Professor of Economics Text recycling, also known as self-plagiarism, is a common practice in research…- Case
Potential duplicate publication
…different readerships on “x” screening must surely be beneficial if the basic messages reach more readers. ” 5. Finally, they stated that “We are more than aware of the ethical considerations, as several of our members have sat on LREC and national agency ethics committees. ” The editors are concerned that the duplicate publication will skew data on the screening of x condition and that there is now… - Case
Repetitive duplicate submission to multiple journals and redundant publication
…misconduct. The authors’ institutions should also be approached and the situation explained. It might be useful to ask the institution for an assurance that if the authors submit another paper to a journal that it has not been submitted elsewhere. The editor should also write to the authors informing them that he has written to their institutions.… - Case
Author did not see reviews or revisions to the manuscript and did not give approval for publication
…asserting that they meet the criteria for authorship (as outlined in the first half of the form) and that they have read and approved the final version of the manuscript for publication to avoid this situation arising in future. We are now proposing to do the following: 2. Offer the complainant sight of the reviewers’ comments and the opportunity to publish an addendum or comment if they… - Case
Breach of peer review confidentiality
…reviewer A thought s/he was being helpful in forwarding the report to reviewer B. However, if the editor has clear evidence that the reviewers behaved inappropriately, he should contact their institution and request an investigation. He should also tell the reviewers that they have been excluded from the journal’s manuscript submission system. The editor should also contact the authors and assure them… - Case
Ethical concerns about a study involving human subjects
…difficult case as it is a single author paper. If there had been more than one author on the paper, the journal could have applied the revised criteria of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The fourth criterion states that all authors are accountable for all aspects of the work and are responsible for ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of… - Case
Possible self-plagiarism and/or prior publication
…trials. This is a rapidly changing area and journals should be prepared to modify their policies over time, with the increasing number of prior publication options becoming available (eg, blogs, preprint servers). This does raise issues in relation to blind peer review. Regarding the present case, if the journal has not been explicit about what it considers prior publication, it may be difficult… - News
In the news: May 2020
…results for journals from the pandemic include an increase in submissions for a while if researchers use time away from shuttered labs to write papers, followed by a lull when new researchers gear up. This may alter acceptance rates, decision times and other journal metrics. - News
Research integrity and how to buy a Persian carpet: TOP Guidelines, part 2
…publishing-oriented indicators of quality – if we could touch, feel, and get right down into the knot count, fibres, and colour of the research? By looking at more information about the research itself, and how it was done? The argument goes that – for research – knowing way more than an article can sensibly present enables research readers to understand more about the research. It gives other researchers… - News
In the news: May Digest
…target="_blank">www.epigeum.com/courses/studying/academic-integrity In other news In this post, Rob Warren lays out empirical evidence from the field of Sociology showing that early career and PhD researchers are expected to publish more research and earlier in their careers than previous generations, if they are to secure a permanent job, and highlights two market trends driving this. - News
In the news: November Digest
…discussions Have libel challenges by researchers dissuaded journals from calling out misconduct. Two former chairs of COPE disagree, suggesting that if anything research institutions and journals are becoming more detailed in their investigations, which may lead to perceptions of slowness in response. - Seminars and webinars
COPE webinar 2018: Creating and implementing data research policies
…Guidelines is not to mandate for data access per se, but to mandate disclosure of data availability, and, if available, to require persistent identifier/s and applicable licence information. The guidelines ask for certain TOP Statements to be provided in journals, as explained in a - Case
Should stockholders of a pharmaceutical industry declare conflicts of interest in a research paper?
…advice from COPE regarding the undisclosed conflict of interest in journal A, and what action should be taken? Are stockholders of a pharmaceutical industry allowed to perform research and publish it as a research paper even if they declare their conflicts of interest in the paper? In this case, the issue involves the director of the government committee on ethics in biomedical…