Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Therapy (JSMT) upholds the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing. Our editorial policies align with internationally recognized guidelines, including those set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). We are committed to fairness, transparency, and academic integrity in all aspects of the publication process.

Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial team of JSMT is responsible for ensuring a rigorous peer-review process and maintaining the integrity of published research. Editors are expected to:

  • Conduct an unbiased and transparent review process.
  • Evaluate submissions based solely on academic merit.
  • Ensure confidentiality during manuscript review.
  • Take corrective action in cases of research misconduct.
  • Follow COPE guidelines for handling corrections, retractions, and ethical disputes.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to JSMT must adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

  • Submit only original and unpublished research.
  • Avoid plagiarism, data manipulation, and falsification.
  • Properly cite all references and previous works.
  • Clearly disclose funding sources and conflicts of interest.
  • Ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of data.
  • Comply with ethical guidelines for research involving human participants.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the scientific quality of JSMT. Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
  • Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Report any ethical concerns, including suspected plagiarism.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest that may affect their review.
  • Avoid using unpublished data for personal gain.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

JSMT enforces strict policies against unethical publishing practices, including:

  • Plagiarism: All submissions undergo plagiarism detection.
  • Data Fabrication: Falsified research data is not tolerated.
  • Duplicate Submissions: Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is prohibited.
  • Improper Authorship: All contributors must meet authorship criteria.

Handling Ethical Violations

Any ethical violations will be thoroughly investigated. The process includes:

  • Initial Review: Allegations of misconduct are assessed by the editorial board.
  • Author Notification: Authors are given an opportunity to respond.
  • Corrective Measures: Actions such as rejection, retraction, or institutional reporting may be taken if violations are confirmed.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Therapy is dedicated to upholding ethical research and publication practices. Authors, reviewers, and editors must adhere to our ethical policies to maintain the credibility and integrity of published research.

For ethical concerns or inquiries, please contact the editorial office at [email protected].