Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement

Clinical Journal of Maternal and Pediatric Research (CJMPR) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethics in scholarly publishing. We adhere to internationally recognized ethical guidelines, ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of the publication process. Our policies align with the best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Ethical Considerations in Publishing

To promote credibility and trust in scientific research, the journal upholds strict ethical standards for authors, editors, and reviewers. These guidelines ensure fairness in the evaluation process, respect for intellectual property, and the prevention of misconduct such as plagiarism, fabrication, and conflicts of interest.

Peer Review and Editorial Integrity

• All submitted manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process, ensuring that evaluations are unbiased and based solely on academic merit.
• Editors and reviewers are required to maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise the objectivity of the review process.
• Manuscripts are assessed for their originality, scientific contribution, and adherence to ethical guidelines before acceptance.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

• Authors must ensure that their work is original and properly cited, with due acknowledgment of prior research.
• Plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, and falsification of results are strictly prohibited.
• Submitted articles undergo plagiarism detection screening before acceptance. Cases of plagiarism will result in immediate rejection or retraction.

Duplicate Submission and Redundant Publication

• Manuscripts should not be simultaneously submitted to multiple journals. If detected, they will be rejected and the authors may face restrictions on future submissions.
• The journal may consider expanded versions of previously published conference papers, provided there is significant new content, proper citation of the earlier work, and necessary permissions are obtained.

Authorship and Contributions

• Authorship should be limited to those who have made a substantial scientific contribution to the study. All listed authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.
• Individuals who contributed to the research but do not qualify for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.
• Any changes in authorship after submission require approval from all co-authors and must be communicated to the editorial office.

Conflicts of Interest

• Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, academic, or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the research, review, or publication process.
• Any financial support or funding sources for the research must be explicitly stated in the manuscript.
• If an undeclared conflict of interest is discovered after publication, corrective measures such as issuing a corrigendum or retraction may be taken.

Ethical Oversight for Research Involving Humans & Animals

• Studies involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and other relevant ethical standards. Informed consent from participants is required, and documentation may be requested.
• Research involving animals must adhere to internationally recognized ethical guidelines such as ARRIVE and IACUC standards.
• Editors may request ethical approval statements or certificates before publication.

Citation Integrity

• Authors should ensure that citations are relevant and do not include self-citation or unnecessary references aimed at increasing citation metrics.
• Editors and reviewers must not request citations solely to increase references to their own work or affiliated journals.

Corrections, Retractions and Editorial Actions

• If significant errors or ethical violations are found after publication, the journal reserves the right to issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern following COPE guidelines.
• Corrections will be issued for minor errors that do not affect the study’s conclusions.
• Retractions may be necessary in cases of research misconduct, data manipulation, or duplicate publication.

Handling Complaints and Appeals

• Complaints regarding ethical misconduct, editorial decisions, or publication integrity should be directed to the journal’s editorial office.
• Appeals to editorial decisions must be based on valid scientific arguments and will be reviewed by the editorial board.

Sanctions for Ethical Violations

• Authors found guilty of ethical misconduct may face the following sanctions:
  • Rejection of the manuscript and prohibition from future submissions for a specified period.
  • Retraction of published articles found to contain ethical breaches.
  • Restriction from serving as reviewers or editors for the journal.
• In cases of severe violations, the journal may notify the authors’ institutions or funding bodies.

Clinical Journal of Maternal and Pediatric Research is committed to fostering ethical research, responsible authorship, and high publication standards. We work diligently to ensure that published articles meet the highest levels of academic integrity and scientific excellence.