Publication Ethics
Overview
The Bulletin of Health Services Research is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of the publication process. This publication ethics policy ensures the integrity of the research published and fosters transparency, accountability, and trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. The policy is based on the guidelines established by leading academic institutions and publishing bodies, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Author Responsibilities
-
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published or under consideration elsewhere. Any previously published material must be properly cited, and any reuse of previously published data, text, or ideas must be appropriately referenced. Authors must ensure that their manuscripts do not contain plagiarism or self-plagiarism. -
Authorship
Authors should only include individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors are properly acknowledged and that the manuscript accurately reflects their contributions. Each author should approve the final version of the manuscript before submission. -
Conflict of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that may influence the research or manuscript. This includes funding sources, affiliations, and any personal, academic, or professional relationships that could be perceived as conflicts. All potential conflicts must be stated in the manuscript. -
Data Integrity and Accuracy
Authors must ensure that all data presented in the manuscript is accurate and properly recorded. Manipulation of data, including selective reporting or fabrication, is considered unethical and will lead to the rejection of the manuscript and possible retraction if the article has already been published. -
Human and Animal Rights
Manuscripts involving human subjects or animals must adhere to ethical guidelines for research involving these groups. Authors must obtain the necessary ethics approvals from institutional review boards (IRBs) or ethics committees before conducting research and submitting manuscripts. Informed consent from human participants must be obtained and reported in the manuscript. -
Acknowledgment of Sources
Authors must properly cite all sources of data, theories, or methodologies used in their research. This includes giving credit to prior work and acknowledging the contributions of individuals or organizations that have supported the research. -
Data Availability
Authors should make the underlying data of their research publicly available whenever possible. Authors should provide a data availability statement in the manuscript, indicating whether the data is available and where it can be accessed (e.g., public repositories, supplementary materials).
Reviewer Responsibilities
-
Confidentiality
Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents and not share them with others, except where required for peer review purposes. The content of the manuscript should not be used for personal advantage. -
Objective Evaluation
Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts impartially and objectively. Personal bias or conflicts of interest should not influence the review process. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback and detailed comments to help authors improve their manuscript. -
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to review the manuscript objectively. If a reviewer has a direct relationship with any of the authors or research institutions, they should recuse themselves from reviewing the manuscript. -
Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the specified timeframe. If a reviewer is unable to meet the deadline, they must inform the editorial team promptly. Delayed reviews can impact the publication process, and reviewers should be respectful of the journal’s timeline. -
Ethical Considerations
Reviewers should notify the editorial team if they identify any ethical issues in the manuscript, such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or failure to obtain proper ethics approvals. Reviewers are also encouraged to report any potential violations of ethical guidelines they come across during their review.
Editor Responsibilities
-
Decision-Making
Editors are responsible for making final decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts. Decisions should be based on the quality, relevance, and originality of the manuscript, as well as the feedback from reviewers. Editors must ensure that decisions are made impartially and without bias. -
Confidentiality
Editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and their contents. They should not disclose any information about a manuscript to third parties, except as required for peer review or editorial purposes. -
Conflict of Interest
Editors should not handle manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest. They should recuse themselves from the editorial process if they have a personal or professional relationship with the authors or the research that could influence their judgment. Any conflicts of interest must be declared. -
Peer Review Process
Editors are responsible for overseeing the peer review process. They must ensure that manuscripts are reviewed fairly and in a timely manner. Editors should select appropriate reviewers based on their expertise and should manage the review process to ensure transparency and accountability. -
Publication Ethics and Integrity
Editors must uphold the journal's ethical standards and ensure that the publication process adheres to the highest levels of academic integrity. They should take action against any form of misconduct, including plagiarism, data falsification, and unethical research practices. -
Corrections and Retractions
Editors are responsible for issuing corrections, retractions, or clarifications when necessary. If errors or ethical issues are identified in a published article, the editor should take appropriate action, including issuing a correction or retraction. Retractions will be clearly marked, and authors should provide a reason for the retraction.
Publisher Responsibilities
-
Adherence to Ethical Standards
The publisher must ensure that the journal adheres to all relevant ethical standards and publishing guidelines. This includes compliance with data protection regulations, copyright laws, and ethical publishing practices. -
Transparency
The publisher should ensure that the journal’s policies, including the peer review process, conflict of interest, and publication ethics, are clearly stated and accessible to all authors, reviewers, and readers. -
Handling Complaints and Appeals
The publisher should provide a clear process for authors and readers to raise concerns or complaints regarding the editorial process, including ethical violations. The publisher should ensure that all complaints are handled fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the journal’s policies.
