Editorial and Ethics

Editorial independence and fairness

Editors evaluate submissions for scope, quality, integrity and relevance. Decisions should be based on the work and the journal’s published criteria, without discrimination based on an author’s personal characteristics, institution, nationality or ability to pay. Editors should recuse themselves when a personal, professional or financial relationship could affect impartial judgment. A fee, where applicable, must not determine an editorial decision.

Authorship and contributor roles

Every listed author should have made a meaningful contribution, approved the submitted version and agreed to be accountable for their part of the work. The corresponding author is responsible for coordinating author approval, accurate affiliations and required declarations. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria may be acknowledged with their permission. Changes to the author list after submission require a reason and written agreement from all affected authors.

Conflicts of interest

Authors, reviewers and editors should disclose relationships or interests that could reasonably be seen to influence the work or its assessment. A conflict does not automatically make a submission unsuitable; transparent disclosure allows editors to manage it. Editors may assign a different editor or reviewer when needed.

Research ethics and participant protection

Authors must state whether research involving people, human material, animals or identifiable private information received the required review or approval under the rules that apply to the study. Include the name of the reviewing body, reference number when available, and relevant consent information. If a formal review was not required, explain the basis. The journal may request supporting documentation.

For video involving patients, research participants, students, staff or members of the public, authors must obtain appropriate permission for recording and publication. Consent to participate in a study is not automatically consent to publish identifiable images or voice recordings. Remove identifying details when they are not necessary, and do not upload confidential or sensitive footage without authority.

Images, video and data integrity

Media should represent the research faithfully. Do not add, remove or rearrange visual elements in a way that changes meaning. Explain edits that affect continuity, timing or interpretation. Preserve original files where feasible and be prepared to provide them for editorial review. Any annotations, cropping, blur or color adjustment should be disclosed when it could affect interpretation.

Authors must have permission to use music, photographs, diagrams, maps, software interfaces and other third-party material. Cite sources and identify license restrictions. Do not include copyrighted material merely because it appears briefly in a video.

Plagiarism and duplicate publication

Submissions should be original and should identify reused text, figures, data or media. Authors must disclose related manuscripts, preprints, conference versions and prior public releases. Editors may ask for clarification or supporting files when overlap is found. Material copied without attribution or submitted simultaneously to another journal may be rejected or handled under the journal’s integrity procedures.

Use of artificial intelligence

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, citations, permissions and integrity of all submitted material. Any generative AI use that materially contributed to text, images, video, audio, analysis or code should be disclosed in the manuscript, including the tool and the nature of its use where relevant. AI systems cannot be listed as authors. Do not upload confidential reviewer or participant material to external AI services without authorization.

Corrections, expressions of concern and retractions

If a published record contains a significant error, the journal may issue a correction, an expression of concern or a retraction depending on the evidence and the effect on the work. Authors, readers and institutions may contact the editorial office with documented concerns. The journal should investigate impartially, give relevant parties an opportunity to respond and keep a transparent record of any action taken.

Complaints and appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision by explaining the specific procedural or factual concern and supplying supporting information. Appeals are reviewed by an editor who was not responsible for the original decision where practicable. Complaints about editorial conduct should be sent through the contact page and will be reviewed by an appropriate person independent of the matter where possible.

Confidentiality

Editors and reviewers must treat unpublished submissions and review correspondence as confidential. They must not use unpublished information for personal advantage or share files beyond those who need them for assessment. Authors should not publicly identify reviewers unless the review model and applicable policy explicitly permit it.