Authorship and Contributorship

In accordance with the principles of transparency and best practices in scholarly publishing, as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), this policy details the requirements for authorship and contributions to ensure clear and explicit attribution in published works. As an open-access journal applying the CC-BY-SA license, authors retain copyright over their articles while granting broad permissions for distribution and reuse. This journal adheres to the Core Practices established by COPE.

Authorship Criteria
Authorship of scholarly articles must be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. To qualify as an author, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Substantial Contribution: Authors are expected to make significant intellectual contributions to the article, which may include research conception or design, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and drafting or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content.

2. Approval of Final Version: All authors must approve the final version of the article and must agree to take responsibility for its content.

3. Accountability: Authors must be able to explain and defend their research findings in public forums, should the need arise.

Contribution Statement

To promote transparency and avoid misunderstandings, a contribution statement may be requested during the manuscript submission process. This statement must explicitly identify each author’s individual contribution to the research. While the statement will not be published, it serves to clarify the role of each author in the research and writing process.

Dispute Resolution

In the event of disputes or disagreements regarding authorship, the editorial board will follow a structured process to investigate and resolve the issue. The involved parties will be asked to provide evidence of their contributions to the research. The editorial board may also consult COPE or other relevant organizations to ensure a fair and impartial resolution. Personal disputes between authors will not be addressed by the editorial board.

Changes to Authorship

Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after manuscript submission will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Such requests must be supported by written explanations from all involved authors, clearly stating the reasons for the requested changes. The editorial board will carefully evaluate these requests and, if necessary, consult with journal advisors and review COPE guidelines to ensure the decision is in line with best practices.

Honorary and Ghost Authorship

Honorary authorship (also known as gift authorship) and ghost authorship (uncredited contributions) are strictly prohibited. Individuals who contribute only minimally to the research or article should be acknowledged in the acknowledgments section, but will not be listed as authors. The journal actively works to prevent and address cases of honorary and ghost authorship.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of their research when submitting the manuscript. Conflicts of interest may include financial interests, professional affiliations, or personal relationships that could compromise the impartiality and credibility of the work. The journal encourages full transparency regarding such disclosures to maintain the integrity of the research.

Compliance with Ethical Guidelines
Authors are required to adhere to the ethical guidelines and standards relevant to their field of research. This includes obtaining proper permissions for the use of copyrighted materials, securing informed consent from human subjects, and ensuring the ethical treatment of animals in research.

Review of Authorship Policy
This authorship policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to align with advancements in scholarly publishing practices and recommendations from relevant organizations. Any revisions to the policy will be communicated to authors promptly and published on the journal’s website.