Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest Policy

The Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences (GJNS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and impartiality in all editorial and publishing processes. To safeguard the trust of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, GJNS requires full disclosure of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest (COIs) that may compromise—or appear to compromise—the objectivity of research, peer review, and editorial decisions.

This policy aligns with international best practices set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

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1. Definition of Conflict of Interest

A Conflict of Interest exists when financial, personal, professional, institutional, or other relationships could inappropriately influence—or be perceived to influence—the conduct, interpretation, review, or publication of research.

Examples of COIs include:

✅ Financial Interests: Grants, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, or patents.
✅ Personal Relationships: Close family, friendships, adversarial relationships with authors, reviewers, or editors.
✅ Academic Competition or Rivalry: Potential bias due to competing research interests.
✅ Institutional Affiliations: Ties to organizations with a vested interest in the manuscript’s outcome.
✅ Non-Financial Interests: Political, religious, or ideological beliefs that could affect impartiality.

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2. Responsibilities

2.1 Responsibilities of Authors

  • Full Disclosure: All authors must declare financial and non-financial COIs at the time of manuscript submission.
  • Funding Transparency: Clearly state all sources of research funding and their roles in study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
  • Example Disclosure Statements:
    • “The authors declare no conflicts of interest.”
    • “Author A received funding from Organization X, which had no role in study design, data analysis, or publication.”

Required Action: A Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (provided by GJNS) must accompany all submissions.

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2.2 Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Recusal: Reviewers must decline invitations to review if they have any personal, professional, or financial COI with authors, their institutions, or the subject matter.
  • Confidentiality: Information from manuscripts under review must not be used for personal or professional gain.
  • Bias Avoidance: Reviewers should disclose any circumstances that might compromise their impartiality.

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2.3 Responsibilities of Editors

  • Impartiality in Decision-Making: Editors and editorial board members must disclose any COIs affecting their editorial responsibilities.
  • Editorial Recusal: Editors with a COI will withdraw from handling the manuscript, and an independent editor will be assigned.
  • Transparency: GJNS will publish declarations of editorial COIs where relevant.

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3. Investigation and Handling of Undisclosed COIs

If a COI is discovered post-submission or post-publication:

3.1 Investigation Process

  • Initiated within 2–4 weeks of notification.
  • Involves consultation with authors, reviewers, or editors involved.

3.2 Corrective Actions

✅ Minor cases: Issue a Correction Notice disclosing the COI.
✅ Major cases: Retract the article with a Retraction Notice citing undisclosed COIs.
✅ Sanctions: Restrict future submissions or editorial involvement for serious breaches.

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4. Cultural, Ethical, and Legal Considerations

GJNS ensures COI management aligns with Afghan cultural values and Islamic ethical principles, fostering fairness, transparency, and respect for all stakeholders.

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5. Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with evolving international standards and ethical publishing practices.

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Contact for COI Disclosures or Queries

Email: [Insert official GJNS editorial email]
CC: rpashtoon@hotmail.com
Editorial Office – Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences, Kandahar University

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Value-Added Features for GJNS

✅ Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form Template (for authors, reviewers, and editors)
✅ Visual Infographic for Website: “What Constitutes a COI?”
✅ Quick Link: “Report a COI Concern” button on journal website
✅ Integration with ORCID IDs for automatic COI tracking
✅ Alignment with funder requirements (e.g., NIH, EU Horizon 2020)

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For Website Display – Quick Summary

“GJNS requires all participants in the publishing process—authors, reviewers, and editors—to disclose any relationships or interests that could influence their work. This ensures transparency and trustworthiness in all stages of research dissemination.”