Publication Ethics Statement

Ethical Framework

JAPCH is dedicated to maintaining academic integrity, transparency, and responsibility throughout its editorial and publication processes. The journal strictly follows the COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Recommendations, and WAME Ethical Guidelines to ensure trustworthy and reproducible research.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Make unbiased editorial decisions based solely on scientific merit and relevance.
• Ensure confidentiality of all submissions and peer review materials.
• Investigate and address ethical complaints promptly and transparently.
• Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential ethical concerns.

Responsibilities of Authors

• Submit only original work that has not been published elsewhere.
• Disclose all sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest, and ethical approvals.
• Ensure accurate data presentation and avoid fabrication or falsification of results.
• Obtain informed consent for studies involving human participants and follow ethical treatment for animal research.
• Properly attribute and cite all references, avoiding plagiarism or self-plagiarism.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Evaluate manuscripts impartially and confidentially.
• Identify ethical issues, data inconsistencies, or plagiarism if detected.
• Provide constructive feedback based on expertise and scientific evidence.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest that may bias the review process.

Research Integrity and Data Transparency

JAPCH emphasizes research integrity and encourages authors to make underlying data available for validation or reuse. All results must be verifiable, and data manipulation or selective reporting constitutes misconduct. Authors are advised to follow the ICMJE Data Sharing Statement Requirements.

Plagiarism and Misconduct Prevention

Every manuscript undergoes plagiarism detection using iThenticate or equivalent software. Submissions exceeding the acceptable similarity threshold (10%) may be returned for revision or rejected. Cases of proven plagiarism lead to immediate rejection, retraction, and institutional notification.

Human and Animal Ethics

Research involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. Animal studies must follow ethical standards set by institutional review boards and international guidelines such as the ARRIVE and AVMA standards.

Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure

Authors, reviewers, and editors must declare any financial or personal relationships that could influence the submitted work. Transparency in funding sources, sponsorship, and institutional affiliations is mandatory. All disclosures are published alongside the article when applicable.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

JAPCH issues corrections or retractions when errors or misconduct are identified post-publication. All actions are guided by the COPE Retraction Guidelines. Retractions remain available online with full transparency to preserve the scholarly record.

Editorial Independence

The journal maintains complete independence in editorial decision-making. Sponsorship, advertising, or funding does not influence content selection, peer review, or publication outcomes.

Handling of Ethical Complaints

All ethical concerns are handled confidentially and fairly by the Ethics Committee. Complaints may be submitted by authors, reviewers, or readers. Formal investigations are conducted in accordance with COPE’s procedural flowcharts.

Data Privacy and Confidentiality

All personal data, including author and reviewer details, are managed securely under GDPR and COPE data protection principles. Identifiable patient information is not published unless explicit consent has been obtained.

Post-Publication Ethics

JAPCH supports open dialogue and scholarly debate. Readers may report suspected errors, duplication, or misconduct. The editorial office will review the case and issue appropriate editorial notes or corrections if warranted.

Ethical Oversight in Pediatric Research

Given the journal’s focus, special ethical considerations apply to studies involving children. Informed consent must be obtained from legal guardians, and studies must prioritize participant safety, confidentiality, and benefit over risk.

Sanctions for Ethical Breaches

Confirmed cases of misconduct result in actions that may include rejection, retraction, blacklisting, or reporting to institutional and funding authorities.

Continuous Ethical Improvement

The journal reviews its ethical standards annually, incorporating updates from COPE, ICMJE, and international ethical frameworks to strengthen publication integrity.

Contact Information

For ethical concerns or misconduct reports, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pediatricshealthjournal.com