The Cappadocia Journal of Health Sciences adheres to the principles of integrity, transparency, accountability, impartiality, and scientific integrity in the processes of generating, evaluating, and publishing scientific knowledge. The journal adheres to national and international ethical standards in its publication processes and operates in accordance with recognized publishing principles, particularly those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). All stakeholders involved in the journal’s publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, members of the editorial board, and the publishing organization—bear responsibility in accordance with these ethical principles.
Authors’ Ethical Responsibilities and Obligations
Authors submitting manuscripts to the Cappadocia Journal of Health Sciences undertake to ensure that the research they submit was conducted and reported in accordance with scientifically and ethically acceptable standards. Manuscripts submitted to the journal must be original, must not have been previously published in any other publication, and must not be under simultaneous review by another journal. Originality, one of the fundamental principles of scientific publishing, does not merely mean the absence of textual similarity; it also encompasses the honest presentation of data, findings, and interpretations by the researchers.
Authors are expected to report the data they obtain during the research process accurately, completely, and transparently. Practices inconsistent with scientific integrity—such as fabricating data, distorting data, selectively using data, manipulating results, or misrepresenting research findings—are considered ethical violations. It is important that the methods and analysis processes used in the research be presented in sufficient detail to allow for verification when necessary. If requested by the editorial board, authors may be expected to share the raw data and analysis files related to the research.
Authorship is reserved solely for those who have made a meaningful contribution to the design of the study, the data collection process, the analysis, the interpretation, or the writing of the article. Listing individuals who have not made a scientific contribution as authors, or omitting those who have contributed from the author list, is considered unethical. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors have approved the final version of the article and share responsibility for the publication process.
In studies involving human participants, approval from the relevant ethics committee is mandatory. The name of the ethics committee, the decision number, and the date of the decision must be clearly stated in the article. It must be stated that participants voluntarily participated in the study and that their informed consent was obtained. Protecting participant privacy, ensuring the confidentiality of personal data, and respecting human rights throughout the research process are fundamental obligations. In studies involving animals, it must be stated that national and international animal welfare principles were adhered to.
Authors must properly cite all sources used in preparing their work and avoid plagiarism. The use of others’ ideas, data, figures, or text without proper citation is considered an ethical violation. Similarly, quotations from previously published works without proper citation, as well as self-plagiarism, salami slicing, and duplicate publication, are unacceptable.
If the research has received financial support, the institutions or organizations providing the funding must be clearly stated. In addition, any financial, academic, or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the results of the research must be disclosed. If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must notify the editorial office without delay and cooperate in the necessary correction or retraction processes.
Ethical Responsibilities and Obligations of Reviewers
The peer review process is one of the fundamental mechanisms ensuring quality assurance in scientific publishing. Reviewers serving on the *Kapadokya Journal of Health Sciences* are expected to conduct their evaluation processes in accordance with the principles of impartiality, confidentiality, and scientific objectivity.
Reviewers should only accept to evaluate studies directly related to their areas of expertise and should decline assignments on topics outside their scientific competence. All information and documents obtained during the review process are considered confidential. Sharing manuscripts with third parties or using information obtained during the review process for personal or academic gain is considered an ethical violation.
Reviewers must base their evaluations solely on the scientific quality of the work, independent of the authors’ personal characteristics. Criticisms should be constructive, explanatory, and aimed at improvement; they must not contain personal attacks or derogatory remarks. The primary purpose of reviewers’ comments is to contribute to enhancing the scientific quality of the work.
When reviewers notice during the review process that a manuscript shows significant similarity to previously published works, contains plagiarism, involves an ethical violation, or has serious scientific issues, they must notify the editorial office. Additionally, they are expected to recuse themselves from the review process if they have any conflict of interest with the authors, their institutions, or the subject matter of the research.
Ethical Responsibilities and Obligations of Editors
Editors are responsible for maintaining the journal’s scientific integrity and ensuring that publication processes are conducted in accordance with ethical principles. Editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of the manuscript’s originality, scientific merit, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and contribution to the journal’s scope. The authors’ nationality, gender, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, political views, academic titles, or institutional affiliations may not influence editorial decisions.
Editors base their selection of reviewers on the principles of expertise, scientific competence, and impartiality. They ensure that the peer review process is conducted fairly and effectively and maintain confidentiality throughout the entire process. Protecting the identities of reviewers and authors and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the double-blind peer review system are among the editors’ fundamental responsibilities.
Editors are obligated to conduct the necessary investigations in cases where there is suspicion of a violation of research and publication ethics. Allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication, failure to obtain ethics committee approval, concealment of conflicts of interest, or other ethical violations are evaluated with the utmost care. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, actions such as rejection, revision, retraction of the article, or notification of the relevant institutions may be taken.
Editors are also responsible for managing conflicts of interest that may arise during the publication process and for recusing themselves from the editorial process if they have a conflict of interest. Protecting the journal’s academic independence and scientific integrity forms the foundation of editorial responsibility.
Responsibilities of the Publisher and the Editorial Board
The publisher and the editorial board support the protection of editorial independence and ensure that publication processes are conducted in accordance with ethical principles. No commercial, institutional, or personal interests are permitted to influence publication decisions. The journal’s scientific reputation and editorial integrity take precedence over any economic or administrative concerns.
The editorial board ensures that publication policies are developed in accordance with current ethical standards, supports the editorial office in the process of evaluating allegations of ethical violations, and contributes to the continuous improvement of publication processes. When necessary, corrections, retractions, editorial statements, or expressions of concern are published to safeguard the accuracy and reliability of the scientific record.
Reporting and Evaluation of Ethical Violations
The Cappadocia Journal of Health Sciences takes seriously any allegations of ethical violations that threaten the integrity of scientific publishing. Plagiarism, fabrication of data, falsification of data, duplicate publication, salami slicing, inappropriate authorship, concealment of conflicts of interest, and practices contrary to ethics committee guidelines are considered among the primary types of ethical violations.
Reports of ethical violations submitted to the journal are investigated confidentially, and the review process follows international procedures recommended by COPE. Based on the findings of the investigation, the necessary editorial and institutional actions are taken to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and ethical compliance of scientific publications.