Conflict of Interest Policy

The Medical Technology Journal of Applied Science (MTJAS) Conflict of Interest Policy

1. Purpose

The Medical Technology Journal of Applied Science (MTJAS) is committed to ensuring the integrity and transparency of the research it publishes. A potential conflict of interest (COI) exists when an individual's personal, professional, or financial relationships could be perceived as influencing their objectivity in the editorial process. This policy requires all parties involved—authors, reviewers, and editors—to disclose any potential conflicts to maintain reader trust and the scientific validity of our publications.

2. What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest?

A conflict of interest can be direct or indirect and may be financial, professional, or personal. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Financial Interests: Receiving payment, grants, or a salary from an organization that may gain or lose from the publication of a manuscript. This also includes stock ownership, patents, or royalties.

  • Professional Relationships: Being a consultant, an employee, or having close collaborations with an organization or individuals whose work is being reviewed.

  • Personal Relationships: Close personal relationships, such as with family members, friends, or rivals, that could affect an objective decision.

3. Author Responsibilities

Authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest for all authors at the time of submission. This includes any financial support, personal relationships, or professional affiliations that might be relevant. This information should be included in a dedicated "Conflict of Interest" section at the end of the manuscript, before the references. If no conflicts exist, authors must state: "The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper."

4. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are asked to confirm that they have no conflicts of interest with the authors or the content of the manuscript they are asked to review. If a reviewer identifies a potential conflict, they should immediately decline the review and notify the Editor-in-Chief. This ensures that the double-blind review process remains impartial.

5. Editor Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and members of the editorial board must recuse themselves from the review and decision-making process for any manuscript where they have a conflict of interest. This includes manuscripts where they are an author, have been a collaborator with an author, or have any other relationship that could compromise their objectivity. A substitute editor will be appointed to handle the manuscript.

6. Unreported Conflicts

Failure to disclose a conflict of interest is a serious ethical violation. If an undisclosed conflict is discovered, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include the rejection of the manuscript, or in the case of a published article, the issuance of an expression of concern or a full retraction.