Conflict of Interest Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this Conflict of Interest (COI) Policy is to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity and credibility of the Journal. This policy provides guidelines for identifying, disclosing, and managing conflicts of interest throughout the research publication process.
2. Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional interests may compromise or appear to compromise their objectivity in conducting or evaluating research. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Financial ties: e.g., funding, employment, consultancy, stock ownership.
- Personal relationships or rivalries that may affect the assessment.
- Academic competition or intellectual bias.
- Institutional affiliations: that may affect objectivity.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, editors, and members of the editorial board.
4. Disclosure for Authors
Authors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest in a separate statement included at the end of the manuscript. If there are no conflicts, they should include: "The authors declare no conflict of interest."
Disclosure for Reviewers & Editors
Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves from handling submissions where a conflict exists or could be reasonably perceived.
5. Management of Conflicts
The editorial board is responsible for evaluating disclosed conflicts and taking appropriate action, which may include:
- Requesting additional information.
- Reassigning manuscripts to another editor or reviewer.
- Publicly disclosing conflicts within the published article.
- Rejecting submissions where the conflict cannot be appropriately managed.
6. Undisclosed Conflicts
7. Periodic Review
Publisher: The Libyan Academy for Postgraduate Studies, Misrata Branch
Publisher Website: https://lam.edu.ly
Email: editorinchief@lam-journal.ly
