AUTHORSHIP: DEFINITIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND BEST PRACTICES

What is authorship?

Authorship is the recognition given to those who have made significant intellectual contributions to a published work. Authors share the credit for the work and the responsibility for its accuracy and integrity.

Who deserves authorship?

The ICMJE has established 4 criteria for authorship:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; AND
3. Final approval of the version to be published; AND
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Additional responsibilities of authors:

• Disclosing conflicts of interest
• Obtaining permission from those acknowledged in the paper
• Ensuring access to data (for original research)

Best practices for authors:

• Discuss authorship contributions and order upfront and revisit throughout the process.
• Follow journal guidelines for authorship disclosure and acknowledgments.
• Be transparent about reasons for any changes in authorship after submission.

Benefits of transparency in authorship:

• Ensures proper credit and responsibility
• Promotes public trust in research
• Prevents ghost and guest authorship

Group and Collaborative Authorship:

What is it? Group authorship involves multiple contributors to a research project, often from different institutions or disciplines. Examples include multicenter studies, working groups, and expert committees. These collaborations can be complex and involve hundreds of participants.

Challenges:

• Deciding who qualifies for authorship and how to list them in the byline, while ensuring proper credit and accountability.
• Avoiding misattribution and enabling easy search and retrieval of articles in databases.

Options for Listing Authors:

Important points:

• At least one individual should be named as the corresponding author for accountability.
• Individual authors should be distinguished from non-author contributors.
• Group author articles should use clear formatting and coding for easy search and retrieval.
• AMA citation format should be indicated for the article.

Remember:

• Authorship should be based on significant contributions, not just participation.
• We have specific policies on group authorship, please refer to the above table.

CONTRIBUTORSHIP/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This section allows authors to properly credit individuals who contributed to the research but didn’t meet authorship criteria. This includes:

• Supporters: Funding agencies, equipment donors, and material providers.
• Contributors: Individuals who made substantial intellectual contributions, like data analysis, writing assistance, or critical review.
• Groups: Collaborative groups or anonymous reviewers can be acknowledged briefly.

Length considerations:

• Long lists may require online publication or citation in the acknowledegment.
• Editors and authors should determine the appropriate length based on the case.

Transparency and disclosure:

• Identify individuals with their specific contributions.
• Disclose affiliations and funding of non-author contributors for greater transparency.
• Avoid vague acknowledgements that lack details.

Author contributions and conflicts of interest:

• Our journals list individual author contributions.
• Financial disclosures regarding conflicts of interest are mandatory in the acknowledgement section.

Data access and analysis:

• Our journals may require statements on data access and independent analysis for industry-sponsored studies.

Funding and sponsor role:

• Clearly and completely identify funding sources and sponsors.
• Describe sponsor involvement in various stages of the work.

Order of elements:

An example of a complete acknowledgement section with all possible elements is provided.

Permissions:

• Obtain written permission from individuals named in the acknowledgement.
• Follow the same for personal communication citations and credit lines.

Remember:

• Acknowledgements are crucial for recognizing contributions and ensuring transparency.
• Follow journal guidelines and best practices for proper disclosure and permission.

Additional Resources:

• ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work
• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines on Authorship
• APA Publication Manual
• Council of Science Editors (CSE) Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers
• Flanagin A. Ethical and Legal Considerations. In: American Medical Association. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 10th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2007: 127-147.

 
PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING SUSPECTED MISCONDUCT IN OPENVENTIO PUBLICATIONS

Openventio fiercely champions ethical research and publication. We adhere to the rigorous guidelines of both the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), setting the highest standards of integrity throughout all our processes. Our detailed publication ethics policy is readily accessible on the “Research and Publication Ethics” tab of our journal homepage.

Should we ever encounter suspected cases of research misconduct, such as plagiarism, fabricated data, authorship disputes, or undisclosed conflicts of interest, we follow COPE’s comprehensive flowchart for resolution (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts). This ensures a transparent and fair investigation process in every instance. Our dedicated Editorial Board carefully examines each case and makes informed decisions based on established ethical frameworks. By upholding these unwavering principles, Openventio fosters a trustworthy and credible environment for scientific research and publication.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (COI) STATEMENT

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: To ensure transparency and compliance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines, please complete the ICMJE Conflicts of Interest form available at http://www.icmje.org/conflicts-of-interest and submit it alongside your manuscript. Additionally, ensure you include a Conflicts of Interest statement directly after your manuscript’s conclusion or acknowledgment section.

DATA SHARING AND REPRODUCIBILITY

Data sharing and reproducibility are crucial aspects of scientific integrity and research advancement. To ensure transparency and the ability to verify and build upon published findings, open access scholarly publishers have a responsibility to implement robust policies in these areas.

Importance of Data Sharing and Reproducibility:

• Transparency and validation: Sharing data allows independent researchers to verify and replicate published findings, thereby strengthening the scientific validity of the research.
• Building new knowledge: Open access to data enables researchers to analyze it from different perspectives, leading to discoveries and innovations.
• Efficiency and cost-savings: Replicating research can be costly and time-consuming. Sharing data avoids unnecessary duplication of effort and reduces research costs.
• Public trust: Data sharing and reproducibility demonstrate scientific commitment to rigor and integrity, fostering public trust in research findings.

However, we recognize the challenges in achieving this ideal. Many open access journals lack clear data sharing policies, and technical, cultural, and economic factors can create barriers to sharing.

Openventio’s Commitment:

• Clear and comprehensive data sharing policies: We’re developing robust policies that outline data availability requirements, preferred formats, hosting platforms, and access restrictions.
• Author support: We provide resources and templates to help authors prepare and share their data easily.
• Partnership with data repositories: We collaborate with trusted repositories to ensure secure storage, long-term accessibility, and proper metadata management of shared data.
• FAIR data principles: We prioritize FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles in data management to maximize usability and discovery.
• Reporting guidelines and trial registration: We encourage authors to utilize standardized reporting guidelines and register clinical trials to enhance transparency and reproducibility.
• Monitoring and enforcement: We regularly monitor data sharing compliance and implement clear procedures for addressing non-compliance.

ETHICAL OVERSIGHT

Ensuring ethical research and publication practices is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of scientific knowledge and protecting the individuals and communities involved. Openventio’s commitment to ethical oversight encompasses various aspects, from obtaining informed consent to handling confidential data and conducting research with vulnerable populations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into these key areas, offering insights and resources to navigate the ethical landscape of research and publishing.

Key Ethical Considerations

Informed Consent

At the core of ethical research lies informed consent. Individuals must voluntarily agree to participate in research after fully understanding the risks and benefits involved. This necessitates:

• Obtaining voluntary and informed consent from participants is a cornerstone of ethical research.
• Participants should be provided with clear and understandable information about the research, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and their right to withdraw at any time.
• Individuals who cannot consent, such as young children or those with cognitive impairments, require alternative measures like parental consent or assent.

Vulnerable Populations

Research involving vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, or individuals with disabilities, demands additional ethical considerations. These groups may be more susceptible to exploitation or coercion, requiring researchers to:

• Minimize risks and maximize benefits: The research should offer significant benefits to the vulnerable population while minimizing potential risks.
• Community engagement: Involving the community in research design and decision-making processes is crucial to ensure cultural sensitivity and respect for local values.
• Robust oversight: Independent ethical review committees should pay particular attention to research proposals involving vulnerable populations.

Research with Animals

Animal research must adhere to strict ethical principles to minimize pain and suffering while ensuring scientific rigor. Key considerations include:

• Replacement, reduction, and refinement (3Rs): Researchers should strive to replace animals with alternative methods whenever possible, minimize the number of animals used, and refine procedures to reduce pain and distress.
• Animal welfare: Animals should be housed and cared for by their species-specific needs and provided with veterinary care.
• Transparency and accountability: Research protocols involving animals should be transparently reported, and researchers should be held accountable for adhering to ethical guidelines.

Research with Human Subjects

Research involving human subjects requires rigorous ethical oversight to protect participants’ rights and safety. Essential principles include:

• Respect for persons: Participants deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or characteristics.
• Beneficence: The research should aim to maximize benefits for participants and minimize potential harm.
• Justice: The research should be conducted fairly and equitably, avoiding discrimination or exploitation of any group.

Handling Confidential Data

Research often involves collecting and storing sensitive data about participants. Protecting this data is crucial to maintaining confidentiality and respecting privacy. This necessitates:

• Informed consent: Participants should be informed about how their data will be collected, used, stored, and shared.
• Data security: Robust data security measures should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or misuse of data.
• Data minimization: Researchers should collect and store only the minimum amount of data necessary for the research.

Ethical Business and Marketing Practices

Scientific publishers and research institutions also have a responsibility to uphold ethical business and marketing practices. This includes:

• Avoiding predatory practices: Exploiting researchers’ publication needs or engaging in deceptive marketing tactics is unethical.
• Transparency in pricing and editorial policies: Journals should be transparent about their publication fees, peer-review processes, and editorial policies.
• Combating research misconduct: Publishers and institutions should have robust mechanisms for identifying and addressing research misconduct.

Openventio’s Commitment to Ethical Standards

Openventio Publishers is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in research and publishing. We adhere to the following guidelines:

Copyright Policy:

• Openventio follows both CC BY and CC BY-NC licenses to ensure fair and equitable sharing of research outputs.

Patient(s)/Participant(s) Consent Statement: 

• Authors are required to provide a consent statement at the end of their manuscript and retain signed consent forms, if applicable.
• Distinction is made between patient consent for images/photographs and participant consent for involvement in studies.

Research Ethics Committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval:

• Authors must submit only ethical or IRB-approved research work.
• Evidence of ethical approval may be requested, and authors should be prepared to address ethical concerns.

Animal Ethics and Welfare Guidelines:

• Manuscripts are considered only if they adhere to international, national, and institutional animal welfare guidelines and relevant legislation.
• Ethical review committee approval is required, and studies involving client-owned animals must demonstrate high standards of veterinary care and informed client consent.
• Authors must sign a letter certifying compliance with ethical and legal requirements for animal treatment.

Animal Ethics-Based Criteria for Manuscript Rejection:

• Manuscripts may be rejected if they fail to meet animal ethics requirements, involve unnecessary pain or suffering, or raise ethical or welfare concerns.

 
Scientific Misconduct

Openventio is firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and takes a zero-tolerance approach to scientific misconduct. We recognize the importance of reliable and trustworthy research in advancing knowledge and promoting positive societal impact.

Pre-Review Screening:

To ensure the quality and ethical soundness of published articles, Openventio implements a rigorous pre-review screening process before any manuscript enters peer review. This process consists of two key stages:

1. Plagiarism Detection:

All submitted manuscripts undergo plagiarism checks using advanced software tools. We employ industry-standard plagiarism detection technologies to identify and address any potential plagiarism concerns.

2. Ethical and Legal Compliance:

Manuscripts are thoroughly reviewed for adherence to ethical and legal requirements. We verify the presence of essential statements such as:

• Copyright statement: Clear declaration of copyright ownership and licensing arrangements.
• Ethical review board approval statement: Evidence of approval from relevant ethics committees for studies involving human or animal subjects.
• Informed consent statement: Documentation of informed consent obtained from participants in research studies.
• Conflicts of interest statement: Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest by authors.
• Animal ethics board approval statement: For studies involving animals, evidence of approval from relevant animal ethics committees.
• Authorship statement: Clear definition of author contributions and compliance with authorship guidelines.
• Funding source statement: Disclosure of all funding sources for the research.
• Unique data statement: Clarification on data ownership and access rights.

Compliance with Internationally Recognized Standards:

Openventio encourages authors to follow internationally recognized ethical guidelines for research conduct. For clinical research manuscripts, we emphasize adherence to the Declaration of Helsinki. For educational research, we recommend following guidelines such as those from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the British Educational Research Association (BERA). Additionally, reports of clinical trials must cite compliance with relevant regulations and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines to ensure participant safety and well-being. Similarly, research involving animals must adhere to established ethical guidelines such as the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” or other relevant standards.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

Manuscripts failing to meet these ethical and legal requirements will be promptly rejected and will not be processed further. Openventio is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and will not compromise on ethical principles.

Reporting Misconduct:

Institutions, grant funders, or governing bodies investigating potential research or publication misconduct can contact Openventio at contact@openventio.org. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and promptly investigate such claims by established ethical guidelines and institutional policies.

By adhering to these guidelines, Openventio aims to promote ethical and reliable research practices, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and ensuring the trustworthiness of published content.

POST-PUBLICATION DIALOGUE 

At Openventio, we recognize that scientific knowledge is rarely static. New evidence emerges, interpretations evolve, and perspectives shift. Embracing this dynamic nature of research, we actively encourage post-publication discourse and corrections as essential tools for refining understanding and solidifying knowledge.

• Letters to the Editors: We welcome spirited yet constructive discussion by inviting readers to submit letters to the editors. These letters can offer alternative interpretations, raise insightful questions, or build upon published findings, fueling further exploration and enriching the scholarly dialogue.
• Accurate and Timely Errata: Minor errors or updated information discovered after publication can be swiftly addressed through our errata submission process. Authors are empowered to ensure the continued accuracy and relevance of their research, upholding the integrity of the scientific record.
• Thoughtful Book Reviews: In-depth book reviews provide valuable critical assessments and spark fruitful conversation around published works. These reviews offer fresh perspectives, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately guide readers to a deeper understanding of the research presented.

CORRECTIONS, WITHDRAWAL & RETRACTION POLICY

Openventio is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and publication ethics. This policy outlines procedures for correction, withdrawal, and retraction of published articles.

Corrections:

Minor errors will be addressed through corrigenda or errata published in the journal issue following discovery. Authors should promptly notify the editorial office of any such errors identified after publication.

Withdrawal:

Authors may withdraw their manuscript before publication without charge. After acceptance but before publication, a withdrawal fee of USD 179 will be applicable to compensate for the editorial effort invested. After publication, withdrawal is not possible, and alternative mechanisms like corrections or retraction should be utilized.

Retraction:

Retraction is reserved for serious cases of research misconduct (e.g., falsification, fabrication, plagiarism) or major errors that compromise the article’s scientific integrity. Retraction decisions require agreement from all authors, their institution(s), and any relevant funding agencies. In exceptional cases where authors disagree, the editor may, in consultation with relevant parties, initiate a retraction process and disclose the reasons for disagreement.

Retraction Process:

• Authors submit a formal, signed retraction notice detailing the reasons for retraction.
• The article is marked as “Retracted” or “This Article has been Retracted” prominently on the online version and in the PDF.
• A retraction notice is published in the journal, providing clear and specific reasons for retraction.

Retraction vs. Correction:

Retraction should not be used for minor errors, methodological limitations, or outdated findings. In such cases, corrections or clarifications via additional publications might be appropriate.

Article Processing Charges (APCs):

Please note that APCs paid for published articles are non-refundable, even in cases of retraction.

Contact:

Authors with questions about this policy should contact the editorial office at contact@openventio.org.