Conflict of Interest

Scientific Works (SW AzUAC) is committed to maintaining transparency, objectivity, and integrity throughout the submission, peer review, and publication processes.

A conflict of interest (COI) exists when personal, professional, academic, financial, or other relationships or interests could reasonably be perceived as influencing the objectivity, judgment, or interpretation of research or editorial decisions.

1. Authors

Authors are required to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may influence the research or its interpretation.

Potential conflicts may include, but are not limited to:

  • financial relationships or funding;

  • employment or consultancy;

  • research grants or other financial support;

  • personal or professional relationships;

  • academic or institutional affiliations;

  • ownership of intellectual property;

  • patents or pending patent applications;

  • other interests that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the research.

If no conflict of interest exists, authors should include a statement such as:

“The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.”

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their disclosure is complete and accurate.

2. Funding Disclosure

Authors should disclose all sources of financial or other support received for the research, including the name of the funding organization and, where applicable, the grant or project number.

Funding information should be provided in the manuscript in accordance with the journal's submission requirements.

The disclosure of funding does not imply that the funding organization influenced the research or publication process.

3. Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editors and Editorial Board members must disclose any conflict of interest that could affect their handling of a manuscript.

An editor who has a conflict of interest with a manuscript, its authors, or the research should not participate in the editorial decision-making process for that manuscript.

Where appropriate, the manuscript will be assigned to another qualified editor who has no relevant conflict of interest.

4. Reviewers

Reviewers must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest before accepting an invitation to review a manuscript.

Reviewers should decline the review if they:

  • have a personal or professional relationship with one or more authors that could affect their objectivity;

  • have collaborated with an author recently;

  • have a direct academic or professional competition with the authors;

  • have a financial or other interest related to the research;

  • are otherwise unable to provide an impartial assessment.

Reviewers must not use confidential information obtained during peer review for personal, professional, or financial benefit.

5. Conflicts of Interest During Double-Anonymous Peer Review

Scientific Works (SW AzUAC) uses a double-anonymous peer review process.

Although the identities of authors and reviewers are normally concealed from each other, a conflict of interest may still arise when a reviewer recognizes the authors or the research.

Reviewers should notify the Editorial Office if they believe that their relationship with the authors or the research could affect the impartiality of their review.

6. Editorial Handling of Conflicts

When a conflict of interest is identified, Scientific Works (SW AzUAC) will take appropriate steps to protect the integrity and impartiality of the editorial process.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

  • assigning another editor or reviewer;

  • requesting additional independent peer review;

  • requiring further disclosure from the authors;

  • recording the conflict in the editorial records;

  • taking other appropriate measures to ensure an impartial decision.

7. Disclosure in Published Articles

Where applicable, relevant conflict-of-interest and funding disclosures will be included in the published article.

The absence of a conflict should also be stated where required.

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy of their disclosures throughout the publication process.

8. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

If a previously undisclosed conflict of interest is identified after publication, Scientific Works (SW AzUAC) will assess the matter and may take appropriate action.

Depending on the circumstances and significance of the conflict, the journal may publish a correction, Editor's Note, Expression of Concern, or other appropriate post-publication notice.

Scientific Works (SW AzUAC) addresses conflicts of interest in accordance with recognized standards of scholarly publishing and relevant COPE guidance.