At the Journal of Interdisciplinary Social, Digital, Creative & Engineering Studies (JISDCES), we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. A conflict of interest arises when personal, financial, professional, or ideological interests may influence—or appear to influence—the objectivity, integrity, or judgment of authors, reviewers, or editors during the publication process.
In alignment with guidelines from international bodies such as the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the Council of Science Editors (CSE), and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), JISDCES adopts a comprehensive conflict of interest policy to ensure full transparency in all stages of manuscript handling.
What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest?
1. Financial Conflicts
- Direct or indirect financial benefits (such as grants, consultancy fees, stock ownership, or honoraria) from organizations or individuals who may be affected by the research.
- Financial relationships with commercial entities or institutions with a vested interest in the manuscript’s outcomes.
- Patent ownership or applications related to the study or its content.
2. Non-Financial Conflicts
Responsibilities of Authors
All submitting authors are required to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest in a dedicated “Conflict of Interest” section in the manuscript. If there are no conflicts to declare, authors must clearly state:
"The authors declare no conflict of interest."
Authors working on sponsored projects or industry-funded studies must identify the funding sources and specify their role in the study design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers
Editors and reviewers must recuse themselves from handling a manuscript if a conflict exists that could bias their evaluation. Conflicts should be disclosed promptly to the editorial office. Reviewers must evaluate submissions solely on academic merit and avoid any undue influence based on competing interests.
If a conflict of interest is identified during or after peer review, the editorial team reserves the right to reassess the manuscript and make appropriate editorial decisions, including reassigning reviewers or editors.
Note
JISDCES encourages full disclosure to foster trust and maintain the integrity of scholarly communication. Any breach of this policy may result in corrective actions, including rejection or retraction of the article.
