Publication Ethics Statement

The Archives of Clinical and Experimental Orthopaedics (ACEO) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. The journal follows the principles and best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

“Integrity in publication is not just a requirement — it is the foundation of scientific trust.”

Editorial Integrity and Independence

Editors and the editorial board act independently in making publication decisions. The editorial process is free from external influence by sponsors, advertisers, or political entities. All decisions are based on the manuscript’s academic quality, originality, and relevance.

• Editors must not use unpublished information for personal research advantage.
• All editorial decisions are documented for accountability.
• Editors disclose conflicts of interest before accepting new submissions.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting to ACEO must adhere to ethical writing and research standards:

• Submit only original work that has not been published or submitted elsewhere.
• Properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism or data fabrication.
• Disclose all financial or personal conflicts of interest.
• Ensure all authors meet authorship criteria as defined by ICMJE.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers play an essential role in maintaining publication integrity by providing critical, unbiased feedback:

• Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.
• Avoid conflicts of interest and report them if they exist.
• Identify ethical issues such as plagiarism, falsification, or redundant publication.
• Provide constructive and evidence-based evaluations within agreed timelines.

Responsibilities of the Publisher

IgMin Research Publications ensures transparency, ethical compliance, and digital preservation of ACEO content. The publisher supports investigations into suspected misconduct and takes corrective action when necessary.

• Guarantees editorial freedom and independence.
• Provides mechanisms for retractions, corrections, and errata.
• Supports long-term archiving through LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, and PKP PN.

Ethical Oversight and Misconduct

ACEO handles allegations of misconduct according to COPE flowcharts and international standards:

• Manuscripts are screened for plagiarism, data manipulation, and redundant publication.
• When misconduct is suspected, the editor contacts the author for clarification.
• Confirmed cases result in rejection, retraction, or institutional notification.

Research Involving Humans and Animals

Authors must ensure ethical compliance when research involves human participants or animals:

• Include approval details from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee.
• Obtain written informed consent from human participants.
• Follow ARRIVE guidelines for animal experiments.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Transparency is essential to maintain trust in published research. Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts — financial, institutional, or personal — that could bias judgment or interpretation.

Data Availability and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to share raw data, methodologies, and protocols to promote reproducibility and open science. When data cannot be shared due to privacy or legal restrictions, a data availability statement must be provided.

Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Expressions

ACEO ensures correction of the scientific record when errors or misconduct are identified:

Peer Review Integrity

The peer review process is conducted under a double-blind system to ensure fairness and anonymity. Reviewers are selected based on expertise and ethical reputation.

Publication Decision Process

The Editor-in-Chief, guided by reviewer feedback and ethical standards, makes final publication decisions. Acceptance is based purely on academic merit and research quality.

Plagiarism and Redundant Publication

All manuscripts undergo similarity checks using iThenticate. Works exceeding acceptable thresholds or found to duplicate previously published material will be rejected or retracted as per COPE guidelines.

Ethical Research Communication

Authors are expected to use inclusive, unbiased, and respectful language throughout their manuscripts, avoiding discriminatory or stigmatizing terminology in reference to populations, gender, race, or disability.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or raise ethical concerns via email to [email protected]. Appeals are reviewed by an independent ethics committee within 30 days.

Transparency and Accountability

All editorial procedures, peer review policies, and APC information are publicly available on the ACEO website to ensure transparency and adherence to best publishing practices.

Conclusion

The Publication Ethics Statement of ACEO reaffirms the journal’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and transparency at every stage of publication. Ethical responsibility is shared among authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher to preserve the credibility of scientific knowledge.