Conflicts of Interest/Competing Interests

1. Introduction

Conflicts of interest (COIs), also referred to as competing interests, may influence the objectivity, integrity, or credibility of research. IJASCE is committed to transparent disclosure and responsible management of COIs among authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff. This policy is aligned with COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Recommendations, and WAME guidance.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all individuals involved in the publication process, including:

  • Authors submitting manuscripts

  • Peer reviewers and editors handling manuscripts

  • Editorial board members and journal staff

3. Policy Statement and Guidelines

A conflict of interest exists when professional judgment regarding a primary interest (e.g., scientific validity, public interest) may be influenced by a secondary interest (e.g., financial gain, personal relationships, institutional affiliations, ideological beliefs).

3.1 Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial relationships and activities that may be perceived as influencing their work. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Employment or consultancies

  • Stock ownership or options

  • Grants or funding from commercial entities

  • Personal relationships or rivalries

  • Academic or intellectual beliefs that could affect objectivity

Disclosure must be included in the manuscript’s “Conflicts of Interest” section and in the submission form. Failure to disclose relevant COIs may lead to manuscript rejection or retraction.

3.2 Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers must disclose any COIs that could bias their evaluation of a manuscript. These may include:

  • Close personal or professional relationships with the authors

  • Financial ties to related research or competing products

  • Ideological or academic conflicts

Reviewers who feel unable to provide an impartial review should decline the assignment.

3.3 Editors’ and Staff Responsibilities

Editors and editorial staff must disclose all potential COIs. Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict. Editorial decisions must be based solely on scholarly merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.

Editorial board members must also disclose COIs when involved in strategic or editorial discussions and decisions.

3.4 Disclosure Format

IJASCE follows the ICMJE Disclosure Form template and encourages authors to use it. Disclosures will be published with the article to ensure transparency.

4. Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for accurately disclosing all relevant competing interests at submission and updating them as necessary.
Reviewers must maintain objectivity and declare any potential COIs before accepting a review assignment.
Editors are expected to avoid conflicts and to manage any disclosed COIs with transparency and integrity.
Journal staff must avoid using confidential manuscript information for personal benefit.

5. Process for Handling Breaches

Undisclosed or misrepresented conflicts of interest may result in:

  • Request for clarification or correction

  • Retraction of the article

  • Notification to the author's or reviewer’s institution

  • Restriction from future submissions or review participation

These decisions will follow COPE guidance and be based on the severity and intent of the breach.

6. Related Policies and References

  • COPE Guidelines on Conflict of Interest

  • ICMJE Recommendations: Disclosure of Financial and Non-Financial Relationships and Activities

  • IJASCE’s Authorship Policy

  • IJASCE’s Peer Review Policy

7. Review and Updates

This policy was last reviewed in August 2025. It is reviewed annually or in response to updates in international best practices.