Publication Ethics

Majalah Kedokteran Andalas (MKA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior in the publication of scholarly research. The journal adheres to the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and follows internationally recognized best practices to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in its editorial and publishing processes. Below are the detailed ethical guidelines that govern all aspects of the journal’s operation:

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality and Plagiarism

  • Authors must ensure that their work is original and that all sources used in their research are properly acknowledged and cited. Any form of plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript. The journal uses plagiarism detection software to ensure the originality of submissions.

  • Authors must ensure that their manuscript has not been previously published or is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

1.2 Authorship and Contributorship

  • Only individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the research should be listed as authors. The ICMJE guidelines on authorship will be followed to determine who qualifies as an author.

  • Authors are required to include a contributorship statement outlining the specific contributions made by each author, such as study design, data collection, analysis, writing, or reviewing the manuscript.

1.3 Conflicts of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their research, including financial, professional, or personal relationships that could influence the research process or findings.

  • All funding sources or support received for the research must be clearly acknowledged in the manuscript.

1.4 Data Accuracy and Integrity

  • Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the data presented in their manuscript. Any falsification or manipulation of data will result in rejection and may lead to a formal investigation.

  • Authors must make data available upon request, and data-sharing policies should be adhered to, particularly in clinical and health-related research.

1.5 Ethical Approval

  • Research involving human or animal subjects must adhere to ethical standards and receive approval from a recognized ethical review board. Authors must include a statement in their manuscript confirming that such approval was obtained.

  • In clinical trials, authors must register the trial in a publicly accessible database, in line with the ICMJE requirements.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

2.1 Confidentiality

  • Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential and not disclose the content to others, including discussing the manuscript with colleagues or using the information for personal gain. This confidentiality extends to the peer-review process itself.

  • Any knowledge gained through reviewing a manuscript must not be used for competitive advantage.

2.2 Objectivity and Fairness

  • Reviewers are expected to assess manuscripts based solely on scientific merit, without personal bias toward the authors, their institution, or their country.

  • All reviews should be conducted impartially, and reviewers should make decisions based on the manuscript’s quality and relevance to the journal’s scope.

  • Conflicts of interest should be disclosed if the reviewer has any personal, professional, or financial connections with the authors that could influence the review process.

2.3 Timeliness

  • Reviewers should complete their reviews within the designated time frame, typically 4-6 weeks from the date of receipt. If unable to meet the deadline, reviewers must notify the journal promptly so that an alternative reviewer can be assigned.

2.4 Plagiarism Detection

  • Reviewers are expected to identify any potential plagiarism or inappropriate citation practices in submitted manuscripts. If suspected, they should notify the handling editor immediately.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

3.1 Editorial Independence

  • The editorial team at Majalah Kedokteran Andalas (MKA) ensures that all editorial decisions are based solely on the academic merit of the manuscripts and not influenced by personal, political, or commercial interests.

  • Editors must avoid any conflicts of interest that could affect their editorial decision-making and should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have personal involvement or interests.

3.2 Peer-Review Process

  • The editorial team is responsible for ensuring a fair, transparent, and objective peer-review process. Manuscripts are evaluated based on their originality, scientific rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope, regardless of the authors' identity, nationality, or affiliations.

  • Editors must ensure that all decisions regarding the manuscript (acceptance, revision, or rejection) are based on the reviews and the manuscript’s contribution to the field.

3.3 Conflict of Interest

  • Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise in relation to the manuscripts they handle. Any situation that could influence the editorial process should be transparently addressed and resolved.

3.4 Correction and Retraction

  • Editors have the responsibility to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the journal's content. In cases of errors, inaccuracies, or ethical misconduct identified post-publication, editors must act promptly to correct or retract the article, following the COPE guidelines.

  • If there is evidence of scientific misconduct, such as plagiarism or falsification of data, editors must investigate the matter thoroughly and, if necessary, retract the article or issue a correction.

3.5 Publication Ethics Policy

  • Editors are responsible for ensuring that the journal adheres to ethical guidelines and transparency practices, as outlined by COPE, ICMJE, and WAME.

  • The editorial team is also responsible for maintaining up-to-date policies on ethical issues such as authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, data integrity, and ethical approval.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

4.1 Commitment to Ethical Publishing

  • The publisher, in collaboration with the editorial team, ensures that the journal operates in full compliance with ethical standards and guidelines. This includes maintaining transparency in all aspects of the publishing process and ensuring adherence to COPE’s Core Practices.

4.2 Prevention of Misconduct

  • The publisher supports the editorial team in preventing and addressing research misconduct, including plagiarism, data falsification, and unethical authorship practices.

  • The publisher will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty and will take necessary actions, including issuing corrections, retractions, and engaging in further investigations if necessary.

4.3 Transparency and Accessibility

  • The publisher ensures that all information related to the journal’s operations, including publication fees, editorial board, and conflict of interest declarations, is openly available and accessible to all stakeholders.

5. Handling Complaints and Appeals

  • Majalah Kedokteran Andalas (MKA) has a clear procedure for handling complaints and appeals from authors, reviewers, and readers. If authors disagree with editorial decisions, they can appeal through a formal process by submitting a detailed letter explaining their concerns.

  • Complaints regarding plagiarism, ethical misconduct, or any other issues related to the integrity of published articles will be thoroughly investigated, and corrective actions will be taken in line with COPE’s guidelines.