Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Statement

Adherence to COPE Guidelines: The Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences rigorously follow the guidelines established by COPE, which provide a robust framework for maintaining ethical standards in research and publication. These guidelines encompass various aspects, including authorship, plagiarism prevention, data integrity, conflicts of interest, and ethical considerations in research.

Code of Conduct: The Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences maintains a comprehensive Code of Conduct that serves as a guiding document for all stakeholders involved in the publication process. Our code outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency.

Rigorous and Transparent Peer Review Process: To ensure the quality and credibility of the articles we publish, we employ a rigorous and transparent peer review process. Our journal carefully selects expert reviewers with relevant expertise in the field, who assess submissions based on scientific merit, methodology, and ethical compliance. The confidentiality of the review process is strictly maintained to encourage open and unbiased evaluation.

Misconduct Policies: The Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards research misconduct. Instances of plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or other unethical behaviors are thoroughly investigated. Our journal follows established procedures for handling such cases, which may include collaboration with relevant institutions, conducting investigations, and implementing appropriate measures to address the misconduct.

Corrections and Retractions: We are committed to upholding the accuracy and integrity of published articles. In the event of serious ethical violations or significant errors, the Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences promptly addresses the situation. Corrections or retractions are issued following careful evaluation and consultation with the involved parties, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Emphasis on Informed Consent: Our journal places paramount importance on protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants. Authors are required to obtain informed consent in compliance with ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements. We expect authors to provide explicit details on how informed consent was obtained and maintained throughout the study.

Strict Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences maintains a strict policy on conflict of interest disclosure. All authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research, analysis, or interpretation of findings. We uphold transparency and impartiality by managing conflicts of interest appropriately and ensuring they do not compromise the integrity of our publications.

Encouraging Ethical Reporting: We actively encourage authors, reviewers, and readers to report any ethical concerns or potential misconduct related to our published articles. Such reports are treated with utmost seriousness and confidentiality. Our journal investigates all concerns promptly and takes appropriate action to address any verified ethical violations, safeguarding the integrity of the published work.

COPE Resources: For additional guidance on publication ethics and best practices, we recommend visiting the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) website at www.publicationethics.org. COPE provides a wealth of resources, including guidelines, flowcharts, and case studies that offer valuable insights into ethical publishing practices.