Cancer Cell Research is committed to ensuring the highest standards of publication ethics and research integrity. We adhere to the best practices for transparency, fairness, and accountability in the peer review and publication processes. The following ethical guidelines reflect our commitment to upholding ethical standards for authors, reviewers, editors, and the editorial board.
1. Authors' Responsibilities
1.1 Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must submit original work and ensure that all the content in their manuscript is free from plagiarism. Any material that is directly quoted or paraphrased from other works must be appropriately cited. Self-plagiarism (reusing parts of previously published work without proper citation) is also prohibited. The submission of plagiarized or fabricated data will result in rejection of the manuscript and possible sanctions.
1.2 Authorship and Contributions
Authors must ensure that all individuals who have made significant contributions to the research are listed as authors. Only those who have contributed substantially to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research should be included as authors. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have seen and approved the final manuscript before submission.
1.3 Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that may influence their work. This includes relationships with organizations that could potentially bias the research or its interpretation. Conflicts of interest must be declared both at the time of submission and during the peer review process.
1.4 Ethical Approval
Research involving human subjects or animals must have been approved by the relevant institutional ethics committee or an equivalent body. Authors must provide details of the ethical approval in the manuscript, including the approval number and the name of the ethics committee. If applicable, informed consent must be obtained from human participants and mentioned in the manuscript.
1.5 Data Availability
Authors are encouraged to make their raw data, methodologies, and supplementary materials publicly available where possible, subject to confidentiality agreements or privacy considerations. Authors must state where the data can be accessed or provide access upon reasonable request.
2. Editors' Responsibilities
2.1 Fairness and Impartiality
Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts fairly and impartially, based solely on their scientific merit, relevance to the journal's scope, and adherence to ethical guidelines. Decisions on publication should not be influenced by personal, professional, or financial considerations.
2.2 Confidentiality
Editors are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the manuscript and its contents during the peer review and publication process. Manuscripts should not be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and other editorial board members.
2.3 Conflict of Interest
Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest related to the manuscripts they handle. Editors with conflicts of interest should recuse themselves from the decision-making process on such manuscripts.
2.4 Encouraging Transparency
Editors are encouraged to promote transparency in the publication process. This includes providing clear instructions for authors, reviewers, and readers, as well as ensuring proper documentation and accessibility of data, materials, and methodologies.
3. Reviewers' Responsibilities
3.1 Fair and Constructive Peer Review
Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts objectively and constructively. They should assess the scientific validity, clarity, and originality of the research, as well as its potential impact on the field. Reviewers should avoid personal bias or conflicts of interest in their evaluations.
3.2 Confidentiality
Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. Manuscripts should not be shared or discussed with others except as authorized by the editorial team. Reviewers should not use information obtained through the peer review process for personal gain.
3.3 Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to the manuscript they are reviewing. If a reviewer has a conflict (e.g., personal relationships with the authors or financial interests), they should decline to review the manuscript.
3.4 Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations in a timely manner. If they are unable to meet the deadlines, they should notify the editorial team immediately.
4. Ethical Guidelines for Publication
4.1 Duplicate Submission and Publication
Manuscripts must not be submitted to multiple journals at the same time (duplicate submission) or published in more than one journal (duplicate publication) unless explicitly allowed by the journal. Authors should disclose if parts of the manuscript have been published or are being considered for publication elsewhere.
4.2 Retraction and Correction
If significant errors, misconduct, or ethical violations are identified after publication, the journal will take appropriate action, including issuing retractions or corrections. Authors, editors, and reviewers must cooperate with the journal in investigating and resolving any concerns.
4.3 Plagiarism Detection
Cancer Cell Research uses plagiarism detection software to check for plagiarism in submitted manuscripts. Submissions found to contain plagiarized material will be rejected, and the authors may face sanctions.
4.4 Ethical Compliance
All research published in Cancer Cell Research must comply with ethical guidelines for conducting research involving human participants, animals, or other sensitive materials. Authors should ensure their research adheres to the highest ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent where applicable.
5. Publisher's Responsibilities
5.1 Ensuring Ethical Standards
The publisher supports the journal's commitment to ethical publishing and ensures that all involved parties, including authors, reviewers, and editors, adhere to the highest standards of integrity.
5.2 Investigation of Ethical Violations
In cases of suspected ethical violations, the publisher will work with the editorial team to investigate the issue, including cases of data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest. Appropriate corrective measures will be taken, including issuing retractions or corrections when necessary.