The ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine is committed to promoting research integrity, scholarly transparency, accountability, and public trust in laboratory medicine and diagnostic literature. The journal does not permit research misconduct, publication misconduct, deliberate misrepresentation, or serious breaches of accepted ethical standards. Authors, reviewers, editors, and publishing personnel are expected to act responsibly throughout the research and publication process.
This policy is informed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations, and the transparency principles reflected in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) criteria. ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine assesses credible allegations relating to submitted or published content through a fair, confidential, and evidence-based process.
For the purposes of this policy, research and publication misconduct includes deliberate or reckless conduct that may distort the laboratory research record, misrepresent diagnostic evidence, compromise ethical oversight, or mislead readers, reviewers, or editors. Concerns considered by ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine may include:
When a credible allegation is raised by a reviewer, reader, complainant, author, editor, institution, or screening system, ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine follows a structured process informed by relevant COPE guidance:
The Editor-in-Chief or designated editor reviews the allegation, available evidence, and relevant manuscript or publication records to determine whether further inquiry is warranted.
The corresponding author or other relevant parties may be contacted with specific questions and provided a reasonable period to submit an explanation or supporting documentation.
Where appropriate, an uninvolved editor, subject expert, research-integrity adviser, or ad hoc editorial panel may assess the evidence and responses.
A proportionate editorial decision is made on the available evidence. Relevant institutions, funders, or oversight bodies may be contacted when further investigation falls within their authority.
When misconduct, unreliable findings, or a significant breach of journal policy is established, ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine may take one or more proportionate actions after considering the evidence and applicable guidance:
ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine treats reports submitted in good faith seriously and seeks to protect the identity of complainants and whistleblowers to the extent reasonably possible. Anonymous allegations may be considered when they contain sufficiently specific and verifiable information to support a responsible assessment.
This policy is reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in the journal's procedures, COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Recommendations, DOAJ transparency principles, and relevant ethical, legal, or scholarly publishing standards.