Ethical Research and Publication Standards
Manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Research in Pharmacy are expected to adhere to the highest standards of research ethics and publication integrity. Authors must comply with international ethical guidelines as outlined by the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (2013) for human subjects and other relevant ethical standards for animal studies, including the European Community guidelines for the use of experimental animals.
All research involving human participants must include a statement confirming that written informed consent was obtained from participants, with a clear explanation of the procedures involved. For animal studies, authors must explicitly state the measures taken to prevent animal pain and suffering, adhering to ethical standards such as the 5Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine, Reuse, and Rehabilitate). Additionally, authors are required to provide the name of the ethics committee and the approval number in the Materials and Methods section.
Ethics Committee Approval and Informed Consent
For experimental, clinical, and drug-related studies, ethics committee approval must be obtained in accordance with international ethical standards. If necessary, authors will be asked to provide a copy of the ethics committee report or an equivalent official document. It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure that patient anonymity is maintained. Signed release forms from patients or their legal representatives must be obtained for any photographs that may reveal patient identity.
Plagiarism, Artificial Intelligence, and Duplicate Publication
The journal adheres to a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and self-plagiarism. Manuscripts are checked for similarity using plagiarism detection software (iThenticate by CrossCheck). Authors must ensure that all sources are properly cited, and any previously published work or work under consideration elsewhere should not be submitted to the journal.
The journal is aware of the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic research and writing. Authors are using AI tools, particularly in areas such as data analysis, content creation, or manuscript writing. AI tools can be misleading or misrepresentative of research findings. Additionally, all submitted manuscripts undergo plagiarism detection using advanced software to ensure originality and to detect and prevent any duplication of text or inappropriate citations and use of AI tools. Any instances of plagiarism or self-plagiarism detected will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript in line with the journal’s commitment to maintaining high academic integrity.
Authorship and Acknowledgements
Authors should ensure that all individuals who have made a significant contribution to the research are listed as authors. Those who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgement section. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors approve the manuscript before submission.
Each manuscript must include a statement on conflicts of interest, financial relationships, or any other affiliations that might be perceived as influencing the research outcomes. Any potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed in the manuscript.
Data Integrity and Reproducibility
Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the data presented in their manuscripts. The journal supports data transparency and encourages authors to make their data publicly available, where appropriate. Authors must be prepared to provide raw data and supporting information upon request, in compliance with ethical guidelines for reproducibility and transparency.
Peer Review Process
The journal employs a rigorous, double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality and validity of research published. Reviewers are required to evaluate manuscripts objectively and without any conflict of interest, while maintaining confidentiality. Authors are encouraged to submit revised versions of their manuscripts addressing reviewers' comments. The journal strives to provide a fair and impartial review process, ensuring that each manuscript is reviewed based on its scientific merit.
Retraction and Correction Policy
In cases where significant errors, misconduct, or ethical concerns arise after publication, the journal follows a clear policy for retraction or correction. If a published article is found to contain major errors or ethical violations, the journal will issue a retraction or correction to maintain the scholarly record’s integrity.
Open Access and Copyright
The Journal of Research in Pharmacy is committed to open access publishing, in alignment with international principles.
Research Ethics
The following principles must be observed in all research published in the journal:
• Integrity, Quality, and Transparency: Researchers should ensure the integrity and transparency of the research process, from study design to data analysis and reporting.
• Informed Consent: All research participants must voluntarily consent to participate in the study, with a clear understanding of the study's purpose, methods, potential risks, and benefits.
• Confidentiality: Authors must ensure the confidentiality of participants' information and uphold their autonomy and dignity.
• Avoidance of Harm: Research should be designed to minimize harm to participants, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Conflicts of Interest: All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the research findings.
Responsibilities of Authors
It is the responsibility of authors to ensure that their manuscript is in compliance with scientific and ethical standards. Authors must ensure the originality of their work and certify that it has not been previously published elsewhere or is under consideration by another journal. Proper permission and acknowledgment must be obtained for any copyrighted material (e.g., tables, figures, extensive quotations).
The corresponding author is responsible for confirming the accuracy of the manuscript and ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final submission.
Editor and Reviewer Responsibilities
The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for evaluating manuscripts based on their scientific merit, free from any bias related to ethnicity, gender, political, or religious beliefs. The Editor-in-Chief also ensures that all manuscripts undergo a fair and confidential double-blind peer review process and resolves any disputes that may arise during the review process.
Reviewers must assess manuscripts objectively, without any conflicts of interest, and maintain confidentiality. If a reviewer feels unqualified to review a manuscript, they must notify the editor and excuse themselves from the review process.
Compliance with Ethical Guidelines
The Journal of Research in Pharmacy adheres to the guidelines of the International Council of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the European Association of Science Editors (EASE), and other relevant organizations. The journal fully supports the principles of transparency and best practices in scholarly publishing, as defined by the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).