The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of the authors and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the journal editor, the peer reviewer, the publisher and the society of society-owned or sponsored journals.

• Duties of Editors
Publication decision
Fair play
Confidentiality
Disclosure and Conflicts of interest
Involvement and cooperation in investigations

• Duties of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decision
Promptness
Confidentiality
Standards of Objectivity
Acknowledgement of Source
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

• Duties of Authors
Reporting standards
Data Access and Retention
Originality and Plagiarism
Multiple, Redundant or Concurrent Publication
Acknowledgement of Sources
Authorship of the Paper
Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Fundamental errors in published works

• Duties of the Publisher
We are committed to ensuring that advertising, reprint or other commercial revenue has no impact or influence on editorial decisions. In addition, we’ill assist in communications with other journals and/or publishers where this is useful to editors. Finally, we are working closely with other publishers and industry associations to set standards for best practices on ethical matters, errors and retractions--and are prepared to provide specialized legal review and counsel if necessary.

• Plagiarism Detection
The peer review process is at the heart of the success of scientific publishing. As part of our commitment to the protection and enhancement of the peer review process, we have an obligation to assist the scientific community in all aspects of publishing ethics, especially in cases of (suspected) duplicate submission or plagiarism.

• Conflict of interest
All authors are requested to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations within three years of beginning the submitted work that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, their work.