The Pacific Journal of Medical Research (PJMR) is steadfastly committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics, ensuring the integrity, transparency, and accountability of all stakeholders involved in the scholarly publication process. Adhering to internationally recognized ethical guidelines, PJMR delineates clear responsibilities for authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers to maintain the journal’s reputation for excellence and reliability. The specific ethical obligations are outlined as follows:

 

For Authors:

• Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must guarantee that their submissions are original works and appropriately reference all sources. Manuscripts must not contain plagiarized material or be concurrently submitted to other publications. Direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, and self-plagiarism are strictly prohibited.

• Accurate Reporting

Authors are responsible for providing a truthful and precise representation of their research, including all methodologies, data, and results. Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of data is strictly prohibited and constitutes a severe breach of ethical standards.

• Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be attributed only to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All deserving contributors must be included, and undeserving individuals must not be granted authorship. Authorship disputes are to be resolved in accordance with the journal’s policies.

• Data Transparency

Authors must retain all raw data pertinent to their research and make it available for verification upon reasonable request. This ensures the reproducibility and reliability of the published findings. Data sharing should comply with relevant privacy and confidentiality regulations, especially in studies involving human or animal subjects.

• Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could potentially influence the research outcomes or interpretation. Full transparency in this regard is mandatory to maintain the trust and credibility of the research.

• Ethical Compliance

Research involving human or animal subjects must adhere to established ethical standards and receive appropriate institutional approvals. Authors must provide evidence of such compliance within their submissions, including informed consent forms and ethical review board approvals where applicable.

 

For Reviewers:

• Confidentiality
  Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. They are prohibited from sharing or discussing the content with unauthorized individuals or using the information for personal gain. The confidentiality of the peer review process must be strictly maintained.
• Constructive Feedback

Reviews should be objective, respectful, and aimed at enhancing the quality of the manuscript. Constructive criticism is encouraged to aid authors in refining their work, while maintaining a professional and courteous tone.

• Timeliness

Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations within the stipulated timeframe to ensure the efficient processing of submissions. Delays in the review process can impede the timely dissemination of research findings.

• Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest related to the manuscript and recuse themselves from the review process if such conflicts exist to maintain impartiality and objectivity.

• Ethical Oversight

Should reviewers identify any ethical issues, such as potential plagiarism, data manipulation, or misconduct, they are obligated to report these concerns to the journal’s editorial board promptly for further investigation.

 

For Editors:

• Editorial Independence

Editors must make publication decisions based solely on the merit of the manuscript, including its quality, originality, and relevance, without undue influence from external parties. Editorial decisions should be free from personal biases and conflicts of interest.

• Fair Review Process

PJMR adheres to a double-blind peer-review system to ensure impartiality. Editors must oversee the review process to prevent bias and uphold fairness, ensuring that each manuscript is evaluated based on its scholarly merit.

• Ethical Oversight

Editors are responsible for investigating allegations of ethical breaches and taking appropriate actions, which may include retractions, corrections, or other necessary measures to maintain the journal’s integrity. Transparency and consistency in handling ethical issues are paramount.

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Editors must disclose any personal or professional conflicts of interest related to a manuscript and abstain from handling submissions where such conflicts exist. This ensures that editorial decisions remain unbiased and credible.

 

For Publishers:

• Integrity Maintenance

The publisher ensures that all published content meets the highest ethical and professional standards, maintaining the journal’s credibility and scholarly reputation. This includes adherence to ethical guidelines and industry best practices in publishing.

• Support for Ethical Research

The publisher provides comprehensive guidelines and resources to prevent unethical practices, including plagiarism, data manipulation, and other forms of academic misconduct. Ongoing training and support for authors and reviewers are essential components of this commitment.

• Archiving and Accessibility

PJMR guarantees the long-term preservation and open access to all published content, ensuring that research findings remain accessible to the global academic community and the public. Robust archiving practices safeguard the integrity and availability of scholarly work for future generations.

 

PJMR is dedicated to fostering a culture of ethical excellence in scholarly publishing. By clearly defining and enforcing these ethical standards, the journal aims to promote trust, reliability, and high-quality research dissemination. All parties involved in the publication process are expected to adhere to these guidelines, ensuring that PJMR remains a reputable and authoritative source of knowledge in the fields of medical research and healthcare innovation.