Editorial Policies
Ensuring integrity in toxicology research publishing.
Research Integrity Standards
Experimental and Clinical Toxicology adheres to Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and maintains highest ethical standards ensuring published toxicology research is trustworthy, reproducible, and contributes meaningfully to scientific knowledge.
All research manuscripts undergo rigorous single-blind peer review by qualified experts in relevant toxicology specialties. Reviewers assess scientific validity, methodological rigor, statistical appropriateness, and overall contribution to the field. At least two independent reviews are obtained for original research articles before editorial decisions.
Editors make final decisions based on reviewer recommendations, considering scientific merit, scope alignment, and ethical compliance. Authors receive detailed reviewer feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement regardless of decision outcome. The process aims to strengthen scholarship while maintaining efficiency.
Plagiarism Detection
All submissions are screened using iThenticate plagiarism detection software before peer review. Significant text overlap with previous publications results in rejection or retraction. Authors must paraphrase or quote appropriately and cite all sources.
Duplicate Submission
Manuscripts under consideration elsewhere or previously published are not acceptable. Authors must confirm originality and exclusivity at submission. Preprint posting is acceptable with disclosure in cover letter.
Authorship
All listed authors must meet ICMJE authorship criteria: substantial contribution to conception/design or data acquisition/analysis, manuscript drafting or critical revision, final approval, and accountability for all aspects of work.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose all financial relationships, institutional affiliations, and personal relationships that could influence research interpretation. Editors and reviewers with conflicts recuse from manuscript handling.
Studies involving human participants require documented institutional review board approval with protocol identification. Informed consent procedures must be described. Clinical trials must be registered in recognized registries with registration numbers reported in manuscripts.
Animal research requires documented institutional animal care committee approval. Authors should confirm adherence to ARRIVE guidelines for transparent reporting of animal research. Studies involving protected species, biosecurity concerns, or dual-use potential require additional regulatory compliance documentation.
Published articles containing significant errors are corrected through formal corrigendum notices. Corrections are linked to original articles ensuring readers access accurate information. Minor typographical errors may be corrected directly in online versions without formal notice.
Articles with fundamental flaws undermining conclusions, evidence of research misconduct, or unreported conflicts of interest may be retracted following COPE retraction guidelines. Retraction notices explain reasons while maintaining published record with clear retraction marking.
Appeals: Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting detailed responses addressing reviewer concerns. Appeals are reviewed by Editor-in-Chief and may involve additional review. Appeals must raise substantive scientific issues rather than disagreements with judgment calls.
Questions About Policies?
Contact our editorial office for policy clarification.
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