Publication Ethics

Reporting Standards and Scholarly Integrity

Authors submitting original research to NJHS are required to uphold the highest standards of academic rigor and ethical responsibility. Manuscripts must present an accurate, objective, and transparent account of the research conducted, accompanied by a critical and balanced discussion of its scholarly contribution and limitations.

Authors must ensure that all underlying data are represented truthfully and that methodological details, references, and contextual information are provided with sufficient clarity to enable independent verification, replication, or further investigation.

Any form of data misrepresentation, fabrication, falsification, or unethical research conduct constitutes a serious violation of publication ethics and will result in appropriate corrective actions, including rejection, retraction, or notification to relevant institutional authorities.

Data Transparency and Retention

Authors are required to maintain all primary data, research protocols, and materials related to their submitted manuscripts. Upon request by the editorial team, authors must provide timely access to the raw data for the purposes of editorial review, validation, or investigation.

Where applicable and in accordance with disciplinary best practices and institutional guidelines, authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in publicly accessible repositories to promote transparency, reproducibility, and scholarly collaboration. Data should remain available for a reasonable period following publication to support verification of findings and further research.

Originality and Attribution

Submissions must constitute original scholarly contributions. Any textual, conceptual, or data-driven content derived from external sources including the authors’ prior publications, must be appropriately cited using discipline-specific citation conventions. Plagiarism in any form, including verbatim reproduction of text without attribution, paraphrased content lacking acknowledgment, or unauthorized reuse of copyrighted material, is strictly prohibited.

Publication Exclusivity

Authors must ensure that manuscripts submitted to NJHS represent original work that is not under simultaneous consideration by another journal. Duplicate or redundant publication defined as the submission or publication of substantially overlapping content across multiple outlets is strictly prohibited unless clearly justified and transparently disclosed (e.g., secondary analyses, translational research, or systematic reviews).

Authors are required to declare any prior dissemination of related material, including conference proceedings, preprints, or theses, at the time of submission. Failure to disclose such information constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

Acknowledgments and Intellectual Contributions

Authors must transparently acknowledge all entities that influenced the research design, execution, or interpretation, including funding sources, institutional support, and scholarly contributions from non-authors. Citations should reflect a comprehensive survey of relevant literature, ensuring proper attribution to works that substantively informed the study’s conceptual framework or methodology.

Authorship Criteria and Accountability

Authorship must be restricted to each researcher (ICMJE authorship criteria) available at http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/ who have made significant contributions to the study’s conception, design, execution, or interpretation. All co-authors must review and approve the final manuscript prior to submission, attest to its integrity, and consent to its publication. The corresponding author assumes responsibility for ensuring inclusive and accurate authorship attribution, resolving disputes, and coordinating communication with the editorial secretariat.

Ethical Compliance in Human

Manuscripts involving human participants must adhere to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/) (2024 revision), including informed consent and approval by an accredited Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Human Rights Policy

The National Journal of Health Sciences (NJHS) is committed to upholding the fundamental human rights of all individuals involved in the journal’s activities, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This policy outlines our commitment to ethical conduct and responsible practices. We believe that a respectful and inclusive environment is crucial for the advancement of health sciences knowledge.

Non-Discrimination

NJHS prohibits discrimination on any basis, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other protected characteristic. We strive to create a welcoming and equitable environment for all.

Respect for Human Dignity and Autonomy

All individuals involved in the journal’s operations, including authors and participants in research, must be treated with respect for their inherent dignity and autonomy. This includes adherence to principles of informed consent, confidentiality, and protection from harm.

Informed Consent and Ethical Research Practices

All research reported in manuscripts must clearly and transparently address the ethical implications of the research and demonstrate compliance with applicable national and international ethical guidelines. Authors are responsible for obtaining and documenting informed consent from all participants in accordance with relevant regulations. Manuscripts should explicitly state how informed consent was obtained, maintained anonymity and confidentiality, and addressed potential conflicts of interest.

Privacy and Data Protection

NJHS is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all personal data collected and used in the journal’s operations. We comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations. Data security measures will be clearly outlined and adhered to. Anonymity for individuals whose data is used must be maintained whenever possible.

Editorial Independence and Objectivity

Editorial decisions are based on rigorous scientific merit and adherence to quality standards, without bias or prejudice. Reviewers are expected to provide constructive criticism, while maintaining objectivity and avoiding discrimination or personal attacks.

Reporting of Potential Human Rights Violations

NJHS encourages the reporting of any suspected violation of human rights during the research, including instances of plagiarism, harassment, discrimination, or unethical research practices. Individuals who witness or suspect such violations are urged to report them to the journal’s editorial secretariat, along with relevant details and evidence.

Continuous Improvement and Review

NJHS is committed to ongoing improvement of its human rights policies and practices. We will regularly review and update this policy to reflect best practices and evolving ethical standards in the field of healthcare.

Training and Awareness

NJHS will provide training and resources for all editors, reviewers, and editorial staff to enhance their understanding of ethical principles, diversity, and inclusivity, and how to recognize and address potential violations of human rights.

Transparency and Dissemination

This Human Rights Policy will be widely disseminated to all stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, editors, and the audience, and will be prominently displayed on the journal’s website.

Animal Use Policy

This policy outlines the requirements for manuscripts reporting animal research published in the National Journal of Health Sciences. The purpose is to ensure that all animal research is conducted ethically, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable regulations. This policy aims to uphold the highest standards of animal welfare and promote transparency regarding animal use (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-animal-use-in-biomedical-research/ ).

Policy Requirements

Manuscripts reporting animal research must include the following:

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval: A statement clearly affirming that the research protocol was reviewed and approved by the relevant Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB) that has the authority for animal research review. The IACUC/IRB approval documentation must be readily accessible to the Journal and will be considered part of the submission process. The name and relevant contact information for the IACUC/IRB should be included.

Justification for Animal Use: A detailed justification for the use of animals, demonstrating that no viable non-animal alternatives exist. This justification must address the following:

Necessity: Clearly articulate why animal models are essential for the specific research question, and why alternative methods are not feasible. This should specifically address the limitations of alternative approaches (in vitro, computer modeling, etc.). If possible, include a comparison of animal models to other approaches.

Reduction: Detailed rationale for the number of animals used. Show how the number was determined using appropriate methodology, such as power calculations, pilot studies, and literature review to avoid unnecessary repetition. Explicitly describe any efforts to reduce the number of animals used, and justify any exception to this goal (with justification).

Refinement: A description of the specific procedures to minimize pain, distress, and discomfort to animals. This must include details on anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia protocols, as well as detailed care considerations (housing, feeding, enrichment, environmental controls). Justify any deviation from standard procedures based on peer-reviewed evidence.

Replacement: Demonstrate a rigorous search for, and describe, alternative methods to animal research.

Animal Care: A statement affirming that the animals were housed, cared for, and handled in accordance with relevant national and international standards for animal care and the IACUC/IRB guidelines. This should include a statement ensuring adherence to relevant legislation and regulations in the country where the research was conducted.

Personnel Training and Competence: A statement confirming that all personnel involved in animal care and experimentation possessed the necessary training and qualifications, ensuring competence in procedures. Include specific training details, if any.

Compliance with Regulations: Explicit confirmation of adherence to all relevant national and international laws and regulations governing animal research.

Compliance Verification

The National Journal of Health Sciences will employ rigorous processes to confirm compliance, including:

Peer Review: Reviewers will actively assess the detailed justification and documentation provided by authors regarding animal research.

Journal Staff Review: Journal staff will scrutinize the submitted documentation and ensure compliance with the stated policy.

Potential Additional Measures: In situations requiring further investigation, the Journal may solicit independent verification or consult relevant regulatory bodies.

Ethical Considerations

Researchers are responsible for conducting animal research with the utmost respect for animal welfare, upholding the highest ethical standards, and adhering to the principles of the 3Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement) outlined above.