The Pacific Journal of Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology (PJAOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in every aspect of the publication process. The journal follows internationally recognized ethical guidelines and defines clear responsibilities for authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers to preserve the journal’s credibility and academic excellence. The specific ethical responsibilities are outlined below:

 

For Authors:

• Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure their submissions are original and properly reference all sources. Plagiarism, including direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, and self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.
• Accurate Reporting: Authors are responsible for providing an honest and accurate account of their research, including methods, data, and results. Fabricating or falsifying data is a severe violation of ethical standards.
• Authorship Criteria: Authorship should only be granted to those who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. Disputes over authorship should be resolved according to the journal's policies.
• Data Transparency: Authors must retain raw data relevant to their research and provide it upon request for verification. Data sharing should comply with privacy and confidentiality regulations, especially for studies involving human or animal subjects.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could influence the research. Transparency is required to maintain the trust of the readers.
• Ethical Compliance: Research involving human or animal subjects must follow ethical standards and receive appropriate institutional approvals. Authors should provide evidence of ethical compliance within their submissions.

For Reviewers:

• Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents and refrain from discussing or using the information for personal gain.
• Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be objective, respectful, and aimed at improving the quality of the manuscript, providing constructive criticism.
• Timeliness: Reviewers should complete their evaluations within the required timeframe to avoid delays in the publication process.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest related to the manuscript and recuse themselves from the review process if necessary to maintain impartiality.
• Ethical Oversight: Reviewers should report any ethical concerns, such as potential plagiarism or data manipulation, to the editorial board for investigation.

For Editors:

• Editorial Independence: Editors must make publication decisions based solely on the quality and merit of the manuscript, free from any external influences or personal bias.
• Fair Review Process: PJAOG follows a double-blind peer-review process to ensure fairness. Editors must oversee the review to prevent bias and ensure each manuscript is evaluated on scholarly merit.
• Ethical Oversight: Editors must investigate allegations of unethical conduct and take appropriate actions, including retractions or corrections, as necessary.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Editors should disclose any conflicts of interest related to a manuscript and abstain from handling submissions with which they have a conflict.

For Publishers:

• Integrity Maintenance: The publisher ensures that all published content adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards, preserving the credibility of the journal.
• Support for Ethical Research: The publisher provides guidelines to prevent unethical practices, such as plagiarism and data manipulation, and offers training for authors and reviewers.
• Archiving and Accessibility: The publisher ensures that all content is permanently archived and accessible to the global academic community and the public, facilitating long-term access to published research.