Conflicts of interest have the potential to influence, or appear to influence, the objectivity and integrity of scholarly work. IJMSTR is committed to fostering transparency in this regard and requires all participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—to disclose any relationships or interests that may affect their judgment.
A conflict of interest may arise from financial relationships, institutional affiliations, personal connections, or academic competition. While the existence of such interests does not necessarily preclude participation in the publication process, their disclosure is essential to enable informed evaluation and maintain trust among stakeholders.
Authors are required to provide a clear statement disclosing any potential conflicts at the time of submission. Reviewers and editors are similarly expected to recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists that could compromise impartiality. The Journal treats such disclosures with sensitivity and uses them to ensure that the review and decision-making processes remain fair and unbiased.
Failure to disclose relevant conflicts may undermine the credibility of the research and could result in corrective measures, including rejection or retraction. By promoting openness in this area, IJMSTR seeks to uphold the integrity of scholarly communication and reinforce confidence in the publication process.