Conflict Resolution Policy

  1. Introduction

The PIMA Journal of Health Sciences (PIMAJHS) is committed to fostering an ethical, transparent, and fair publishing environment. This Conflict Resolution Policy outlines the procedures for addressing disputes that may arise during the publication process, including conflicts between authors, reviewers, editors, and other stakeholders.

  1. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to conflicts related to:

  • Authorship disputes
  • Manuscript review and editorial decisions
  • Plagiarism and research misconduct allegations
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Breach of confidentiality
  • Retractions and corrections
  1. Principles of Conflict Resolution

PIMAJHS follows the following principles to resolve conflicts fairly and efficiently:

  • Confidentiality: All conflict-related discussions and documents will remain confidential.
  • Impartiality: Conflicts will be managed in a neutral manner, free from bias.
  • Timeliness: All conflicts will be addressed promptly to ensure smooth publication processes.
  • Transparency: Resolution procedures and results will be communicated clearly to the parties involved.
  • Adherence to Ethical Standards: The journal follows guidelines from Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors WAME).
  1. Conflict Resolution Procedures

4.1 Authorship Disputes

  • Authors must agree on authorship contributions before submission.
  • If a dispute arises, authors should try resolution internally.
  • If unresolved, PIMAJHS will follow COPE guidelines and may request documentation (e.g., contribution statements, correspondence between authors).
  • The journal may involve the authors’ affiliated institutions if necessary.

4.2 Manuscript Review and Editorial Decisions

  • If an author disputes an editorial decision, they may submit a formal appeal to the editorial office within 30 days of the decision.
  • The appeal must provide justification and relevant evidence.
  • The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal and may consult an independent reviewer or advisory board.
  • The final decision will be communicated to the author within 30 days of the appeal submission.

4.3 Plagiarism and Research Misconduct Allegations

  • Allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification will be investigated using plagiarism detection software and expert evaluation.
  • The accused author(s) will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
  • If misconduct is confirmed, proper actions (e.g., rejection, retraction, reporting to institutions) will be taken.
  • The Journals policy and COPE guidelines will be followed for ethical resolution.

4.4 Conflicts of Interest

  • Authors, reviewers, and editors must declare conflicts of interest (financial, personal, or professional relationships).
  • If a conflict of interest is reported after publication, the editorial team will assess its impact.
  • Depending on severity, actions may include correction, expression of concern, or retraction.

4.5 Breach of Confidentiality

  • Reviewers and editors must maintain confidentiality of manuscripts and peer review processes.
  • Any breach of confidentiality should be reported immediately to the editorial office.
  • The editors or team assigned will investigate and take proper disciplinary action, which may include banning the reviewer from future contributions.

4.6 Retractions and Corrections

  • Retractions will be issued in cases of significant ethical breaches or errors affecting the validity of research findings.
  • Corrections will be issued for minor errors that do not impact the study's conclusions.
  • Authors will be notified before retraction or correction decisions are made.
  • All retractions/corrections will be published transparently on the journal’s website.
  1. Resolution Mechanisms

If conflicts cannot be resolved internally, the editors may:

  • Seek advice from an independent ethics committee.
  • Refer cases to COPE or the authors' affiliated institutions.
  • In extreme cases, legal or regulatory bodies are involved.
  1. Reporting a Conflict

Anyone involved in the publication process (authors, reviewers, editors) may report a conflict by:

  • Submitting a written complaint to the editorial office via [email contact].
  • Providing relevant evidence to support their claim.
  • Requesting anonymity if needed.
  1. Final Decision Authority

The Editor-in-Chief holds the final decision authority on all conflict resolution matters. In cases requiring external intervention, PIMAJHS will follow international ethical guidelines.

  1. Conclusion

The Emerging Health Research Journal prioritizes ethical integrity and transparency. This policy ensures that all conflicts are resolved professionally, safeguarding the credibility of scientific research and publishing.

This policy will be reviewed periodically to align with evolving ethical standards.