Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Upholding the Highest Standards of Publication Ethics
The Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health (JAPCH) adheres strictly to ethical publishing standards established by COPE, ICMJE, and WAME to ensure academic integrity and public trust.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are accountable for maintaining scientific integrity, fairness, and transparency throughout the review and publication process. Editorial decisions are based exclusively on the scholarly merit of manuscripts, independent of personal, institutional, or commercial interests.

  • Editors ensure that all submissions are evaluated impartially by qualified reviewers.
  • Conflicts of interest are declared and managed appropriately.
  • Editors handle ethical complaints promptly, following COPE flowcharts and best practices.

2. Author Responsibilities

  • Authors must ensure that submitted work is original and has not been published elsewhere.
  • All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.
  • Any potential conflict of interest must be declared at submission.
  • Authors must provide accurate data and ensure that ethical approval is obtained for studies involving human or animal participants.
  • Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or redundant publication are strictly prohibited.

3. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. They are expected to:

  • Maintain confidentiality and objectivity during the peer-review process.
  • Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback to help authors improve their work.
  • Report any suspected ethical misconduct, plagiarism, or data irregularities to the editorial office.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that may influence their review.

4. Publication Ethics and Integrity

JAPCH follows the COPE Core Practices to uphold the integrity of the academic record. Ethical issues are handled with transparency and fairness, prioritizing the credibility of the published literature.

5. Plagiarism and Misconduct

All submissions undergo plagiarism screening using reliable detection software. Manuscripts with similarity indexes exceeding 10% (excluding references and quoted text) are subject to revision or rejection. Authors found guilty of ethical misconduct may face permanent submission bans and notification of their affiliated institutions.

6. Data Accuracy and Reproducibility

Authors are responsible for presenting accurate data and maintaining complete records of their research. Data must be available for independent verification upon request. Manipulation or selective reporting of data constitutes ethical misconduct.

7. Human and Animal Ethics

Research involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. Animal studies must follow institutional and national guidelines for ethical treatment of animals in research.

8. Conflict of Interest Policy

All participants in the publication process (authors, reviewers, editors) must disclose any relationships that could be perceived as influencing their work. Disclosures are published alongside articles where relevant.

9. Retraction and Correction Policy

In cases of proven scientific error, fabrication, or ethical misconduct, JAPCH will issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern according to COPE’s Retraction Guidelines. Retractions remain accessible online with clear explanations to preserve transparency.

10. Complaint Resolution

Complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions are reviewed objectively by senior editorial staff. Complaints of ethical misconduct are investigated following due process, ensuring confidentiality and fairness.

11. Advertising and Funding Transparency

Advertisements are clearly distinguished from editorial content. Funding sources are disclosed for all published research to prevent bias and promote transparency.

12. Archiving and Preservation

All content is preserved digitally through systems such as LOCKSS and CLOCKSS, ensuring the long-term integrity of the scientific record.

13. Sanctions for Misconduct

In confirmed cases of unethical behavior, the editorial board may impose one or more of the following sanctions:

  • Formal retraction of the published article.
  • Blacklisting of authors or reviewers from future submissions.
  • Notification to relevant institutional authorities or funders.

14. Continuous Improvement

JAPCH regularly reviews and updates its ethical policies to align with emerging global standards and best practices in biomedical publishing.

Contact Information

For inquiries or concerns about ethical practices, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pediatricshealthjournal.com