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Ethic Statements

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The International Journal of AI and Cybersecurity in Healthcare (IJAICH) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical publishing and research integrity. The journal follows the principles and best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and adheres to internationally recognized ethical guidelines in scholarly publishing.

This statement outlines the responsibilities of the Publisher, Editors, Authors, and Reviewers, and describes procedures for handling allegations of misconduct.

1. Responsibilities of the Publisher

The Publisher of IJAICH is committed to:

  • Safeguarding editorial independence.
  • Ensuring transparency and integrity in publication processes.
  • Supporting editors in handling ethical issues or allegations of misconduct.
  • Preventing publication malpractice.
  • Preserving academic record integrity through corrections, retractions, and archiving.

The Publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions and ensures ethical oversight is maintained.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

2.1 Editorial Decisions

Editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts are published. Decisions are based on:

  • Academic merit and originality
  • Relevance to the journal's scope
  • Methodological rigor
  • Ethical compliance
  • Legal considerations (e.g., defamation, copyright, data protection)

Editors evaluate manuscripts without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.

2.2 Confidentiality

Editors must treat all submissions as confidential documents and must not disclose information about manuscripts except to authors, reviewers, editorial advisors, or the publisher as appropriate.

2.3 Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, financial, or institutional relationships.

2.4 Ethical Oversight

Editors ensure that:

  • Research involving human participants complies with ethical standards and includes informed consent.
  • Studies involving animals comply with animal welfare regulations.
  • AI systems discussed in research consider transparency, explainability, fairness, and patient safety.
  • Healthcare data privacy and cybersecurity standards are respected.
2.5 Handling Misconduct

Editors follow COPE guidelines when handling:

  • Plagiarism
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Ethical approval violations

Appropriate actions may include manuscript rejection, retraction, correction, institutional notification, or publication of expressions of concern.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

3.1 Reporting Standards

Authors must present accurate and honest accounts of their research. Data should be represented truthfully and supported by sufficient detail to permit replication where applicable.

Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited.

3.2 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that:

  • Manuscripts are original.
  • Proper acknowledgment is given to the work of others.
  • All sources are appropriately cited.
  • Submissions are not under consideration elsewhere.

Plagiarism in all forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior.

3.3 Multiple or Redundant Publication

Authors should not publish substantially similar research in more than one journal or submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.

3.4 Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to:

  • Study conception and design
  • Data acquisition or analysis
  • Drafting or revising the manuscript

All co-authors must approve the final version and agree to submission.

3.5 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose:

  • Financial support and funding sources
  • Any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest
  • Sponsorships or affiliations that may influence results
3.6 Human Subjects and Patient Data

Research involving human participants must:

  • Receive approval from an appropriate ethics committee.
  • Include informed consent.
  • Protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
  • Comply with applicable data protection regulations.
3.7 AI, Data Security, and Cybersecurity Responsibility

Given the journal's focus, authors must:

  • Address ethical implications of AI systems.
  • Discuss potential bias and fairness concerns.
  • Ensure secure handling of healthcare data.
  • Disclose limitations and risks of deployed technologies.
3.8 Data Availability and Transparency

Where possible, authors should provide access to data, code, or models to promote reproducibility, while respecting privacy and security requirements.

4. Responsibilities of Reviewers

4.1 Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists editors in making publication decisions and helps authors improve their manuscripts.

4.2 Confidentiality

Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not use unpublished information for personal advantage.

4.3 Objectivity

Reviews should be objective, constructive, and supported by clear arguments. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.

4.4 Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

4.5 Detection of Ethical Issues

Reviewers should notify editors of:

  • Suspected plagiarism
  • Data inconsistencies
  • Ethical concerns
  • Duplicate publication

5. Research Misconduct and Handling Allegations

IJAICH follows COPE flowcharts and procedures when responding to allegations of misconduct.

5.1 Investigation Process
  • Allegations are treated seriously and confidentially.
  • Authors are given an opportunity to respond.
  • Evidence is reviewed objectively.
  • Institutions may be contacted when necessary.
5.2 Outcomes May Include:
  • Rejection of manuscript
  • Publication of correction
  • Expression of concern
  • Retraction
  • Notification to authors' institutions

6. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

IJAICH maintains the integrity of the scholarly record by:

  • Publishing corrections for minor errors.
  • Issuing retractions for serious ethical breaches or invalid findings.
  • Publishing expressions of concern where investigations are ongoing.

All notices are clearly linked to the original article.

7. Complaints and Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a detailed justification. Appeals are reviewed independently. Complaints regarding editorial processes are handled transparently and fairly.

8. Commitment to Ethical AI and Secure Healthcare Innovation

As a journal at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare, IJAICH emphasizes:

  • Responsible AI development
  • Patient safety and fairness
  • Cyber-resilient healthcare systems
  • Transparency and explainability
  • Protection of sensitive medical data

Ethical innovation and public trust remain central to the journal's mission.