Conflict of Interest
A Conflict of Interest (COI) arises when personal, professional, or financial relationships could improperly influence—or be perceived to influence—the objectivity of an individual involved in the publication process. Such relationships may include personal connections (e.g., friends, colleagues, or family members), professional affiliations (e.g., employment with a competing organization), or financial support (e.g., grants or sponsorship).
Authors must disclose any potential Conflict of Interest that could have influenced their research, interpretation of findings, or decision to submit the manuscript. All relevant disclosures should be clearly stated within the article and communicated to the Editor-in-Chief.
Reviewers are also required to declare any Conflict of Interest that may affect their impartial evaluation of a manuscript. While the existence of a COI does not automatically disqualify a reviewer, it must be promptly disclosed to the Editor-in-Chief upon identification.
Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which a Conflict of Interest exists. In such cases, editorial oversight and decision-making responsibilities will be reassigned to an independent editor to ensure a fair and unbiased review process.
