Conflict of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest Policy

1. Purpose

The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Knowledge (IJIK) is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, objectivity, and integrity throughout the research and publication process.

A conflict of interest (COI) may arise when personal, professional, financial, academic, or other interests could reasonably be perceived as influencing the judgment or decisions of an author, reviewer, editor, or other person involved in the publication process.

The existence of a conflict does not necessarily mean that a person has acted improperly. However, relevant conflicts should be disclosed so that they can be appropriately assessed and managed.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

·  Authors and co-authors

·  Editors and the Editor-in-Chief

·  Editorial board members

·  Peer reviewers

·  Guest editors

·  Academic or institutional collaborators involved in the publication process

3. Types of Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts may be financial, personal, professional, academic, institutional, or otherwise relevant to the research or publication decision.

3.1 Financial Conflicts

Financial conflicts may include:

·  Employment or consultancy;

·  Research funding;

·  Grants or sponsorship;

·  Ownership of shares or financial interests;

·  Patents or patent applications;

·  Royalties;

·  Paid advisory positions;

·  Commercial relationships;

·  Financial support from organizations that may benefit from the research findings.

Authors should disclose financial relationships that could reasonably be perceived as relevant to the research.

3.2 Personal Relationships

A conflict may arise from personal relationships, including:

·  Close family relationships;

·  Close personal relationships;

·  Personal disputes;

·  Relationships that could reasonably affect impartial judgment.

Individuals should disclose relevant personal relationships when these could influence the research, review, or editorial decision.

3.3 Academic or Professional Conflicts

Academic or professional conflicts may include:

·  Working in the same research group;

·  Recent collaboration with an author;

·  Direct competition in the same research area;

·  Supervisory or student relationships;

·  Professional rivalry;

·  Institutional relationships that could affect impartiality.

3.4 Institutional Conflicts

A conflict may arise where an individual's institution has a direct interest in the outcome of the research or publication decision.

Examples include:

·  Research conducted within the individual's own institution;

·  Institutional financial interests;

·  Institutional partnerships;

·  Research involving an institution with which the editor or reviewer has a significant relationship.

·