Conflict of Interests

Greenfort International Journal of Applied Medical Science (GIJAMS) recognizes that the integrity of the peer-review process and the credibility of published research rely heavily on the appropriate management of conflicts of interest at every stage—writing, reviewing, and editorial decision-making. A conflict of interest arises when authors, affiliated institutions, reviewers, or editors hold financial or personal connections that may unduly influence their professional actions or judgments. Importantly, such conflicts may exist even when individuals believe their scientific objectivity remains unaffected.

To preserve transparency, every participant engaged in the submission and review process is required to disclose any relationship that could potentially constitute a conflict of interest. Editors may take these disclosures into account when making editorial decisions, and, where relevant, such information may be shared with readers to ensure accountability. Common situations involving potential conflicts of interest include the following:

1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors must fully disclose any personal or financial associations that could introduce bias into their submissions. They are expected to clearly state whether conflicts of interest exist and to acknowledge individuals who provided writing or technical support, as well as the sources of funding for their work.

2. Funding Sources

Research projects may be supported by commercial entities, nonprofit organizations, or governmental bodies. The terms of such funding can sometimes compromise the independence of the research or raise concerns about credibility. Editors reserve the right to decline a manuscript if the sponsor has exerted undue control over the publication process.

3. Reviewers

Authors may suggest individuals who should or should not be invited to review their manuscripts due to possible conflicts of interest, providing justifications for their requests. Reviewers, in turn, are obligated to disclose any conflicts that may influence their assessment of a manuscript. If such conflicts exist, they should decline to review the work in question.

4. Editors

Editors making final publication decisions must avoid personal, financial, or professional involvements that could compromise their impartiality. Other members of the editorial board are likewise required to provide accurate and up-to-date disclosures of their financial interests and should abstain from involvement in editorial decisions where conflicts exist. Furthermore, editorial staff are prohibited from exploiting information obtained through the review process for personal advantage. The Editor-in-Chief should regularly communicate and publish the journal’s policies and guidelines on managing conflicts of interest for authors, reviewers, editors, and staff.