Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
In an effort to reduce the possibility of potential conflicts of interest, the submissions to the GJPB are given to various editors and reviewers. The following kinds of relationships between editors, reviewers and authors are considered potential sources of conflict and are therefore avoided: Co-workers now working with the editor and reviewers, former colleagues and former co-authors.
In the context of an organization or an individual, a conflict of interest can refer to a financial or non-financial situation, a professional or personal circumstance, or any combination of these.
Authors
When authors submit a manuscript, it is the authors' responsibility to disclose all relationships and activities that could bias or give the appearance of bias to work (e.g., employment or voluntary involvement, stock ownership, honoraria, consulting fees or lecture fees, royalties, research contracts, patent licenses, advisory affiliations, etc.). When it comes to questions regarding authors' potential conflicts of interest, GJPB is committed to adhering to the ICMJE guidance on "Author Responsibilities—Conflicts of Interest."
To simplify and standardize the disclosure process for authors, the ICMJE has developed a Disclosure Form; to download the ICMJE COI form. While submitting a manuscript, authors are obligated to upload the properly filled out and signed form during the submission.
They also have the option of sending it by email to editor@gjpb.de. Please click on the link provided to read the comprehensive advice that the ICMJE has provided about the disclosure of financial and non-financial relationships and activities and conflicts of interest.
Peer Reviewers
When there is a possibility of bias, reviewers must inform the journal editors and abstain from evaluating specific manuscripts until they have disclosed their relationships and/or activities to the editors. In reviewing a work, reviewers should not try to gain an advantage over the author by knowing details about the work before it is released to the public. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest should be made through the review form included in your reviewer login section.
Editors and Journal Staff
In the event of a conflict of interest involving an article under consideration, GJPB editors who make final editorial decisions on submissions should recuse from making those choices. Others on the editorial team must disclose any relationships or activities that could influence editorial judgments, and they must abstain from any decisions in which they have an interest that could lead to a conflict of interest. The information received from working with manuscripts should not be used for personal advantage by editorial staff. Whenever an editor submits his or her own work to GJPB, he or she must leave the discussion and decision-making to a colleague in the editorial office.
Note: These policies are based upon the ICMJE recommendations.
You may refer to COPE guidelines for more information on Conflict of Interest policies
