Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Pulmonology and Respiratory Research (JPRR) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all forms of malpractice seriously. This statement is based on the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the ICMJE, and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

General Principles

JPRR expects all parties involved in the publication process—authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers—to adhere to ethical practices. Unethical behavior such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or duplicate publication is not tolerated.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • Submit only original, unpublished work that is not under review elsewhere.
  • Acknowledge all sources of data, ideas, or words through accurate citation.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest and funding sources.
  • Provide access to raw data when requested for editorial review.
  • Ensure all listed authors meet authorship criteria as per ICMJE guidelines.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Make publication decisions based solely on the manuscript’s merit, originality, and relevance.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all submissions and reviewer identities.
  • Ensure a fair and unbiased peer review process.
  • Investigate allegations of misconduct in line with COPE’s flowcharts.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, based on academic merit alone.
  • Maintain confidentiality of the review process.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that might bias their judgment.
  • Report suspected misconduct to the editor promptly.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher supports editors in handling ethical issues and is committed to maintaining academic integrity by implementing policies against plagiarism, misconduct, and unethical practices.

Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication

JPRR uses plagiarism detection tools to identify overlapping or similar text. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism or redundant publication will be rejected, and authors may be barred from future submissions.

Research Ethics

Research involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent must be obtained and explicitly stated. Studies involving animals must follow institutional and international guidelines for animal care and use.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct

Allegations of misconduct, whether raised by readers, reviewers, or editors, will be taken seriously. Investigations will follow COPE guidelines and may result in corrections, retractions, or sanctions against authors.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If errors or ethical breaches are discovered after publication:

  • Corrections are issued for honest mistakes.
  • Retractions are issued for serious ethical breaches or invalid results.
  • Expressions of Concern are issued when investigations are inconclusive.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any relationships that could be perceived as conflicts of interest. Transparency ensures credibility and trust in published work.

Sanctions

Proven cases of malpractice may lead to:

  • Manuscript rejection or retraction.
  • Notification of the author’s institution or funder.
  • Ban on future submissions for a defined period.

FAQs

What happens if plagiarism is detected?

Manuscripts with confirmed plagiarism are immediately rejected. Published articles may be retracted with notices.

Can editors publish in JPRR?

Yes, but such submissions are handled with strict safeguards, including independent review and editorial oversight.

How are disputes between authors and reviewers resolved?

The Editor-in-Chief mediates disputes, guided by COPE principles, and may involve additional reviewers if necessary.

Conclusion

The Journal of Pulmonology and Respiratory Research (JPRR) is committed to the integrity of the academic record. By adhering to COPE, ICMJE, and WAME guidelines, JPRR ensures that its publication process remains transparent, fair, and ethical.