Ethics Statement Al-Shifa Journal of Ophthalmology

 

The Al-Shifa Journal of Ophthalmology (ASJO) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in medical research and publication. Our policies ensure transparency, integrity, and respect for participants at every stage of the research and publication process.

This statement applies to all stakeholders, authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, and aligns with the principles set forth by recognized international bodies, including:

• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
• World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
• Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association)
• International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
• World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Trial Registry.

Readers and authors are encouraged to consult these documents for detailed ethical guidance.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit original work and properly acknowledge all sources. Submissions containing plagiarized text, figures, or data will be rejected or retracted. ASJO uses similarity detection tools to verify originality.

1.2 Data Accuracy and Research Integrity

All data must be accurate, honestly obtained, and reported transparently. Fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation of images or statistics is prohibited.

1.3 Authorship Criteria

Only individuals who made significant contributions to the study design, analysis, and writing should be listed as authors. All authors must approve the submitted version and be accountable for the entire work.

1.4 Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any personal or financial relationships that could influence the study’s interpretation or outcomes.

1.5 Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

All research involving human participants or animals must have prior approval from a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee.

Manuscripts must clearly state:

• The name of the ethics committee granting approval
• The approval reference number
• Confirmation that informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legal guardians (where applicable)

2. Research Involving Vulnerable Populations

Research involving vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities must follow additional ethical safeguards:

• Written informed consent must be obtained from parents or legal guardians in studies involving minors.
• Assent from the child participant should be sought whenever appropriate.
• Study procedures must minimize risks and be approved by an ethics committee specializing in vulnerable group protection.

For detailed guidance, please refer to: WMA Declaration of Helsinki, Section 19–23

3. Research Involving Clinical Trials

ASJO supports the principles of transparency, safety, and accountability in all clinical research.

Authors conducting clinical trials must ensure:

• Prospective registration in a publicly accessible registry (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov or WHO ICTRP).
• The trial registration number must be mentioned in the abstract and methods section.
• Clinical trials follow the Declaration of Helsinki and ICMJE’s recommendations for ethical research.
• Participant safety, monitoring, and adverse event reporting are integral to trial design.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality: All manuscripts must be treated as confidential.
• Objectivity: Reviews must be fair, evidence-based, and free of personal bias.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must decline if any conflict may affect impartiality.
• Constructive Feedback: Comments should aim to improve manuscript quality.

5. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

• Editorial Independence: Editorial decisions are made independently and based solely on scientific merit.
• Fair Evaluation: Manuscripts are assessed without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
• Confidentiality: Editors maintain strict confidentiality regarding submissions.
• Misconduct Handling: The editorial board will investigate allegations of plagiarism, falsification, or ethical misconduct following COPE’s flowcharts and guidelines

6. Handling Misconduct and Retractions

ASJO follows COPE and ICMJE guidance in addressing ethical violations. If misconduct is confirmed, the journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction notice. Authors’ institutions may also be notified.

7. Transparency and Data Availability

ASJO encourages transparency in reporting and recommends including data availability statements. Authors should make anonymized datasets accessible upon reasonable request, consistent with participant confidentiality and ethical approvals.

8. Ethical Oversight and Continuous Improvement

ASJO continuously reviews and updates its ethical policies to align with evolving international standards.

Full texts of all supported ethical frameworks are available through the functioning links provided above on this page and under the ASJO Policies Section.