The Journal of Sports Medicine and Therapy (JSMT) is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. The journal follows the principles and best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). All stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, and editors, are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines to maintain research integrity and transparency.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting to JSMT are required to:

• Ensure Originality: All submitted manuscripts must be original works of the authors. Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or duplicate publication is strictly prohibited.
• Authorship Transparency: Only individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research should be credited as authors.
• Provide Accurate Data: Authors must ensure that research data is accurately presented without manipulation or fabrication.
• Disclose Conflicts of Interest: Any financial or personal conflicts that may influence the research should be disclosed.
• Acknowledge Ethical Compliance: Studies involving human or animal subjects must have obtained ethical approval from the appropriate regulatory bodies.
• Allow Corrections: Authors must cooperate with the editorial team to issue corrections or retractions when necessary.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the credibility and quality of research published in JSMT. Reviewers are expected to:

• Maintain Confidentiality: All submitted manuscripts and review reports must remain confidential.
• Provide Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be objective, fair, and aimed at improving the manuscript’s quality.
• Ensure Scientific Accuracy: Manuscripts should be evaluated based on their validity, methodology, and scientific rigor.
• Declare Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must inform the editors of any conflicts that could compromise their impartiality.
• Adhere to Deadlines: Timely reviews are essential to facilitate a smooth publication process.

Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of JSMT is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the journal. Editorial responsibilities include:

• Fair and Transparent Decision-Making: Manuscripts are assessed solely based on academic merit and relevance.
• Ensuring Confidentiality: Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
• Handling Ethical Violations: The editorial team is responsible for investigating and addressing research misconduct.
• Facilitating Corrections and Retractions: Editors will publish corrections or retractions when necessary to uphold research integrity.

Ethical Conduct in Sports Medicine Research

Research in sports medicine often involves human subjects and physical performance assessments. Authors must ensure that:

• Informed Consent: Participants must provide written consent before participation in studies involving human subjects.
• Ethical Treatment of Subjects: Studies should adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the safety and well-being of participants.
• Transparency in Data Reporting: Research findings should be reported accurately and without manipulation.

Addressing Research Misconduct

JSMT has a zero-tolerance policy for research misconduct, including plagiarism, falsification, and unethical experimentation. In cases of suspected misconduct:

• The editorial team will conduct a thorough investigation.
• If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions such as retraction, reporting to institutions, or banning future submissions will be taken.

Our commitment to ethical publishing ensures that all research published in JSMT adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity.

For inquiries regarding publication ethics, please contact the editorial office at [email protected].