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Journal of Interprofessional Research and Education

Publication Ethics Statement

Publication Ethics Statement

The Journal of Interprofessional Research and Education is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Our ethical principles are guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and reflect the unique values of interprofessional collaboration, respect, and inclusivity in health care education and research.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

  • Originality. Authors must submit only original work that has not been published elsewhere, except in the form of an abstract or conference proceeding clearly disclosed at submission.
  • Authorship. Authorship should accurately reflect substantial contributions to conception, design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and writing. All contributors should be acknowledged and authors must meet the journal's authorship criteria.
  • Disclosure. Authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest—financial, professional, or personal—that could be perceived to influence the research or its interpretation.
  • Ethical conduct. Research involving human participants or animals must demonstrate compliance with institutional review boards/ethics committees and relevant international ethical standards. Statements of ethical approval and informed consent procedures must be provided where applicable.
  • Data and reproducibility. Authors should provide accurate presentation of methods and results and make data, code, and materials available where possible (subject to privacy and legal constraints).

2. Responsibilities of Editors

  • Fair evaluation. Manuscripts will be evaluated solely on scholarly merit, relevance, and contribution to interprofessional education and research, regardless of race, gender, profession, or institutional affiliation.
  • Confidentiality. Editors will maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related correspondence, except where disclosure is necessary for investigatory or legal reasons.
  • Decision-making. Editorial decisions will be made transparently and free from undue influence. Editors will manage conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when appropriate.
  • Compliance with best practice. Editors will follow COPE guidance and industry best practices when handling ethical issues, corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Confidentiality. Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents and not share or discuss them outside the review process.
  • Objectivity and constructiveness. Reviews should be objective, timely, and constructive, aimed at improving the scholarship and reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
  • Disclosure of conflicts. Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest and decline to review when such conflicts exist.
  • Use of privileged information. Information obtained through peer review must not be used for personal advantage.

4. Research and Publication Misconduct

The journal has zero tolerance for plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, or other forms of research misconduct. Allegations will be investigated promptly and fairly in accordance with COPE recommendations and relevant institutional procedures. Outcomes may include rejection, publication of corrections, retraction, and notification of employers or funders where appropriate.

5. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If errors or issues are identified after publication, the journal will correct the literature promptly and transparently. Retractions or expressions of concern will be issued when warranted, following COPE guidance and ensuring notices are clearly linked to the affected articles.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

The journal is committed to protecting personal and sensitive data in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies. Authors must ensure that participant confidentiality is preserved and that data sharing complies with consent agreements and legal restrictions.

7. Commitment to Interprofessional Values

The journal affirms principles of mutual respect, equity, inclusivity, and collaboration that are central to interprofessional practice. Editors, reviewers, and authors are expected to reflect these values in their scholarship, interactions, and professional conduct.

Note: This statement is informed by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) principles and is intended to guide authors, editors, and reviewers. The journal may update this policy periodically; the most current version will be available on the journal's website.

Contact: For questions about publication ethics, corrections, or suspected misconduct, please contact the journal's Editorial Office at ckoch@geoergefox.edu.