PUBLICATION ETHICS

The Medisch Recht Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement is based on the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which can be accessed at:
https://publicationethics.org/

The journal follows COPE Core Practices to ensure integrity, transparency, and best practices in scholarly publishing.

This policy applies to all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors must ensure that:

  • Their manuscripts are original, and all sources are properly cited
  • The work has not been published previously nor is under consideration elsewhere
  • Data presented are accurate and free from fabrication or falsification
  • All authors have made significant contributions and approved the final manuscript
  • Conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed
  • Proper acknowledgment of others’ work is provided

Authors must also adhere to ethical standards involving human subjects, including informed consent where applicable.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Making decisions based on academic merit, originality, and relevance
  • Ensuring a fair, unbiased, and confidential review process
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest
  • Maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record
  • Taking appropriate action in cases of suspected misconduct

Editors must evaluate manuscripts without discrimination.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide objective and constructive feedback
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Identify relevant uncited work
  • Declare conflicts of interest
  • Avoid using unpublished material for personal benefit

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher is committed to:

  • Supporting editorial independence
  • Ensuring ethical publishing practices
  • Preventing commercial influence on editorial decisions
  • Assisting in resolving ethical issues

Handling of Misconduct

Cases of misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication, duplicate publication) will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Actions may include:

  • Rejection of manuscript
  • Retraction of published articles
  • Notification to affiliated institutions
  • Submission bans

Corrections and Retractions

The journal ensures transparency by publishing corrections, clarifications, or retractions when necessary to maintain the integrity of the academic record.