Standards
The journal expects honest reporting, appropriate authorship, transparent disclosure, ethical research conduct and responsible data practices.
Unacceptable practices
Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, redundant publication, inappropriate image manipulation, citation manipulation, undisclosed conflicts, authorship manipulation and peer-review manipulation may lead to investigation and editorial action.
Human/animal research
State relevant ethics approval/exemption, consent and participant protections, or animal-welfare approval where applicable.
Integrity screening and concerns
The editorial office may request source data, ethics documentation, image clarification, authorship confirmation or other supporting material when a concern requires verification. Questions should be handled fairly, confidentially and with an opportunity for relevant parties to respond.
Post-publication record
Material errors or integrity concerns discovered after publication may lead to a correction, editorial notice, expression of concern, retraction or other transparent update appropriate to the evidence.