Publication Ethics

Thai Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences (PHJBUU)

The Thai Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences (PHJBUU) adheres strictly to the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows the COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors to ensure integrity, transparency, and high ethical standards in scholarly publishing.

1. Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for all content published in PHJBUU and shall:

• Evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit.
• Ensure the quality and integrity of published research.
• Provide constructive feedback to authors.
• Maintain editorial independence and academic freedom.
• Protect intellectual property rights.
• Continuously improve journal quality.
• Organize regular editorial board meetings.

2. Editors’ Responsibilities to Readers

Editors must:

• Disclose sources of research funding and the role of funders.
• Maintain international publication standards and journal policies.

3. Editors’ Responsibilities to Authors

Editors must:

• Make decisions based on originality, importance, clarity, and academic validity.
• Clearly explain the peer-review process.
• Provide authors the right to appeal editorial decisions.
• Publish comprehensive author guidelines.
• Apply a double-blind peer review process.
• Not reverse editorial decisions unless serious ethical issues arise.

4. Editors’ Responsibilities to Reviewers

Editors must:

• Provide clear reviewer guidelines.
• Protect reviewer confidentiality.
• Maintain data security and anonymity.

5. Peer Review Process

• PHJBUU applies a double-blind peer review system.
• Manuscripts are evaluated according to journal criteria.
• Confidentiality is strictly maintained throughout the process.

6. Complaints and Appeals

• Editors must respond promptly to complaints.
• Complainants may resubmit complaints if unresolved.
• Complaints are handled according to COPE procedures.

7. Encouraging Academic Debate

• Critical comments on published articles may be disclosed when appropriate.
• Authors are given opportunities to respond.
• Negative or non-significant results should not be excluded.

8. Research Integrity

• All research must comply with internationally accepted ethical standards.
• Authors must provide ethics approval numbers, approving institutions, and approval dates.

9. Protection of Personal Data

• Editors must protect personal and confidential information.
• Written consent is required for publishing identifiable personal data or images.
• Exceptions may apply for public health importance when no objection exists.

10. Handling Research Misconduct

Editors shall:

• Investigate all allegations carefully.
• Allow accused parties to respond.
• Follow COPE flowcharts and procedures.

11. Corrections and Retractions

• Errors must be corrected clearly and promptly.
• Articles involving misconduct must be retracted with transparent justification.

12. Relationship with Journal Owners and Publishers

• Editorial decisions must remain independent.
• Acceptance is based on quality and relevance, not financial considerations.

13. Commercial Considerations

• Advertising must not mislead readers.
• Reprinted articles must retain original content unless clearly stated otherwise.

14. Conflict of Interest

PHJBUU requires transparent disclosure and management of conflicts of interest among:

• Editors
• Authors
• Reviewers
• Editorial board members

All processes must be auditable and transparent.

15. Handling Complaints Against Editors

• Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Editor first.
• If unresolved, complaints may be escalated to the institutional ethics committee.
• Only complaints processed through journal procedures will be reviewed further.

16. Appeal Process

Complainants may appeal decisions of the ethics committee by contacting the PHJBUU editorial office for procedural guidance.