Competing Interests/ Conflicts of Interest:

Definition:
Conflicts of interest may appear when an author, sponsor, or employer has financial, legal, commercial, or business affiliations with others involved in the research. Such conflicts arise when an individual has a vested interest in status, knowledge, relationships, money, or reputation. The conflicts of interest can impact the outcomes, which should be resolved immediately [1]. Editors, reviewers, and Authors must reveal all potential conflicts of interest.

Author’s Responsibility for Conflicts of Interest:
The corresponding author must disclose any conflicts of interest in the article upon submission to the International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT). It is imperative to disclose any financial support received from third parties and any other potential conflicts of interest. This information is crucial for maintaining transparency and ensuring all parties understand potential biases or influences clearly. Disclosing such information can compromise the integrity of the business or academic setting and may result in legal or ethical consequences. Therefore, it is essential to remain vigilant and forthcoming when disclosing financial support and potential conflicts of interest [2].

Suppose authors have reason to believe that the editor or reviewer handling your submission may have conflicts of interest. In that case, they should promptly notify the International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT). It is essential that all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, and editors, maintain the highest level of transparency and ethical conduct to ensure the integrity of the scholarly record. Promptly reporting potential conflicts of interest will help uphold these standards and ensure that the publication process remains fair and unbiased [3].

Please make sure that there are no conflicting interests that require disclosure. The corresponding author will provide this information in the cover letter or in the article itself without fail. The possible conflicts of interest may include:

  • The author and editor had a prior association.
  • The project has received funding from an undisclosed third party through financial assistance.
  • Having a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the research.
  • An invention for which a patent application has been submitted but has yet to be approved.
  • Someone having a financial or personal interest in preventing the research from being conducted or made public.

Regardless of the peer review model, authors ensure to include a declaration statement for competing interests at the end of the article before the reference section that will be revealed in the publishing article utilising one of the following statements provided:

  • The authors reveal no competing interests.
  • The authors declare the following conflicts of interest (must write all competing interests).
  • Authors have a confidential agreement that stops them from revealing any potential conflicts of interest related to this work.

Reviewer’s/Referee’s Responsibility for Conflicts of Interest:
The peer reviewers must terminate themselves from matters where substantial conflicts of interest exist, whether financial or otherwise. Failure to do so will result in potential impacts. The reviewers/referees must notify the editors of any conflicts of interest. The editors will examine the conflict statement while evaluating the reviewer’s recommendation. To maintain the integrity of the peer review process, reviewers/referees must follow it strictly.

Editor’s/Editorial Board Member’s Responsibility for Conflicts of Interest:
Being an editor or editorial board member of the International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT), it is your accountability to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether they pertain to financial considerations or other aspects. Disclosing such information is crucial to prevent editorial decisions from being affected by personal conflicts of interest that either exist or are perceived to exist. By making such disclosures, editors/editorial board members are upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and transparency and helping to maintain the trust of readers and stakeholders. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all editors and members to be diligent in identifying and disclosing any conflicts of interest that may arise during their work.

Being an editor or editorial board member of the International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT), you must disclose your competing interests when participating in a peer review process. If such conflicts of interest exist, it is best to avoid steering the articles. It applies to prior collaboration with authors or affiliation with the same institution. It is crucial to maintain transparency and avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Template for Conflicts of Interest:
Conflicts of interest can be sensitive for authors, reviewers, and editors. The International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) will help you navigate this intricate matter. The authors can download the template here, which will help to guide conflicts of interest. The International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) empowers you to maintain the highest levels of integrity and objectivity in all aspects of your work.

References:

  1. Investopedia – TROY SEGAL: Conflict of Interest Explained: Types and Examples
  2. WAME – Conflict of Interest in Peer-Reviewed Medical Journals
  3. COPE- Conflicts of interest / Competing interests
  4. Strictly inherited to the Editorial and Publishing Policies of Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP)