Ethical Policy

Innovations in Science, Technology, and Society (ISTS) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal that explores the dynamic relationship between scientific advancement, technological innovation, and societal change. ISTS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical conduct, ensuring that all research published meets rigorous scientific and ethical criteria.

 

1. Research Involving Human Subjects

All research involving human participants, human material, or human data must have been performed in accordance with the principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki [1].

 

1.1. Ethical Approval and Consent

•       Mandatory Approval: Research involving human participants must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and must have been approved by an appropriate institutional ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB).

•       Informed Consent: Informed consent must be obtained from all participants, and their rights and privacy should be protected.

•       Manuscript Statement: The manuscript must include a statement confirming that the study was approved by the relevant body and that ethical standards were upheld.

 

2. Research Involving Animals

Research involving animals must comply with internationally recognized guidelines for humane treatment and care.

 

•       Mandatory Approval: Authors must provide evidence of ethical approval from an animal ethics committee or equivalent body.

•       Reporting: The manuscript must include a statement confirming compliance with ethical standards for animal welfare.

 

3. Data Integrity and Transparency

Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed and provide sufficient details and references to allow others to replicate the research. Fabrication, falsification, selective reporting, or manipulation of data and images are unacceptable and constitute serious misconduct.

 

4. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses must be registered in a publicly accessible database (e.g., PROSPERO) prior to commencing the review. Furthermore, the reporting of these studies must strictly follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [2] to ensure transparency and completeness in the methodology and findings.

 

5. Authorship and Conflicts of Interest

ISTS adheres to the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the reported study. Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest—financial, professional, or personal—that could influence the interpretation of results.

 

References

[1] World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki [2] PRISMA Statement [3] Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) [4] International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)