Publication Ethics Policy

The Publication Ethics Policy of Heighpubs Otolaryngology and Rhinology (HOR) ensures that all published content meets the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and scholarly credibility. This policy is guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the ICMJE Recommendations, the WAME Principles, and the DOAJ best practices.

Core Ethical Principles

  • Integrity: Honest reporting of research, free from fabrication or falsification.
  • Transparency: Full disclosure of conflicts of interest and funding.
  • Respect: Ethical treatment of human participants, animals, and data.
  • Accountability: Clear responsibility shared among authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • Submit only original and unpublished manuscripts.
  • Provide accurate and verifiable data, with access to raw data on request.
  • Properly cite all sources and acknowledge prior work.
  • List authorship fairly—no ghost, gift, or guest authorship.
  • Disclose all funding sources and conflicts of interest.
  • Ensure IRB/ethics approval and informed consent when applicable.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Make fair and unbiased editorial decisions, independent of author identity.
  • Maintain manuscript confidentiality throughout the review process.
  • Assign reviewers with relevant expertise and no conflicts of interest.
  • Act promptly on allegations of misconduct, following COPE flowcharts.
  • Publish corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern as needed.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
  • Keep manuscripts confidential.
  • Declare conflicts of interest before reviewing.
  • Identify ethical issues, plagiarism, or duplicate submissions.

Publisher Responsibilities

HOR’s publisher, Heighpubs, safeguards editorial independence, ensures infrastructure for ethical publishing, and works with authors, reviewers, and editors to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Research Misconduct

HOR defines misconduct as including (but not limited to):

  • Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism)
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Duplicate submission or redundant publication
  • Improper authorship practices
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Handling Allegations of Misconduct

Allegations are handled according to COPE flowcharts, with responses proportionate to the severity of misconduct. Actions may include:

  • Requesting clarification from authors
  • Rejecting manuscripts or withdrawing accepted submissions
  • Issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern
  • Informing authors’ institutions or funders
  • Imposing submission bans in severe cases

Example: If fabricated data are discovered post-publication, HOR will retract the article, issue a notice, and inform the authors’ institution.

Corrections and Retractions

HOR follows COPE guidelines for maintaining the scholarly record:

  • Corrections: For minor errors not affecting conclusions
  • Retractions: For invalid or unethical findings
  • Expressions of Concern: For unresolved ethical investigations

Plagiarism Prevention

All manuscripts are checked with plagiarism detection tools. Overlaps above 20% (excluding references and methods) require revision or rejection.

Conflict of Interest Policy

All participants in publishing must declare conflicts of interest. Examples include financial ties, employment relationships, personal rivalries, or intellectual bias.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or file complaints regarding the peer review process. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, if necessary, an independent ethics committee.

FAQs

Can readers report ethical concerns?

Yes, readers may contact the editorial office with concerns about published content.

How does HOR ensure fairness in review?

Through double-blind peer review, clear reviewer guidelines, and conflict-of-interest checks.

What happens if misconduct is proven?

Appropriate corrective action is taken, including retraction and institutional notification.

Contact Information