Conflicts of Interest Policy for Reviewers
Overview
At RSIS International maintaining the integrity and transparency of the peer-review process is of utmost importance. To ensure unbiased evaluations, we require all reviewers to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their judgment during the review process.
What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest?
Conflicts of interest may arise in the following situations:
- Personal Relationships: When the reviewer has a personal connection with any of the authors.
- Professional Relationships: Collaboration with the authors on recent research or projects.
- Financial Interests: Financial ties to the research, funding sources, or affiliated institutions.
- Competing Work: When the reviewer is working on a similar study or has competing professional or academic interests.
Reviewer Responsibilities
- Disclosure: Reviewers must immediately disclose any conflicts of interest to the editorial team before accepting an invitation to review.
- Decline to Review: If a conflict is identified, reviewers should decline the assignment to ensure impartiality.
- Confidentiality: Reviewers are expected to maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and must not use the information for personal or professional gain.
Editorial Actions
In the case of a disclosed conflict, the editorial office will assess the situation and decide whether to reassign the review to another qualified expert. This ensures the credibility of the review process and the publication’s commitment to ethical standards.
Why This Policy Matters
Upholding this policy fosters trust between authors, reviewers, and the publication house. It ensures that published research meets the highest standards of objectivity and fairness.