TSRJ is dedicated to upholding the integrity of the research we publish. The credibility of academic publishing depends on all participants acting ethically. The points below provide a general overview and are not exhaustive. Authors and editors are encouraged to consult the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for detailed guidance. TSRJ follows COPE’s Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. If a journal ceases publication and its website is removed, all articles will be made Open Access permanently via the CLOCKSS archive. For journal-related ethical queries, please contact the journal Editor, the TSRJ Publishing Editor, or email us directly.

TSRJ’s Commitments

• Ensuring the editorial independence of journal editors
• Supporting editors to manage their journals ethically and transparently
• Maintaining an accurate and transparent scholarly record, including publishing corrections and retractions when necessary

Author Responsibilities

Authors should ensure that:

• Their work is original and authored by them
• Their manuscript has not been previously published and is submitted only to the intended journal
• All sources are properly cited, and permissions are obtained where required
• Their work does not violate intellectual property or privacy rights
• Data is accurate, authentic, and not manipulated
• They own the data used or have permission to reproduce it
• All financial and non-financial conflicts of interest are disclosed at submission
• They follow ethical guidelines relevant to their discipline, particularly for human or animal studies
• Any errors found before or after publication are promptly reported to the Editor and corrected
• Authorship is accurately represented, and all contributors have consented to publication

Transparency is essential. If there is uncertainty about originality or overlap with prior publications, authors must inform the editor. If approved, overlaps should be clearly disclosed in the manuscript. For more details, visit the Information for Authors page.

Editors

Editors should:

• Uphold and promote consistent ethical standards for their journals
• Ensure policies are enforced fairly, transparently, and consistently
• Safeguard the confidentiality of the peer review and editorial process
• Maintain the highest levels of personal integrity and manage conflicts of interest
• Collaborate with authors, reviewers, and board members to ensure awareness and fair oversight of ethical standards

For additional guidance, see the TSRJ Information for Editors page.

Additional Resources

• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
• American Educational Research Association (AERA) — Code of Ethics
• American Political Science Association (APSA) — Ethics Resources
• American Psychological Association (APA) — Ethics Code
• British Educational Research Association (BERA) — Resources
• Council of Science Editors (CSE) — Editorial Policy Resources
• International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) — Recommendations
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Ethics Procedures
• World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) — Policies & Resources
• World Medical Association (WMA) — Medical Ethics

Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

• Preserve confidentiality of the peer review process
• Avoid contacting authors directly unless permitted by the editor
• Disclose any conflicts of interest and decline reviews if necessary
• Provide fair, objective, and constructive feedback

Reviewers may hold specific perspectives or affiliations but should act objectively. If uncertain about a potential conflict, consult the journal editor. For more information, see the TSRJ Information for Reviewers page.

Responsibilities of Everyone, Including Editorial Boards

• Promote fairness, equality, and oppose discrimination
• Foster transparency and respect for the academic record
• Maintain confidentiality of all parties involved
• Disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest

Content published in TSRJ journals reflects the views of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the positions of the journal, affiliated organizations, or TSRJ itself.

TSRJ upholds editorial independence, allowing editors to make publication decisions autonomously. We are committed to publishing work grounded in sound science and evidence-based discussion, while fully respecting academic freedom.

As an independent publisher, integrity is a core principle at TRESEARCH, and we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards throughout the publication process. This dedication is reflected in the way we manage our special collections.

Our Special Collections

TSRJ launches special collections that:

• Address timely and relevant research topics
• Are led and curated by expert guest editors
• Foster collaboration among authors and research communities
• Are freely accessible to ensure broad reach

Our emphasis on quality ensures that each collection maintains its unique value while achieving its research goals. Special collections enrich the research community and contribute meaningfully to the broader scholarly landscape.

Guest Editors at TSRJ

Our in-house editorial team carefully reviews all proposals from potential guest editors. Every guest editor is a recognized expert in their field, ensuring they have the credibility to invite submissions and provide initial recommendations on papers for their collection.

Accepted guest editors at TSRJ typically demonstrate:

• A strong publication record in the relevant research area
• Professional credentials aligned with the collection topic
• Verifiable institutional positions
• Clear and well-defined objectives for their special collection

Publishing High-Quality Articles

All articles submitted to special collections undergo full, independent peer review in line with TSRJ’s publishing and review policies. Acceptance is not guaranteed. Submissions are held to the same rigorous standards as regular journal articles. These policies ensure fairness, ethical handling of submissions, and the publication of scientifically sound and accurate research. TSRJ is committed to publishing only the highest quality work in its special collections.

The Role of Our Editorial Boards

Guest editors are supported by TSRJ’s editorial staff to identify collection topics, encourage submissions, and advise on the suitability of manuscripts. These processes are separate from peer review. While guest editors can recommend whether an article fits the scope of a collection, final editorial decisions rest with the journal’s editor-in-chief or publisher.

Being an Independent Publisher

TRESEARCH independence is central to our identity. As a privately held publisher, we are not influenced by shareholders or public markets. This allows us to measure success by our mission: advancing knowledge, supporting the research process, and promoting scholarship that is verified, taught, and applied. Our independence enables us to champion innovative ideas, collaborate with researchers and guest editors, and anticipate the evolving needs of the research and higher education community.

At TSRJ, we follow the principles of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to ensure fair and transparent attribution for all contributors. Authors submitting manuscripts to TSRJ journals should be aware of the following guidelines.

Criteria for Authorship

All listed authors must meet these requirements:

• Made substantial contributions to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the research
• Drafted the article or critically revised it for important intellectual content
• Approved the final version of the manuscript for publication
• Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work, including addressing any concerns about accuracy or integrity

Note: Requirements 2 and 3 do not exclude those who have made significant contributions. Some TSRJ journals use the CRediT taxonomy to clarify roles.

Author Roles

The submitting author must provide accurate contact details and add all eligible authors. A co-author may be designated as the corresponding author with consent. The corresponding author manages post-publication communications and assumes responsibility for the article.

Group Authorship

TSRJ supports group authorship (e.g., consortia, working groups). Members who meet authorship criteria should be listed; those not qualifying may be acknowledged.

Author Affiliations

Affiliations must reflect the institution where the research was conducted. If an author has moved, list the institution where most work was completed, with current affiliations noted if needed. Affiliations must be accurate as they cannot be changed post-publication.

Authorship Changes

Any additions, deletions, or changes to authorship require approval from all listed authors using the authorship change form. Changes after acceptance are not permitted. Incomplete or inappropriate requests may lead to rejection.

Deceased or Incapacitated Authors

If a co-author dies before submission or during peer review, approval from next of kin or a legal representative is required to retain authorship. If incapacitated, TSRJ will attempt to contact next of kin or may hold the submission until approval is obtained. If not possible, the name may be moved to the acknowledgements section.

Authorship Disputes

Disputes during peer review place the manuscript on hold until resolved. If unresolved, the manuscript may be returned to authors and the institution notified. Post-publication disputes are referred to the author’s institution; TSRJ cannot adjudicate such conflicts.

Changes to Author Names After Publication

TSRJ recognizes that authors’ names or pronouns may change over time. Requests should be submitted via the name/pronoun change form, including:

• Updated name/pronoun
• Article DOI(s)
• Consent to notify co-authors (optional)

Note: Corrections for spelling, middle initials, or degrees should be submitted as post-publication corrections, not via the name change form.

Proof Review and Redelivery

After submission, revised proofs are typically prepared within 5–7 business days. Authors must review and approve proofs before publication. Corrected articles are then re-delivered to indexing and abstracting databases. Authors may also update references in databases like Mendeley or Web of Science. TSRJ ensures updates are handled promptly and confidentially.

TSRJ adheres to COPE and ICMJE guidelines regarding the disclosure of conflicts of interest by authors, reviewers, and editors. A conflict of interest refers to any direct or indirect interest that could affect the conduct, evaluation, or interpretation of the research presented in a submission. Relevant interests include those held within five years prior to the start of the research, although authors should also disclose any other interests outside this period if they might have influenced the work.

What Authors Need to Declare

Authors submitting to any TSRJ journal are required to disclose any direct or indirect interests related to their manuscript. This ensures that editors, reviewers, and readers can make informed judgments regarding potential biases in the research, writing, or publication process. Conflicts of interest may include the following:

Financial Interests

• Grants, payments, or funding from agencies, commercial entities, or organizations likely to benefit financially from the research
• Employment or affiliation with organizations that may gain from the research outcomes
• Stocks, shares, patents, patent applications, or other financial holdings that could profit from the publication
• Consulting fees, reimbursements, or payments for conducting the research
• Close relatives who could financially benefit from the results or publication

Non-Financial Interests

• Membership, affiliation, or advisory roles in organizations connected to the research outcomes
• Membership in professional societies or organizations involved in advocacy related to the topic
• Personal ideology, beliefs, or faith that relates to the research
• Activism or advocacy work connected to the research subject
• Political views, legal actions, or disputes that could influence the study or interpretation
• Research competition, prior disagreements, or close working relationships with editors or board members
• Editorial roles or membership on the journal’s editorial board

How Authors Should Make a Declaration

Authors should include their declaration under the heading “Declaration of Conflicting Interests”, placed after any acknowledgments and before Funding, Notes, or References. If there are no conflicts to report, the following statement will be published:

“The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.”

When completing the contributor license, authors must certify that:

• All sources of financial support are fully acknowledged in the article
• Any commercial or financial arrangements have been discussed with the Editor
• No agreements with sponsors compromise the impartial reporting of research data

Submissions will be evaluated fairly, and declared conflicts do not automatically lead to rejection. However, undisclosed conflicts identified during or after review may result in rejection or correction. TSRJ follows COPE guidance for post-publication conflicts.

What Editors Need to Declare

Editors must disclose any conflicts that could influence peer review or editorial decisions. If a conflict exists, another Editorial Board member will handle the manuscript, and the conflicted editor must recuse themselves. Conflicts may include financial and non-financial interests, similar to those for authors.

Editors should also recuse themselves if they are affiliated with the same institution as the authors or have collaborated on research with them within the last three years. Journal Editors or Editorial Board members submitting their own research must declare this conflict; an alternate editor will manage the peer review. Guest Editors submitting to a special issue they are overseeing must also declare conflicts, and their submission will be managed independently.

TSRJ Editorial Staff

All TSRJ editorial staff must declare their employment at TSRJ as a potential conflict of interest when submitting a manuscript. These submissions are handled in the same way as all others, under the journal’s standard review process.

All research articles must include a funding statement. This should appear under the heading Funding, following any Acknowledgments and Declaration of Conflicting Interests, and before Notes and References.

The statement should begin with the bolded text below, followed by the full name of the funding organization and the grant number in square brackets:

“The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article:” This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [grant number xxx].

For multiple grant numbers, separate them with commas. For multiple funding agencies, use semicolons. If your research was indirectly supported by grants available to your institution but not to you personally, use this statement instead:

“The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.”

Note: If disclosing funding could compromise anonymity during peer review, you may wait until submitting the final accepted manuscript.

Industry-Funded Research

TSRJ will consider industry-funded articles only if the funding is fully disclosed, including any role the funder played in study design, analysis, or interpretation of data. Both direct and indirect funding must be declared. Indirect funding includes organizations associated with the research or authors that receive support from industries where the funder might have a vested interest in the study outcomes.

Examples of such industries include:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Tobacco
• E-cigarettes
• CBD

Failure to disclose industry-related funding may result in rejection at submission or retraction after publication if the omission is discovered.

Maintaining high ethical standards in publishing requires clear documentation supporting the results reported in research articles. The following guidance provides examples of how to include ethics approval and informed consent statements.

Studies Involving Humans

All studies involving human participants, including patients, their samples, or data, must receive approval from a qualified research ethics committee before beginning the study, in line with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics statements should appear in the Methods section (unless otherwise required) and must include:

• Name and location of the review board
• Approval number
• Date of approval

Examples of Ethics Approval Statements

• “This study was approved by the XXXX Research Ethics Committee (approval no. XYZ123) on Month DD, YYYY.”
• “This study received ethical approval from the XXXX IRB (approval #XYZ123) on Month DD, YYYY.”
• Survey participants: “The XXXX Ethics Review Committee at XXXX University approved our interviews (approval: XYZ123). Participants provided written consent before interviews began.”
• Patient consent not required: “This study received approval from the XXXX IRB (approval #XYZ123). All patient data were de-identified; consent was not required.”
• Retrospective multicenter study: “Approval was granted on Month DD, YYYY by the central IRB at XXXX (Ref. XYZ123). A waiver for consent was approved.”
• Human samples: “This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of XXXX University (Ethics Code: XYZ123). All participants provided written informed consent.”
• Ethics approval and consent waived: “The Ethics Committee of XXXX waived ethics approval and participant consent for this non-interventional study using anonymized data.”
• Case reports: “Ethical approval for reporting this case (approval number/ID) was obtained from XXXX Ethics Committee.”

Patient or Participant Consent

Authors must declare that consent was obtained for use of personal information, including how it was collected. Informed consent requires:

1. Clear communication of information
2. Participant comprehension
3. Voluntary participation

Statements should indicate whether consent was written or verbal, and whether participants agreed to the study, publication, and use of images. If data were anonymized, this must be clearly stated. For open-access publications, participants must be informed that the article will be publicly available.

Special Cases

• Legally incapable individuals: Provide explanation, seek assent, consider preferences, and obtain permission from a legal representative if required.
• Ethnographic research: Seek ethics approval and consent in advance, with consultation of affected groups. Retroactive consent may be acceptable if prior consent is not feasible. Participants must be informed of any confidentiality limits.

Examples of Consent Statements

• Written informed consent: “The study was approved by XXXX (Ethical Clearance Ref: XYZ123). All participants provided written informed consent.”
• Written consent by representative: “Consent was obtained from a legally authorized representative for anonymized patient information used in this article.”
• Verbal consent: “Consent was obtained verbally and audio-recorded in the presence of an independent witness.”
• Consent for minors: “Written informed consent was provided by legal guardians/next of kin.”
• Consent for images: “Written informed consent was obtained for publication of identifiable images or data.”
• If consent not obtained: “Consent for the information published in this article was not obtained because [reason].”

Studies Involving Animals

All research involving animals, especially vertebrates, must be reviewed and approved by a qualified ethics or welfare committee. Statements should include the committee’s name, location, approval number, and date.

Examples

• “Protocols for animal experiments were approved by the Animal Experimental Ethics Committee of XXXX University (Approval no. XYZ123), in accordance with NIH guidelines.”
• “All animals were maintained in compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996). Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of XXXX (Approval no. XYZ123).”
• “The XXX Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved the experimental procedures (approval no. XYZ123).”
• “All animal housing and procedures followed the institutional Guidelines for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals at [Institution Name].”

Studies Not Involving Humans or Animals

• “This article does not include any studies involving human or animal participants.”
• “No human participants were involved in this article, and informed consent was not required.”

Global Research Ethics and Inclusion

For international research, authors should follow the TRUST Code and include a statement in the methods section describing adherence to its principles. Some journals may request a separate heading titled Global Research Ethics and Inclusion. Statements should confirm:

• Research is locally relevant and conducted in collaboration with local communities
• Local researchers are appropriately credited, ideally as first and/or last authors where applicable
• Local ethics approval was obtained, or reasons provided if not
• Steps were taken to protect participants’ safety, well-being, and cultural sensitivities
• Research met the highest ethical standards, regardless of local requirements

Authors are encouraged to follow the Consensus Statement on Equitable Authorship in International Research Partnerships (Morton et al., 2022) to ensure fair and transparent recognition of contributions.