Publication Ethics

The Pakistan Journal of Clinical Research (PJCR) is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing, following guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and internationally recognized standards such as those of Elsevier and ICMJE. Authors are expected to submit original work, properly cite sources, disclose conflicts of interest and funding, adhere to ethical research practices, and cooperate fully in the peer review process. Editors ensure fair, unbiased, and confidential evaluation of manuscripts, addressing any ethical concerns, while reviewers provide constructive, timely, and confidential feedback, reporting potential conflicts or ethical issues. PJCR maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism, data fabrication, and research misconduct, with all manuscripts undergoing plagiarism checks and requiring authors to retain raw data for verification. Transparency, data integrity, and reproducibility are paramount, and all parties must disclose potential conflicts of interest to prevent bias. The journal adheres to COPE guidelines for corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern, ensuring accountability in cases of minor errors, ethical violations, or misconduct. Studies involving human or animal subjects must comply with recognized ethical standards, including the Helsinki Declaration and ARRIVE guidelines, with documented approvals and informed consent where applicable. Complaints and appeals are handled transparently, following COPE protocols, with corrective measures applied as needed. By rigorously following these ethical principles, PJCR upholds the integrity, credibility, and scholarly value of published research, fostering trust and reliability within the global scientific community.