Conflicts of interest can derive from any relationship or association that may influence authors’ or reviewers’ opinions about the subject matter of a paper. The existence of a conflict – whether actual, perceived, or potential – does not preclude publication of an article. However, we aim to ensure that, in such cases, readers have all the information they need to make an informed assessment of a publication’s message and conclusions. We require that both authors and reviewers declare all sources of support for their research, any personal or financial relationships (including honoraria, speaking fees, gifts received, etc.) with relevant individuals or organizations connected to the topic of the paper, and any association with a product or subject that may constitute a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest. Don't hesitate to contact the editorial team for advice if you are unsure whether a specific relationship constitutes a conflict. Suppose a conflict remains undisclosed and is later brought to the editorial team's attention. In that case, it will be considered a serious issue, prompting an investigation with the possibility of retraction.

JHNS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. This policy outlines the definitions of conflicts of interest and the processes for handling conflicts of interest for authors, reviewers, editors, journals, and publishers, whether identified before or after publication. The journal follows the Core Practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity has financial, personal, professional, or academic relationships or interests that could influence or be perceived to influence their objectivity, integrity, or decision-making in the context of research, review, editorial, or publishing processes.

Identification of Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, editors, and others involved in the publication process must disclose all potential conflicts of interest that could be relevant to the work they are submitting, reviewing, editing, or publishing. These conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Financial interests: Funding sources, stock ownership, employment, consultancy, or other financial relationships related to the research.
• Personal relationships: Close personal relationships or family ties with individuals involved in the research or publication process.
• Academic relationships: Collaborations or academic affiliations that may influence objectivity or perceptions of bias.
• Competing affiliations: Affiliations with competing organizations that may have conflicting interests in the research or its outcome.
• Intellectual property: Any patents, copyrights, or intellectual property rights that could be affected by the research or publication.

Handling Conflicts of Interest

JHNS will handle conflicts of interest with the utmost diligence and transparency.

For Authors

Authors must disclose all potential conflicts of interest during the manuscript submission process. If a conflict of interest is identified after publication, authors should promptly notify the editorial board, and the conflict will be addressed transparently.

For Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to decline review invitations if they have conflicts of interest that may affect their impartiality. If a reviewer becomes aware of a conflict of interest during the review process, they should immediately notify the editorial board of the appropriate actions.

For Editors and Journal Staff

Editors and journal staff involved in the review and publication process must recuse themselves from handling any submissions in which they have conflicts of interest. In case of any doubt, the editorial board will make the final decision on how to handle such cases.

For Publishers

Publishers must have policies in place to address potential conflicts of interest within their organization. They should ensure that decisions related to editorial processes and content are not influenced by financial considerations or other competing interests.

Transparency and Disclosure

JHNS will clearly state its policy on conflicts of interest, and relevant stakeholders will be informed of the requirements for disclosure. Conflicts of interest disclosures made by authors, reviewers, editors, and others will be published alongside the respective articles, reviews, or editorials to ensure transparency. JHNS will limit/prevent its editors, reviewers, and relevant stakeholders' access to the publication process, should they co-author articles submitted to JOSI.

Review of the Policy

JHNS will periodically review and update this policy to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with best practices. Any revisions to this policy will be communicated to stakeholders and made publicly available on the journal's website.