Understanding Conflict of Interest (COI)

In alignment with guidelines from the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Council of Science Editors, and the World Association of Medical Editors, Rscope is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and integrity in scientific publishing. A Conflict of Interest (COI) occurs when financial or personal considerations could potentially compromise or appear to compromise the objectivity of researchers, authors, editors, or reviewers in conducting or reporting research.

What is a Conflict of Interest?

A Conflict of Interest exists when a researcher, author, editor, or reviewer has financial or non-financial interests that might affect their impartiality or influence their actions inappropriately. Commonly referred to as dual commitments, competing interests, or competing loyalties, these conflicts must be disclosed to ensure the credibility of the research.

Disclosure Guidelines:

For Authors:

Authors must disclose all potential conflicts of interest, both financial and non-financial, in the 'Conflict of Interest' section at the end of their manuscript.

If no conflicts exist, authors should clearly state: “I, [Author's Name], on behalf of all co-authors, declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.”

For Editors and Reviewers:

Editors and reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their impartiality.

If a conflict is identified during the peer review process, the affected individual must inform the Journal Management Team immediately. The individual will be excluded from reviewing that specific manuscript.

Types of Conflicts of Interest

Financial Conflicts:

Receiving reimbursements, fees, funding, or other monetary benefits from any organization or individual that may gain or lose financially from the publication of the manuscript.

Receiving financial benefits from organizations or individuals holding or applying for patents related to the manuscript’s content.

Non-Financial Conflicts:

Conflicts related to personal beliefs or ideologies, including religious or political affiliations.

Conflicts involving academic or intellectual interests that may impact objectivity.

Conflicts arising from personal opinions or ideologies.

Ethical Practices

Authors involved in sponsored clinical trials or research funded by external entities must disclose these relationships in the Conflict of Interest section of their manuscript submission.

It is essential for authors to ensure that all publications are produced responsibly and ethically. Transparency in disclosing conflicts of interest upholds the integrity of the research process.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need clarification on whether your situation constitutes a Conflict of Interest, please contact us at: info@rscope.org.

Why COI Policies Matter

Our COI policies are crucial for ensuring transparency and objectivity in the publication and peer-review processes. Adherence to these guidelines helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of scientific research published by Rscope.