Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process of the Journal of Health Matters (JoHM), managed by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Bangka Belitung. The policy is based on the best practice guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

  1. Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of a scientific article requires adherence to ethical standards. The JoHM publishes original works—both theoretical and empirical—that are derived from accountable sources and contribute to knowledge development. Every manuscript is peer-reviewed to ensure objectivity, transparency, and integrity.

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Bangka Belitung, as the publisher of JoHM, ensures that editorial decisions remain independent from commercial influence and that the journal is managed responsibly and ethically at every stage of publication.

  1. Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief, supported by the editorial board and reviewers, makes final decisions regarding publication. Decisions are based on the manuscript’s relevance, originality, validity, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Each submission undergoes plagiarism checks, peer review, and editorial evaluation before acceptance.

  1. Non-Discrimination

Editors and reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on scientific merit only, without discrimination regarding race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or political philosophy.

  1. Confidentiality

Editors and reviewers are required to maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and may not disclose any details to unauthorized parties. Information obtained during the review process must not be used for personal advantage.

  1. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used by editors or reviewers in their own research. All parties must declare any conflicts of interest that could influence the review and decision-making process.

Duties of Reviewers

  1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions – Reviewers assist editors in making publication decisions and provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their manuscripts.
  2. Promptness – Reviewers who cannot complete a review within the expected timeframe must notify the editor promptly.
  3. Objectivity – Reviews should be conducted impartially and respectfully, with clear arguments to support evaluations.
  4. Confidentiality – All reviewed manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.
  5. Acknowledgment of Sources – Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited and alert the editor to any suspected plagiarism or duplication.
  6. Conflicts of Interest – Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Duties of Authors

  1. Reporting Standards – Authors must present accurate and original data. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements are unethical and unacceptable.
  2. Data Access and Retention – Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review and should retain such data for a reasonable time.
  3. Originality and Plagiarism – Authors must ensure their work is original and properly cite sources. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.
  4. Multiple or Concurrent Publication – Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously.
  5. Acknowledgment of Sources – Proper acknowledgment of all sources must be included in the manuscript.
  6. Authorship of the Paper – Authorship should be limited to those who made significant contributions. All co-authors must approve the final version of the paper.
  7. Hazards and Human/Animal Subjects – Authors must clearly identify any hazards involved in their research and comply with ethical standards for human and animal studies.
  8. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest – Authors must declare all sources of financial or institutional support for the research.
  9. Fundamental Errors in Published Works – Authors must notify the editor promptly if they discover significant errors in their published work and cooperate in correcting or retracting the paper.