Policies on Conflict of Interest and Informed Consent

Conflicts of interest (sometimes referred to as ‘competing interests’) are a critical concern in the realm of academic research. They occur when outside issues affect, or are perceived to affect, the neutrality or objectivity of research. This can happen at any stage in the research cycle, including during the experimentation phase, while a manuscript is being written, or during the process of turning a manuscript into a published article. Understanding and addressing these conflicts is vital for maintaining the integrity of the research process and ensuring the credibility of published work.

Definition and Importance of Declaring Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest do not always stop work from being published or prevent someone from being involved in the review process. However, they must be declared. A clear declaration of all possible conflicts—whether they actually had an influence or not—allows others to make informed decisions about the work and its review process. The consequences of failing to disclose such conflicts can be substantial and damaging, not only to the individual but also to the wider academic community.

Embarrassment: If conflicts of interest are found after publication, it may be embarrassing for the authors, the editor, and the journal.
Need for Corrections: In some cases, it may be necessary to publish a corrigendum or reassess the review process if conflicts are uncovered post-publication.
Damage to Reputation: Undeclared conflicts may result in a tarnished reputation for both the authors and the institution involved.

Common Types of Conflicts of Interest

Understanding the types of conflicts that may arise is essential for researchers and reviewers involved in the academic process. Some common conflicts include:

Personal: A pre-existing relationship induces an individual to act inappropriately.
Financial: An individual receives payment relating to the subject of the research or from connected organizations.
Intellectual Property: An individual puts undue emphasis on patents or trademarks that they own or are owned by their organization.
Affiliations: An individual is employed by or is a member of an organization with an interest in the outcome of the research.
Ideology: An individual is influenced by beliefs or associations relating to the subject of the research.

It is crucial for all stakeholders in the research process to carefully consider how these and other similar topics may affect them and their work, as well as how they could affect others involved in the handling of the manuscript.

Responsibilities of Authors

Conflicts for authors are most often associated with the risk of bias in a manuscript. As an author, if you have any interest or association that could be seen to influence your decision-making process, you should ensure that it is declared at the time of submission. A proactive approach can help avoid complications later:

Declare Conflicts: Ensure that any interests or affiliations that may affect the study or its outcomes are fully disclosed.
Changes to Manuscript: You may be asked to make certain changes to your manuscript based on your declaration. These requests are not an accusation of impropriety but are instead intended to safeguard your work against potential criticisms.
Understand the Risks: If you are in any doubt about declaring a potential conflict, remember that failing to do so could lead to greater issues post-publication, including the potential for a retraction of the work.

Whether or not you believe a conflict of interest exists, you will be asked to include a statement in your manuscript. If you believe no conflicts exist, you will be asked to confirm this in writing, ensuring clarity and transparency in the research process.

Role of Editors in Managing Conflicts

As a member of a journal’s editorial board, editors need to be acutely aware of the risk of conflicts when handling a manuscript. Several key responsibilities outline this role:

Self-Assessment: Assess your own potential conflicts. Consider any recent co-authorship or affiliation with the authors.
Refusing to Handle Manuscripts: If a conflict exists, you should refuse to handle the manuscript and notify the journal staff accordingly.
Delegating Responsibility: The journal relies on your subject expertise to assess any conflicts declared by submitting authors, and also to identify any undeclared conflicts.

Typically, editors should not assign reviewers who have:

Shared Employment: Worked or have recently worked at the same institution as the authors.
Co-authorship: Recently co-authored a paper with the authors.
Collaboration: A recent or current collaboration with the authors.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

By agreeing to peer review a manuscript, reviewers provide an essential neutral assessment that preserves the integrity of the scholarly communication process. Reviewers should:

Ensure Impartiality: Confirm that no conflicts of interest could prevent them from acting impartially.
Avoid Recent Associations: Check that there has been no recent association with the author or shared employment history.

International Research Journal of Tamil operates a ‘single blind’ approach to peer review, meaning that the reviewers’ identities are not disclosed to the authors. This confidentiality enables reviewers to provide honest, constructive feedback without the pressure of revealing their identity, thus supporting the integrity and quality of the peer review process.

Conclusion

Policies surrounding conflicts of interest and informed consent are instrumental in ensuring ethical research practices. All participants in the research cycle—authors, editors, and reviewers—must actively engage with and address potential conflicts. By doing so, the scientific community can foster an environment of trust, uphold the highest standards of research integrity, and contribute to the proliferation of credible knowledge. Maintaining transparency in this regard not only protects individual researchers but also fortifies the foundation upon which the entire academic community stands.