Ethical Standards for Authors

Authors submitting to Heighpubs Otolaryngology and Rhinology (HOR) must uphold the highest standards of publication ethics. This policy is aligned with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

Originality and Plagiarism

  • Manuscripts must be original and not under consideration elsewhere.
  • Plagiarism, duplicate publication, and self-plagiarism are strictly prohibited.
  • All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection tools.

Authorship and Contributions

HOR follows ICMJE authorship criteria. Authors must:

  • Make substantial contributions to conception, design, execution, or interpretation of research.
  • Approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • Be accountable for the integrity of the work.

Contributions should be specified using the CRediT taxonomy (e.g., Conceptualization, Data Curation, Writing, Supervision).

Data Integrity and Availability

  • Authors must ensure accuracy and reliability of data.
  • Raw data should be retained and made available upon request.
  • Data sharing through repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Dryad) is encouraged.

Conflicts of Interest

  • All financial and non-financial conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
  • Authors must declare funding sources, grants, and institutional support.

Human and Animal Research Ethics

  • Human research must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki.
  • Informed consent is mandatory for human participants.
  • Animal studies must follow ARRIVE guidelines and institutional approval.

Clinical Trials

Authors must register clinical trials in recognized registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov) and include registration numbers in manuscripts.

Redundant or Duplicate Publication

Submitting the same work to multiple journals is unethical. Overlapping publications must be transparently declared.

Corrections and Retractions

  • Authors must promptly notify editors if errors are discovered post-publication.
  • HOR publishes corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as needed.

Image and Figure Integrity

  • Images must not be manipulated in ways that misrepresent results.
  • Adjustments for clarity (contrast, brightness) must be applied consistently.
  • Composite images must be clearly labeled.

Case Reports and Patient Privacy

  • Patient anonymity must be preserved.
  • Written informed consent is required for case reports and images.

Preprints and Prior Dissemination

HOR accepts submissions previously posted as preprints. Authors must disclose preprint links during submission.

Consequences of Misconduct

  • Manuscript rejection or withdrawal
  • Retraction of published articles
  • Notification to authors’ institutions or funders
  • Future submission restrictions

Example: An author found to have fabricated data will face article retraction, notification of their institution, and future submission bans.

FAQs

Can I submit a manuscript under review elsewhere?

No, simultaneous submission is not allowed.

How are disputes over authorship handled?

Disputes are referred to COPE’s authorship dispute guidelines for resolution.

Is self-citation allowed?

Yes, but excessive self-citation that distorts scholarship is discouraged.

What if I discover an error in my published work?

Notify the editorial office immediately for correction or retraction.

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