Publication Ethics  

          Mahidol Dental Journal has set responsibilities for people who are in the process of publication, including authors, editors, and reviewers as follows:

 

Ethical Guidelines for Authors:

1. Originality and Prior Publication: Authors must ensure that submitted articles have not been previously published or are under consideration for publication elsewhere.
2. Authenticity of Information: Authors are responsible for providing original information derived from their research or participants involved in the study.
3. Ethical Certification for Human Research: Authors conducting research involving human subjects must provide evidence of certification for research ethics compliance.
4. Plagiarism Avoidance: Authors must refrain from self-plagiarism (reusing their own previously published work) and plagiarism (copying from the work of others).
5. Acknowledgment of Contributions: Authors should include all co-workers who have contributed to the research and acknowledge the work of other relevant contributors.
6. Disclosure of Funding Sources: Authors are required to identify all sources of funding for the research, including educational grants or sponsorships.
7. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: Authors must identify and disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation or presentation of the research findings.

 

Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers:

1. Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the details of a manuscript and its review process, refraining from disclosing any information beyond what is officially released by the journal upon publication.
2. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers should promptly notify the editor and decline to review a manuscript if they have any potential conflicting interests that could bias their evaluation.
3. Subject Expertise Evaluation: Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts based on their expertise in the subject matter, providing fair and constructive feedback to enhance the quality and relevance of the research.

 

Ethical Guidelines for Editors:

1. Confidentiality: Editors must uphold strict confidentiality by safeguarding the identities of authors, reviewers, and any confidential information associated with submitted manuscripts.
2. Impartial Editorial Process: Editors should oversee the editorial process impartially, without prejudice against authors, and free from conflicts of interest, ensuring fairness and integrity throughout.
3. Publication Decision Criteria: Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based on the significance, originality, and clarity of the manuscript, as well as its relevance to the scope and standards of the journal.
4. Rejection of Ethically Compromised Manuscripts: Editors should reject submitted manuscripts in which plagiarism, data manipulation, or duplication is evident, upholding the ethical standards of academic publishing.
5. Retraction of Ethically Flawed Publications: Editors must be prepared to retract any publications in which plagiarism, data manipulation, or duplication is later discovered, taking appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the journal and the scholarly record

Ethics in Mahidol Dental Journal publication encompasses considerations not only for human participants but also for animals involved in research. Here’s an overview of human and animal ethics considerations for Mahidol Dental Journal publication:

 

Human Ethics

1. Informed Consent: Authors must obtain informed consent from human participants, ensuring they understand the research’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before participating. Consent should be voluntary and based on adequate information.
2. Privacy and Confidentiality: Authors should protect participants’ privacy and confidentiality by anonymizing data and removing identifying information unless explicit consent has been obtained. Researchers must ensure that participants’ personal information remains confidential.
3. Protection of Participants’ Rights: Researchers have a duty to safeguard participants’ rights, including their right to autonomy, dignity, and safety. Any potential risks to participants should be minimized, and appropriate steps should be taken to ensure their welfare throughout the research process.
4. Ethical Review: Research involving human participants should undergo ethical review by an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee to ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulations.
5. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest that could potentially bias the research or its interpretation, including financial interests, affiliations, or personal relationships.
6. Data Integrity and Transparency: Authors should accurately report their research findings, including any limitations or uncertainties. Raw data should be made available upon request to allow for independent verification of results.
7. Authorship and Contributorship: All individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors. Authorship disputes should be resolved transparently and based on substantial contributions to the study.

 

Animal Ethics

1. Humane Treatment: Researchers must ensure that animals involved in research are treated humanely and with respect. This includes providing appropriate housing, care, and veterinary supervision to minimize distress and suffering.
2. Minimization of Harm: Researchers should use the minimum number of animals necessary to achieve their research objectives and employ methods that minimize pain, distress, and discomfort. Alternatives to animal research should be considered whenever possible.
3. Ethical Review: Research involving animals should undergo ethical review to ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulations.
4. Appropriate Use of Animals: Animals should only be used in research when no alternative methods are available and the potential benefits of the research outweigh the harms to the animals.
5. Reporting Standards: Authors should accurately report the methods used for animal research, including housing conditions, handling procedures, and measures taken to minimize suffering. Transparent reporting allows readers to assess the ethical considerations of the study.
6. Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (3Rs): Researchers should adhere to the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement (using non-animal alternatives where possible), Reduction (minimizing the number of animals used), and Refinement (improving animal welfare and experimental techniques).