Conflict of Interest

Conflicts of Interest and Editorial Independence

All authors, editors, reviewers, and other individuals involved in the assessment of post-publication submissions must disclose relevant actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Conflicts may arise from personal relationships, institutional affiliations, financial interests, professional competition, collaborative relationships, or other circumstances that could influence the impartial assessment of a submission.

The journal will take reasonable steps to manage disclosed conflicts, including assigning an independent editor or reviewer where appropriate.

Editorial decisions must be based on scholarly merit, relevance, evidence, research integrity, and the journal's established policies.

No decision should be influenced by personal disagreements, institutional status, commercial interests, academic rivalry, or pressure intended to suppress legitimate scholarly criticism.