Publication Ethics
Ethical guidelines for journal publication (based on Elsevier policies)

AUTHOR OBLIGATIONS
(based on Elsevier policies and the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors)

Reporting Standards
Authors of reports of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance. Underlying data should be represented accurately in the article. A paper should contain sufficient detail and references to permit others to replicate the work. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable. Review and professional publication articles should also be accurate and objective, and editorial opinion pieces should be clearly identified as such.

Data Access and Retention
Authors may be asked to provide the raw data in connection with a paper for editorial review,
and should be prepared to provide public access to such data, if practicable, and should, in any event, be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable time after publication.

Originality and Plagiarism
Authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the author has used the work and/or words of others, that this has been appropriately cited or cited. Plagiarism takes many forms, from 'passing off' another's paper as one's own, to copying or paraphrasing substantial portions of another's paper (without attribution), to claiming results from research conducted by others. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Dual, redundant, or concurrent publication
An author should not in general publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable. In general, an author should not submit for consideration in another journal a publication that has previously been published. Publication of some types of articles (e.g., guidelines, translations) in more than one journal is sometimes justified, provided certain requirements are met. The authors and the editor of the journal concerned must approve the secondary publication, which must reflect the same data and interpretation as the primary document. Primary references must be cited in the secondary publication.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported research. Information obtained privately, such as through conversations, correspondence, or discussions with third parties, must not be used or reported without the explicit written permission of the source. Information obtained under confidential services, such as during manuscript review or grant applications, must not be used without the explicit written permission of the authors of the work involved in these services.

Co-authorship
Co-authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported research. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors (this means that the manuscript should have at least one author and a co-author). If others have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project, they should be acknowledged or listed as contributors. The primary author should ensure that all appropriate co-authors and no inappropriate co-authors are included on the paper, and that all co-authors have seen and approved the final version of the paper and have agreed to its submission for publication. If the work involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment that have any unusual hazards inherent in their use, the author must clearly identify these in the manuscript.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflict of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed. Examples of potential conflicts of interest that should be disclosed include employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, and grants or other funding. Potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed at the earliest possible stage.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his/her own published work, it is the author's obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with the reviewer.