Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Overview

Our Dermatology Online is committed to maintaining high standards of publication ethics and research integrity.

The journal follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other internationally recognised guidelines for responsible scholarly publishing.

All parties involved in the publication process — authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher — are expected to adhere to ethical standards and best practices.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to Our Dermatology Online must ensure that:

  • the work is original and has not been published previously or submitted elsewhere;
  • all sources are properly cited and acknowledged;
  • all listed authors have made a significant contribution to the work;
  • all authors approve the final version of the manuscript;
  • any conflicts of interest are disclosed;
  • research involving human participants complies with ethical standards and has received appropriate approval where required;
  • informed consent has been obtained when applicable;
  • patient privacy and confidentiality are protected.

Plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, duplicate publication, and other forms of research misconduct are not acceptable.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • making editorial decisions based on the scientific and clinical merit of manuscripts;
  • ensuring a fair, unbiased, and timely peer review process;
  • maintaining confidentiality of submitted manuscripts;
  • identifying and managing conflicts of interest;
  • taking appropriate action in cases of suspected misconduct;
  • ensuring that ethical standards are upheld throughout the editorial process.

Editorial decisions are not influenced by commercial or personal interests.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of published research.

Reviewers are expected to:

  • provide objective, constructive, and timely evaluations;
  • maintain confidentiality of manuscripts;
  • declare any conflicts of interest;
  • avoid using unpublished material for personal advantage.
Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.

All individuals who meet the criteria for authorship should be listed as authors. Individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged.

Guest authorship, honorary authorship, and ghost authorship are not acceptable.

Conflicts of Interest

All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the evaluation or interpretation of a manuscript.

Conflicts of interest may include financial, institutional, personal, or professional relationships.

Research Ethics and Patient Consent

Research involving human participants must comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations.

Authors must provide:

  • confirmation of ethical approval where required;
  • information on informed consent;
  • assurance that patient anonymity has been preserved.

Identifiable patient information should not be published without explicit consent.

Plagiarism and Misconduct

The journal does not tolerate:

  • plagiarism;
  • duplicate publication;
  • data fabrication or falsification;
  • citation manipulation;
  • unethical research practices.

Manuscripts may be screened for originality using appropriate tools.

Suspected misconduct is handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Handling of Misconduct

In cases of suspected ethical violations, the journal may:

  • request clarification from the authors;
  • conduct an investigation;
  • contact the authors’ institution;
  • reject the manuscript;
  • issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions;
  • take other appropriate actions.

All cases are handled in accordance with established ethical guidelines.

Corrections and Retractions

The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.

Where necessary, the journal will publish:

  • corrections;
  • expressions of concern;
  • retractions.

All notices are clearly identified and linked to the original article.

Complaints and Appeals

Authors may submit complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions or processes.

Appeals should be supported by a clear and detailed justification.

Complaints and appeals are handled by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editor where appropriate.

Ethical Oversight

The journal applies ethical standards to all submitted and published content, including research articles, case reports, and clinical images.

Special attention is given to:

  • patient consent and confidentiality;
  • ethical approval requirements;
  • responsible reporting of clinical data.
Final Statement

All participants in the publication process are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and responsible scholarly communication.

Failure to comply with these standards may result in rejection of the manuscript or post-publication actions.

The journal reserves the right to take appropriate action in accordance with established ethical guidelines.

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