Conflict of Interest

Policy on Conflicts of Interest, Research Ethics, and Informed Consent

Axis Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (AJHRS)

Purpose and Commitment

The Axis Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (AJHRS) is fundamentally dedicated to the transparent and ethical dissemination of scientific knowledge. Our commitment to intellectual integrity requires vigilant management of any factor that could compromise objectivity or the perception of objectivity in our published research. This policy establishes a mandatory framework for the comprehensive disclosure and management of conflicts of interest and affirms our unwavering requirement for ethical research conduct involving human participants and animals.

1. Policy on Conflicts of Interest (COI)

A conflict of interest exists when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional affiliations or relationships could be reasonably perceived as unduly influencing their scientific judgment, objectivity, or loyalty. AJHRS requires full transparency to maintain public trust and allow readers to form their own assessments of potential bias.

  • Definition and Scope: A COI may be financial (e.g., direct funding, stock ownership, consultancies, patent applications), personal (e.g., familial relationships, close personal connections), professional (e.g., academic affiliations, competitive rivalries), or political. The critical factor is the potential for actual or perceived bias.

  • Author Disclosure Requirements:

    • All authors must complete and submit the journal’s official Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form at the time of manuscript submission.

    • Disclosures must be comprehensive, detailing all relevant financial and non-financial interests that could be construed as a potential conflict.

    • The corresponding author is responsible for collecting and verifying disclosure statements from all co-authors.

  • Reviewer and Editor Disclosure Requirements:

    • Invited peer reviewers must decline to review a manuscript if they identify a significant conflict of interest and must inform the editor of the reason.

    • Editorial team members, including the Editor-in-Chief and Section Editors, must recuse themselves from any decision-making process on manuscripts where they have a COI.

  • Management and Publication of Disclosures:

    • All disclosed conflicts of interest will be assessed by the editorial office. The presence of a COI does not automatically preclude publication.

    • To ensure full transparency, a summary of relevant disclosures (or a statement of no conflicts) will be published prominently within the article.

    • In cases of significant potential bias, the journal may publish an accompanying editorial note, require additional independent review, or take other steps to safeguard the research's credibility.