MSD Publications - Ethical Policies

Science publication is a critical process in which many people and processes involved. MSD Publications intended to uphold the integrity of publications; hence, we request our contributors, editors, reviewers and people involved in various stages of publication to follow the ethical guidelines to improve the value of academic publishing.

Publishers

  • MSD Publications committed to integrate the research communities
  • Encourage the editorial independence to run the journals
  • Encourage transparent editorial and review activities
  • We follow academic ethics in publication, corrections and retractions of articles whenever necessary
  • We allow editors and reviewers to act independently in making decisions
  • We never encourage geographical, racial, gender difference rather scientific merit

Authors

  • Authors ensure that their work is original
  • Authors make sure that the work has not been published and not under consideration
  • The work does not infringe any intellectual property rights and or privacy
  • Authors ensure that their data is not manipulated
  • Should mention the authorship, contributions, affiliation etc
  • Authors should also include the funding sources under acknowledgements
  • Authors need to mention conflicts of interest if any
  • They should also mention commercial or financial benefits if any
  • Authors ensure that the material extracted is properly cited
  • Need to provide the ethical committee approval in case of human/animal studies
  • Patient consent should be provided upon request
  • Authors make sure that the paper is complete and all supporting material is included

Reviewers

  • We encourage reviewers to scrutinize the paper based on scientific merit but not based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, citizenry or political values of authors
  • Conflict of the interest if any with any given manuscript should be communicated with the editor
  • Should maintain the confidentiality
  • Making decisions fair and impartial
  • Should have self code of conduct

Editors

  • Should prepare the journal ethical policies and promote among reviewers and editors
  • Should make fair and transparent decisions
  • Should notify potential conflict if any
  • Decisions must be given based on the scientific merit but not based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, citizenry or political values of authors
  • Select reviewers and other editorial board members based on academic merit
  • Maintain confidentiality and may disclose the information to the appropriate people
  • Maintain the highest level of integrity and standards