Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest Policy

The Journal of Sustainable Research in Applied Sciences is committed to ensuring transparency and integrity at all stages of the publishing process, including peer review and editorial decision-making. Managing conflicts of interest is a fundamental aspect of publication ethics, and all reviewers and editorial board members are required to disclose any potential conflicts prior to or during their participation in evaluating or editing scholarly content.

1. Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest is any situation that may, or may appear to, affect the objectivity of the review or editorial decision due to personal, professional, or financial interests.

2. Conflicts of Interest for Reviewers
Reviewers must:

  • Refrain from reviewing any manuscript where they have a direct personal or professional relationship with the authors (e.g., supervisor, colleague, research partner, or direct competitor).

  • Disclose any potential conflict to the editorial office before accepting the review.

  • Maintain objectivity and confidentiality, and not use any information from the manuscript for their own research.

Journal Procedure:
If a reviewer reports an actual or potential conflict of interest, the review is immediately withdrawn, and an impartial reviewer is assigned.

3. Conflicts of Interest for Editorial Board Members
Editorial board members must:

  • Refrain from making editorial decisions on manuscripts where they have a personal or professional interest.

  • Disclose any potential conflicts when handling manuscripts from affiliated institutions or authors with whom they have formal or personal relationships.

  • Delegate editorial decisions to another board member when a conflict of interest exists.

Journal Procedure:
All reported conflicts of interest are recorded, and the handling process is documented to ensure transparency.

4. Transparency and Updates
The journal regularly reviews and updates this policy to align with international best practices, ensuring the maintenance of academic integrity throughout the publishing process.