Ethical Standards for Authors

Authorship is both a privilege and a responsibility. It signifies a public declaration that one’s ideas, methods, or findings contribute to the broader conversation of science. To honor this responsibility, every author is expected to uphold ethical standards that protect the credibility of their work, the trust of their peers, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

Commitment to Originality

Authors must present only original work. Research is an act of creation, and originality reflects respect for both the subject matter and the efforts of others. Plagiarism—whether through direct copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, or presenting another’s ideas as one’s own—undermines this respect and will not be tolerated. Proper acknowledgment through citation is essential, not merely as a formality, but as a recognition of intellectual lineage.

Accuracy and Honesty in Reporting

Scientific writing must represent data truthfully. Results should be reported without fabrication, falsification, or selective omission. Figures, images, and statistics should reflect reality, not aspiration. The obligation to honesty extends beyond numbers; it encompasses the clarity of methods, the openness of limitations, and the humility to acknowledge uncertainty where it exists.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship is not symbolic; it signifies a direct and meaningful contribution. To be listed as an author, an individual must have contributed substantially to one or more of the following:

• Conceptualization and design of the study.
• Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
• Drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for intellectual content.

All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and share accountability for the published work. Honorary or guest authorship, as well as ghostwriting, are inconsistent with these values and are prohibited.

Acknowledgment of Contributions

Not all contributions warrant authorship, but all contributions deserve recognition. Individuals who provided technical assistance, funding acquisition, or general support should be acknowledged appropriately. Transparency in acknowledgment strengthens trust and highlights the collaborative nature of science.

Conflicts of Interest

Trust in science requires transparency. Authors must disclose any personal, financial, or institutional interests that could influence their work. Disclosure does not diminish credibility; rather, it clarifies context and enables readers to evaluate findings with full awareness. Undeclared conflicts, however, erode trust and can cast doubt on the integrity of even the strongest research.

Ethical Research Practices

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research involving humans, animals, or sensitive data adheres to recognized ethical standards:

• Human Research: Requires informed consent and institutional review board approval, following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
• Animal Research: Must prioritize humane treatment and follow recognized ethical guidelines.
• Data Integrity: Data should be collected responsibly, stored securely, and made available when appropriate for verification or replication.

Ethical practice extends to the respectful presentation of results, ensuring that conclusions are proportionate to evidence and communicated with humility.

Multiple Submissions and Redundancy

Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is not permitted. Similarly, dividing one study into several smaller publications without valid justification (“salami slicing”) diminishes the integrity of the scholarly record. Authors are expected to respect the time of editors and reviewers by submitting only when their work is ready and appropriately scoped.

Corrections and Retractions

Mistakes are part of human endeavor; integrity lies in how they are addressed. If authors discover errors after submission or publication, they are obligated to inform the editorial office promptly. Corrections and, where necessary, retractions are not admissions of failure but affirmations of honesty. A culture of openness strengthens the resilience of science.

Data Sharing and Transparency

Where possible, authors are encouraged to share underlying data, methodologies, and supplementary materials. This fosters reproducibility and supports a broader movement toward open science. Sharing is not only a technical detail but a gesture of generosity: an invitation for others to build upon, challenge, or refine the work.

Language and Respect

Authors should write with clarity and respect for all audiences. Discriminatory language, unsubstantiated claims, or dismissive tone undermine the dignity of scholarly communication. Ethical writing respects not only facts but also the diversity of voices that make science a truly global conversation.

Why Standards Matter

Ethical standards are not external rules imposed upon authors; they are the principles that give science its meaning. They protect the dignity of participants, the trust of readers, and the legacy of research. Upholding them is an act of respect: for colleagues, for communities, and for the future. By embracing these values, authors affirm that their work is more than a personal achievement—it is a gift to a collective pursuit of understanding.

Conclusion

To be an author is to stand within a tradition of inquiry and discovery. Ethical standards guide this tradition, ensuring that each contribution strengthens rather than weakens the chain of trust that binds generations of scholarship together. By committing to originality, honesty, transparency, and respect, authors honor both their own integrity and the shared responsibility of advancing knowledge for the benefit of all.