Research Integrity Policy

Research Integrity Policy

Research Integrity, Responsible Conduct of Research, and Publication Ethics Policy

The Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR) is committed to promoting research integrity, ethical scholarly publishing, transparency, reproducibility, and responsible scientific communication.

The journal expects all participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, editors, editorial board members, and publishers—to uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and ethical conduct in research and publication activities.

JPADR follows internationally recognized ethical publishing principles and guidance from:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

This policy outlines the journal’s expectations regarding:

  • Responsible conduct of research
  • Ethical publication practices
  • Data reliability
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Handling of research misconduct
Research Integrity Commitment

JPADR recognizes that ethical research and responsible publication practices are fundamental to maintaining scientific credibility, protecting public trust, and advancing evidence-based healthcare and pharmacovigilance research.

1. Purpose of This Policy

This policy establishes the principles and expectations that guide responsible research conduct and ethical scholarly publishing within the Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research.

The policy aims to:

  • Promote ethical research and publication practices.
  • Preserve the integrity of the scientific record.
  • Ensure accountability in scholarly communication.
  • Encourage transparency and reproducibility.
  • Prevent research and publication misconduct.

The journal recognizes that research integrity is fundamental to scientific progress, public trust, evidence-based healthcare, and responsible dissemination of scientific knowledge.

2. Principles of Research Integrity

JPADR expects every manuscript submitted for editorial consideration to demonstrate adherence to internationally accepted principles of responsible research conduct.

Research submitted to the journal should demonstrate:

  • Honesty in reporting research.
  • Accuracy of data and analyses.
  • Transparency throughout the research process.
  • Accountability for all reported findings.
  • Reproducibility where scientifically feasible.
  • Compliance with applicable ethical standards.

Authors are expected to present research findings truthfully and completely without inappropriate manipulation, fabrication, falsification, selective reporting, or intentional omission of relevant information.

Integrity applies throughout the entire research lifecycle—from study design and data collection to manuscript preparation, peer review, publication, and post-publication communication.

3. Responsible Conduct of Research

Authors submitting manuscripts to JPADR are expected to conduct research responsibly and in accordance with applicable ethical, professional, institutional, and regulatory requirements.

Authors are expected to:

  • Conduct research ethically and responsibly.
  • Maintain accurate and complete research records.
  • Preserve original research data where appropriate.
  • Report research findings honestly and transparently.
  • Disclose relevant conflicts of interest.
  • Obtain all necessary ethical approvals before initiating research.
  • Comply with applicable institutional, national, and international regulations.

Research should comply with recognized ethical standards governing biomedical research, pharmacovigilance investigations, clinical studies, observational research, laboratory investigations, and other scientific activities relevant to the journal's scope.

4. Data Integrity and Reliability

Authors bear primary responsibility for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, reliability, and completeness of all data reported within submitted manuscripts.

Authors should ensure that:

  • Data are accurate and reliable.
  • Results are reported transparently.
  • Statistical analyses are appropriate.
  • Research findings are reproducible where feasible.
  • Images, graphs, and figures are not misleadingly manipulated.

During editorial assessment or post-publication investigations, the journal may request supporting documentation including:

  • Original raw data.
  • Ethics approval documentation.
  • Clinical trial registration information.
  • Statistical analysis outputs.
  • Supporting research materials.

Failure to provide requested documentation may affect editorial evaluation and publication decisions.

5. Research Misconduct

The Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR) does not tolerate research misconduct, publication misconduct, or unethical scholarly practices at any stage of the research, submission, peer-review, editorial, or publication process.

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication of data.
  • Falsification of research results.
  • Plagiarism.
  • Image manipulation.
  • Citation manipulation.
  • Peer-review manipulation.
  • Duplicate publication.
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
  • Authorship misconduct.
  • Misrepresentation of ethical approval.

Where credible concerns arise, the journal may investigate suspected misconduct in accordance with its editorial policies, publication ethics procedures, and internationally recognized ethical guidance.

Important: Allegations of research misconduct are evaluated objectively, confidentially, and fairly. Editorial actions are based on evidence rather than assumptions or unverified allegations.

6. Fabrication and Falsification

Fabrication

Fabrication refers to the invention or creation of research information that did not actually occur, including:

  • Data.
  • Experimental results.
  • Patient information.
  • Research observations.
  • Scientific findings.

Falsification

Falsification refers to inappropriate manipulation or alteration of research materials in ways that misrepresent scientific findings.

Examples include manipulation of:

  • Research data.
  • Images.
  • Experimental methods.
  • Statistical analyses.
  • Research results.

Both fabrication and falsification constitute serious violations of research integrity and publication ethics.

Where such concerns arise, the journal may request:

  • Original raw datasets.
  • Laboratory records.
  • Statistical outputs.
  • Study documentation.
  • Ethics approval documentation.

Failure to adequately address concerns may result in editorial actions including manuscript rejection, correction, retraction, or institutional notification where appropriate.

7. Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication

Authors are responsible for ensuring that submitted manuscripts are original and properly acknowledge the work of others.

JPADR prohibits:

  • Direct plagiarism.
  • Mosaic plagiarism.
  • Self-plagiarism without appropriate disclosure.
  • Duplicate publication.
  • Redundant publication.

All submitted manuscripts may undergo similarity assessment using recognized plagiarism detection software such as:

  • iThenticate.
  • Turnitin.
  • Equivalent similarity detection systems.

Similarity reports are interpreted within the scientific context of the manuscript. Editorial decisions are based on the nature, extent, and significance of any identified overlap rather than solely on numerical similarity scores.

Proper quotation, citation, attribution, and disclosure of previously published material are essential components of responsible scholarly publishing.

8. Authorship Integrity

Authorship should accurately reflect meaningful intellectual contributions to the research and manuscript preparation.

JPADR expects authorship to comply with internationally recognized authorship standards.

The journal discourages:

  • Gift authorship.
  • Ghost authorship.
  • Guest authorship.
  • Misrepresentation of author contributions.

All listed authors should:

  • Approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • Accept responsibility for their individual contributions.
  • Agree to manuscript submission and publication.

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that authorship information is accurate, complete, transparent, and agreed upon by all contributors before submission.

9. Ethical Approval and Human/Animal Research

Research involving human participants, human biological materials, identifiable personal data, animals, or clinical trials must comply with applicable ethical principles, institutional requirements, and relevant national and international regulations.

Authors should ensure that appropriate ethical approval has been obtained before commencing research where required.

Where applicable, manuscripts should include:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval details.
  • Statements regarding informed consent.
  • Animal Ethics Committee approval information.
  • Clinical trial registration details.
  • Compliance with applicable ethical guidelines.

The journal may request supporting ethical documentation during editorial assessment or following publication if concerns arise regarding research ethics compliance.

Ethical Compliance Requirement

Failure to provide appropriate ethical approval documentation or evidence of ethical compliance may result in manuscript rejection, suspension of editorial evaluation, or additional investigation.

10. Clinical Trial Registration

JPADR supports prospective registration of clinical trials in publicly accessible and recognized clinical trial registries where registration is required or considered best practice.

Authors should provide:

  • Clinical trial registration number.
  • Name of the trial registry.
  • Date of registration where applicable.

Prospective registration enhances:

  • Research transparency.
  • Public accountability.
  • Scientific credibility.
  • Reduction of selective outcome reporting.

Failure to disclose required clinical trial registration information may affect editorial evaluation and publication decisions.

11. Data Sharing and Transparency

JPADR encourages responsible data sharing to promote transparency, reproducibility, verification of research findings, and responsible scientific communication.

Authors are encouraged, where appropriate, to:

  • Provide data availability statements.
  • Share supporting datasets.
  • Preserve original research records.
  • Facilitate reproducibility of published findings.

Exceptions may apply where data sharing is limited by:

  • Patient privacy and confidentiality.
  • Legal or contractual obligations.
  • Institutional restrictions.
  • Ethical considerations.
  • National regulatory requirements.

Where complete data sharing is not possible, authors should provide an explanation describing applicable limitations whenever feasible.

12. Artificial Intelligence and Research Integrity

The journal recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may assist certain aspects of scholarly writing and research workflows. However, authors remain fully responsible for the integrity and accuracy of all submitted content.

Authors using AI-assisted tools should appropriately disclose such use in accordance with applicable journal policies.

Authors remain fully responsible for:

  • Accuracy of scientific content.
  • Originality of submitted work.
  • Integrity of research findings.
  • Compliance with publication ethics.
  • Accuracy of citations and references.

Artificial intelligence tools should not:

  • Be listed as authors.
  • Generate fabricated data or research findings.
  • Create fictitious references or citations.
  • Produce misleading scientific content.
  • Generate manipulated scientific images without appropriate disclosure and editorial approval where applicable.
Use of AI technologies does not reduce or transfer an author's responsibility for the scientific accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, or reliability of published research.

13. Reviewer Responsibilities

Peer reviewers play a critical role in safeguarding research integrity and maintaining the scientific quality of published literature. JPADR expects reviewers to conduct manuscript evaluations fairly, objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards.

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations.
  • Evaluate manuscripts solely on scientific merit.
  • Declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Respect authors' intellectual property and unpublished work.
  • Identify possible ethical concerns or research misconduct where appropriate.
  • Complete reviews within agreed timelines whenever possible.

Reviewers should not:

  • Use confidential manuscript information for personal or professional benefit.
  • Share manuscripts with unauthorized individuals.
  • Delegate peer review without prior editorial approval.
  • Allow personal, institutional, financial, or academic biases to influence their recommendations.
Reviewer recommendations are advisory. Final editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial team.

14. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for ensuring that editorial decisions are impartial, transparent, ethically sound, and based exclusively on scientific merit and publication ethics.

Editors are expected to:

  • Make fair, objective, and independent editorial decisions.
  • Maintain confidentiality throughout the editorial process.
  • Avoid and disclose conflicts of interest.
  • Follow internationally recognized publication ethics standards.
  • Handle allegations of misconduct responsibly and consistently.
  • Ensure integrity throughout peer review and editorial assessment.

Editorial decisions should be based solely upon:

  • Scientific merit.
  • Methodological quality.
  • Ethical compliance.
  • Originality.
  • Validity of research findings.
  • Relevance to the journal's scope.

Editors shall not permit commercial interests, institutional affiliations, political considerations, financial relationships, or personal preferences to influence editorial judgment.

15. Investigation of Integrity Concerns

Concerns regarding research integrity may be raised before publication or after publication by individuals or organizations acting in good faith.

Concerns may be submitted by:

  • Authors.
  • Readers.
  • Reviewers.
  • Editors.
  • Research institutions.
  • Funding agencies.
  • Whistleblowers.

Where appropriate, the journal may:

  • Request explanations from authors.
  • Seek supporting documentation.
  • Request raw data or study records.
  • Consult independent subject experts.
  • Seek clarification from relevant institutions.
  • Initiate formal ethical investigations.

Depending on the outcome of an investigation, editorial actions may include:

  • Correction of published content.
  • Expression of concern.
  • Retraction of published articles.
  • Rejection of submitted manuscripts.
  • Notification of relevant institutions or regulatory authorities where appropriate.

Investigations are conducted objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with applicable publication ethics guidance while respecting procedural fairness and due process.

16. Protection of the Scholarly Record

The Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR) is committed to preserving the accuracy, reliability, integrity, and permanence of the scholarly record throughout the publication lifecycle.

Where errors, ethical concerns, or research misconduct are identified after publication, the journal may implement appropriate editorial actions to ensure that published literature remains trustworthy and scientifically reliable.

Post-publication actions may include:

  • Publication of corrections.
  • Retraction of articles.
  • Publication of expressions of concern.
  • Editorial notices.
  • Metadata updates.
  • Article version updates where appropriate.

Retractions, corrections, and editorial notices will remain permanently linked to the original publication whenever feasible to preserve transparency and maintain an accurate publication history.

Scholarly Record Commitment

JPADR recognizes that preserving the integrity of the scholarly record is essential for scientific progress, public confidence, and responsible healthcare research.

17. Whistleblower and Confidentiality Protection

The journal encourages the responsible reporting of suspected research or publication misconduct made in good faith by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, or other stakeholders.

JPADR seeks to evaluate all allegations fairly, objectively, and confidentially while protecting the rights of all parties involved.

The journal aims to protect:

  • Confidentiality of misconduct investigations.
  • Identity of reviewers where applicable.
  • Identity of whistleblowers whenever feasible.
  • Integrity of the editorial evaluation process.
  • Confidential editorial communications.

Anonymous allegations may be considered where they are supported by credible evidence or sufficient information to permit meaningful editorial assessment.

Confidentiality may be limited where disclosure is required by:

  • Institutional investigations.
  • Legal obligations.
  • Regulatory authorities.
  • Publication ethics procedures.

18. Education and Continuous Improvement

JPADR recognizes that maintaining research integrity requires continuous education, policy development, and improvement of editorial practices.

The journal encourages awareness of:

  • Publication ethics.
  • Responsible conduct of research.
  • Transparency standards.
  • Research reproducibility.
  • Ethical peer review.
  • Responsible authorship practices.

To strengthen publication quality and ethical oversight, the journal continuously works toward improving:

  • Editorial procedures.
  • Ethics review processes.
  • Integrity monitoring systems.
  • Editorial training.
  • Reviewer education.
  • Transparency and accountability practices.

Policies and editorial procedures may be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect evolving international standards, technological developments, and best practices in scholarly publishing.

19. Commitment to Ethical and Responsible Publishing

The Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, ethical scholarly communication, responsible editorial management, and transparent publication practices.

The journal is dedicated to promoting:

  • Research integrity.
  • Ethical scholarly communication.
  • Transparent editorial practices.
  • Responsible peer review.
  • Accountability in scientific publishing.
  • Protection of scientific credibility.
  • Continuous improvement of publication ethics.

JPADR recognizes that integrity is fundamental to trustworthy scientific advancement, evidence-based healthcare, and responsible dissemination of pharmacovigilance and drug research. The journal remains committed to fostering an ethical publishing environment founded upon honesty, transparency, fairness, accountability, and internationally recognized publication ethics standards.

Policy Statement

JPADR affirms that research integrity is a shared responsibility among authors, reviewers, editors, publishers, institutions, and readers. The journal is committed to protecting the scholarly record, encouraging responsible conduct of research, and supporting continuous improvement in ethical scholarly publishing.

References

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Guidelines on Research Integrity and Publication Ethics.
  2. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
  3. World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). Best Practices for Research Integrity in Scholarly Publishing.
  4. United States Office of Research Integrity (ORI). Principles of Responsible Conduct of Research.

Final Declaration

The Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR) affirms its commitment to safeguarding research integrity through ethical editorial practices, responsible peer review, transparent decision-making, protection of the scholarly record, and adherence to internationally recognized standards of responsible research and publication ethics.

This policy supports the journal's mission to publish reliable, reproducible, and ethically conducted scientific research that contributes to pharmacovigilance, drug safety, pharmaceutical sciences, clinical research, regulatory science, and evidence-based healthcare.

JPADR may periodically review and revise this policy to reflect developments in international publication ethics guidance, regulatory requirements, technological advances, and best practices in scholarly publishing.

Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research (JPADR)
Research Integrity Policy

Prepared in accordance with internationally recognized principles of research integrity, responsible conduct of research, publication ethics, editorial accountability, and transparent scholarly publishing.

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