Conflict of Interest
The Journal of Integrated Social Sciences and Wellbeing (JISSAW) requires full transparency regarding any professional, financial, or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing the research or editorial process. We strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
1. Definition
A conflict of interest (or competing interest) exists when professional judgment concerning a primary interest (such as the validity of research) may be influenced by a secondary interest (such as financial gain, career advancement, or personal relationships). These conflicts can be financial, institutional, political, or academic.
2. Declaration Requirements
All authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts that might bias their work. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Financial Ties: Research grants, consultancies, honoraria, or paid advisory roles (e.g., funding from a pharmaceutical company or a social advocacy group).
- Professional Affiliations: Employment or leadership positions in organizations that may benefit from the research findings (e.g., serving on the board of an NGO being evaluated).
- Personal Relationships: Immediate family members working in related industries or organizations.
Note: The existence of a conflict does not prevent publication; however, failure to declare it is considered scientific misconduct.
3. Submission Procedure
Authors must declare all potential conflicts in two places:
- Online Submission Form: Check the appropriate box during the upload process.
- Manuscript Declaration Statement: Include a dedicated "Conflict of Interest" section immediately before the References.
- If a conflict exists: Detail the specific relationship (e.g., "Author A received a research grant from Foundation X.").
- If no conflict exists: You must include the standard statement: "The authors declare no competing interests."
