Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine (JCCM) upholds the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing, ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of the publication process. As a leading journal in cardiovascular research, JCCM follows the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki.

Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial team of JCCM is committed to maintaining a fair and rigorous peer-review process, ensuring the publication of high-quality and ethically sound research. The editors:

  • Evaluate manuscripts based on scientific merit, originality, and ethical integrity without discrimination.
  • Ensure a double-blind peer review process, maintaining confidentiality throughout.
  • Actively detect and address conflicts of interest, research misconduct, and ethical violations.
  • Take appropriate action in cases of suspected plagiarism, data falsification, or duplicate publication.
  • Follow COPE guidelines for handling retractions, corrections, and editorial concerns.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to JCCM are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in research and publication. They must:

  • Ensure their work is original, properly cited, and free from plagiarism.
  • Acknowledge all sources of funding and declare any conflicts of interest.
  • Ensure the accuracy and validity of data, providing raw data upon request.
  • Obtain necessary ethical approvals and informed consent for studies involving human participants.
  • Properly credit all co-authors and contributors.
  • Disclose prior submissions or publications of similar work.
  • Notify the editorial office promptly in case of errors or necessary corrections.

Reviewer Responsibilities

The peer-review process is fundamental to maintaining the credibility of published research. Reviewers for JCCM are expected to:

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
  • Maintain confidentiality and avoid sharing manuscript details.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest that may affect their judgment.
  • Avoid using privileged information from reviewed manuscripts for personal or professional advantage.
  • Report suspected ethical issues, plagiarism, or data fabrication.

Ethical Considerations for Human and Animal Research

All research involving human or animal subjects must comply with ethical standards:

  • Studies involving human participants must obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee approval.
  • Informed consent must be obtained from all participants.
  • Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized public trial registry.
  • Animal studies must adhere to international guidelines for humane treatment.

Plagiarism, Data Falsification, and Misconduct

JCCM strictly prohibits unethical practices, including:

  • Plagiarism: All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software. Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is grounds for rejection.
  • Data Fabrication & Falsification: Manipulation, alteration, or fabrication of research data is strictly forbidden.
  • Duplicate & Redundant Publication: Authors must not submit previously published work or submit the same manuscript to multiple journals.

Handling of Ethical Violations

If ethical violations are detected, JCCM follows a structured process:

  • Investigation: Allegations of misconduct are reviewed by the editorial board.
  • Response: Authors and involved parties are given an opportunity to respond.
  • Actions: Possible consequences include manuscript rejection, retraction, notification to the author's institution, and blacklisting from future submissions.

Retractions and corrections follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

The Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine is dedicated to promoting ethical research and publication integrity. By following stringent ethical guidelines, we ensure that our journal remains a trusted platform for high-quality cardiovascular research.

For further inquiries regarding our ethical policies, please contact the editorial office at assistant-jccm@cardiologymedjournal.com.