Ethical standards for publication exist to ensure high-quality scientific publications, maintain public trust in scientific findings, and ensure that researchers receive proper credit for their ideas. Authors are expected to avoid unethical practices as outlined below.
Data Fabrication and Falsification
Data fabrication occurs when the researcher did not actually conduct the study but invented the data.
Data falsification occurs when the researcher performed the experiment but manipulated some of the data.
Both practices undermine trust in science and may reduce public funding and support for research.
Plagiarism
Using ideas or work of others without giving proper credit is unethical.
Copying even a single sentence from another manuscript—or from your own previously published work—without proper citation constitutes plagiarism. Always use your own words.
AI Use Declaration
If any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used in preparing the manuscript, authors must clearly specify:
The type of AI used (e.g., Grammarly, ChatGPT, statistical software, data analysis tools).
The specific purpose for which the AI was used (e.g., language editing, content generation, data analysis).
This ensures transparency and maintains the integrity of the publication process.
Multiple Submissions
Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time is unethical.
It wastes the time of editors and reviewers and can damage the reputation of journals if the work is published multiple times.
Redundant Publications (or 'Salami' Publications)
Publishing multiple manuscripts with minimal differences from the same experiment is discouraged.
Redundant publications dilute the impact of research and may reduce reader engagement.
Animal Research
Research on regulated animals (all live vertebrates and/or higher invertebrates) must obtain prior approval according to international or local laws and regulations.
Approval must be obtained from the relevant Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee, and the ethics statement must include the name of the granting organization and approval reference numbers.
If reference numbers are unavailable, written approval must be submitted as confidential supplemental information.
Research on non-human primates must follow guidelines from the Weatherall (2006) report (The Use of Non-Human Primates in Research).
For non-regulated animals, authors should explain why ethical approval was not required.
Experimental animals should be handled according to the highest standards dictated by the author’s institution.
Authors are strongly encouraged to follow the ARRIVE guidelines (“Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments”) developed by NC3Rs.
Articles should clearly describe the organisms used, including strain names when known.