Conflict of Interest (CoI) Policy
The IIP : International Multidisciplinary Research Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and ethical publishing practices. To uphold these principles, we have established a Conflict of Interest (CoI) Policy to identify, manage, and disclose any potential conflicts that may influence research, peer review, or editorial decisions.
Key Aspects of the Conflict of Interest Policy
1. Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when personal, financial, or professional relationships could compromise—or appear to compromise—the impartiality of the research, peer review, or editorial decision-making process. This includes any situation where individuals involved in the publication process have competing interests that may influence their judgment.
2. Disclosure Requirements for Authors
Authors must fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest when submitting their manuscripts, including:
- Financial Interests: Any funding, sponsorships, or financial relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation.
- Personal Relationships: Any affiliations or relationships that could affect the objectivity of the research.
- Institutional Affiliations: Any connections with organizations that may have an interest in the research outcomes.
3. Disclosure Requirements for Reviewers
Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest that could impact their ability to objectively evaluate a manuscript, including:
- Competing Interests: Any financial, professional, or personal relationships with the authors or affiliated institutions.
- Potential Bias: Any circumstances that might affect their ability to provide an unbiased and fair review.
If a reviewer has a conflict of interest, they should decline the review request.
4. Editorial Conflicts of Interest
Editorial board members and staff must disclose any potential conflicts that could impact their handling of manuscripts, including:
- Editorial Decisions: Editors must avoid involvement in the review or decision-making process for manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest.
- Transparency: Editorial decisions must be based solely on the merit of the research and not on personal or financial considerations.
5. Managing Conflicts of Interest
When a conflict of interest is disclosed, the journal will take appropriate measures to mitigate or manage the situation. This may include:
- Recusal: Editors or reviewers with a conflict of interest will be recused from handling the manuscript.
- Independent Review: The manuscript will be assigned to unbiased and impartial reviewers or editors.
6. Transparency and Integrity
- All conflict-of-interest disclosures will be made publicly available where applicable, ensuring transparency and maintaining trust in the publication process.
- Authors are encouraged to include a Conflict of Interest Statement within their manuscript.
7. Handling Unreported Conflicts
- If an undisclosed conflict of interest is discovered after publication, the journal may take appropriate action, including issuing a correction, retraction, or editorial notice.
- The integrity of the research and the journal’s reputation is of utmost importance.
By adhering to this Conflict of Interest Policy, the IIP : International Multidisciplinary Research Journal ensures that all research and publication activities are conducted with the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and objectivity, maintaining the trust of our authors, reviewers, and readers.
