Conflict of Interest Policy

Why Transparency Matters

Research in biochemistry doesn't happen in a vacuum. Companies fund studies. Manufacturers sponsor research. These relationships aren't inherently wrong — but they do need to be disclosed.

At the International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research, we believe readers deserve to know about anything that might have influenced a study's design, execution, or interpretation.

What Counts as a Conflict of Interest?

A conflict of interest exists when you have personal, financial, or professional interests that could influence your judgment. Here are some common examples:

Financial interests: You own stock in a company whose products are discussed in your paper. You hold patents that relate to the research.

Research funding: Your study was funded by a company or other organization with a stake in the outcomes.

Consulting and advisory roles: You've received fees for consulting or serving on advisory boards related to the research.

Employment: You work for — or have recently worked for — a company with interests related to your paper.

Speaking and travel: You've been paid to give talks, or had expenses covered by interested parties.

Personal relationships: A close family member works for a relevant company.

Institutional interests: Your institution has received significant funding from an organization that might benefit from your findings.

Competing research: You're working on a competing project that might bias your evaluation of similar work.

A Simple Test

If you're unsure whether something constitutes a conflict, ask yourself: Would a reasonable reader feel that this relationship might have influenced your work? If the answer is yes, or even maybe, disclose it.

For Authors

All authors must declare any conflicts of interest at the time of submission. This declaration will be published alongside the article if it's accepted.

Failure to disclose relevant conflicts is a serious matter. If undisclosed conflicts come to light after publication, we may issue a correction, an expression of concern, or retract the article.

For Editors and Reviewers

Reviewers should decline to evaluate manuscripts if they have a conflict. Editors must recuse themselves from handling submissions where they have a conflict.

What a Good Disclosure Looks Like

Be specific. "The authors have financial relationships with companies" tells readers very little. Better: "Dr. Smith has received consulting fees from Company X and research funding from Company Y."

Further Resources

For more detailed guidance, we recommend consulting Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Questions?

If you're unsure whether something needs to be disclosed, contact us at [email protected]. We're happy to help.