Conflict of interests (Coi)
The Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (JMHS) recognise the conflict of interests that may arise where members of editorial boards submit papers in any of our journals and especially where they are editors or members of editorial boards. Measures are put in place to minimise the impact of conflicting interests. We understand that high quality and uncompromised research output is the backbone of academia. The following measures are put in place:
- a) Where the Managing editor submits a paper in any of the journals;
In this case, the managing editor sends the paper directly to the editor-in-chief of such a journal. This also applies where a paper is submitted in which the managing editor is a co-author. The editor then handles the process as managing editor and makes no correspondence to the author. The paper is sent to the reviewers who return reports to the editor and the editor treats the author like any other. Requesting all corrections to be effected and ensuring due diligence is observed in the process of peer review to the end. The managing editor must also recognise that any compromise with the process results to low quality paper.
- b) Where the editor-in-chief submits a paper in any of the journals;
In case the editor-in-chief is submitting a paper (or a paper is submitted where s/he is a co-author) where he/she is editor, the managing editor handles the whole process by appointing a member of the editorial board as editor-in-chief for that particular paper.
- c) Where a member of the editorial board submits a paper in a journal they are reviewers;
In this case, the editor-in-chief must not in their assigning of reviewers assign them their papers or disclose the ownership to reviewers as per our double blind peer review policy. In all processes, due diligence must be observed to ensure papers are published without the conflict of interest compromising on quality.
In order to maintain and sustain high levels of integrity in the Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (JMHS), this policy may be updated from time to time as matters of Coi arise.
