Declaration of Conflicting Interests Policy
Lab Publishers is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all aspects of our publishing process. In accordance with the "Guidelines on Good Publication Practice" as outlined by the "Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)", we require all authors, reviewers, and editors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the objectivity of their work or their role in the editorial and peer review process.
Definition of Conflicting Interests
A conflict of interest exists when there are financial, personal, academic, or other relationships that could inappropriately affect—or be perceived to affect—the objectivity, integrity, or independence of the work being presented for publication.
Author Responsibilities
Authors must declare all potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of their work. These may include:
- Financial interests such as employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, or funding received from organizations that may gain or lose financially through the publication.
- Personal relationships or competing professional interests that could be perceived to affect the research.
Authors are required to include a statement of any conflicts of interest in their manuscript submission.
Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an impartial review. If a reviewer feels they cannot review a submission objectively, they should inform the editorial office immediately and decline the review request.
Editor Responsibilities
Editors must avoid any decision-making process in which they have a conflict of interest. In cases where an editor is an author on a submitted manuscript, the editorial process will be delegated to another editor to ensure impartiality.
COPE Guidelines and Ethical Standards
Lab Publishers follows the "COPE Guidelines on Good Publication Practice" to ensure that conflicts of interest are managed transparently and ethically. We strive to foster an environment of trust by encouraging the disclosure of all relevant information. Our policies are designed to protect the integrity of the scientific and academic record, ensuring that all publications are free from undue influence.
Disclosure of Conflicts
All declared conflicts of interest will be included in the published article, and readers will be informed of any disclosures made by the authors, reviewers, or editors. In cases where no conflicts of interest are declared, a statement to this effect will be included.
By adhering to these standards, Lab Publishers aims to maintain the credibility and reliability of the work we publish. We encourage all parties involved in the publication process to act with the highest level of transparency and integrity.
