The Journal of Clinical Advances in Dentistry (JCAD) adheres to the highest standards of ethical publishing and professional integrity. This Ethics and Malpractice Statement is based on guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the ICMJE, and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

Responsibilities of Authors

• Ensure originality of submitted work and avoid plagiarism in all forms.
• Provide accurate data and transparent methodology.
• Disclose conflicts of interest and sources of funding.
• Obtain necessary ethical approvals for research involving humans or animals.
• Agree to correct, retract, or withdraw work if errors or misconduct are discovered.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Make impartial decisions based on academic merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.
• Ensure confidentiality of submitted manuscripts during the review process.
• Act promptly on suspected misconduct in line with COPE flowcharts.
• Maintain editorial independence from financial or political influence.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
• Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts under review.
• Declare conflicts of interest prior to accepting a review.
• Report suspected plagiarism, ethical concerns, or data manipulation.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher supports editorial independence, ensures the integrity of the academic record, and implements policies to detect and prevent publication malpractice. Allegations of misconduct are investigated thoroughly and transparently.

Handling of Misconduct

If malpractice is suspected, the journal follows COPE’s recommended procedures:

• Initial investigation by the editorial office
• Contact with the author(s) for explanation
• Consultation with the editorial board
• Possible retraction, correction, or expression of concern, depending on findings

Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts are screened with plagiarism detection tools. Submissions with significant similarity indices are rejected or returned to authors for revision.

Data Integrity

Authors must retain raw data for a minimum of five years after publication and provide it upon request for verification. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting is considered malpractice.

Retractions and Corrections

The journal publishes retraction notices for articles found to contain major errors or fraudulent data. Minor errors may be corrected with errata or corrigenda.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by providing detailed justification. Complaints regarding ethical issues, peer review, or editorial handling are investigated impartially.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review are treated as confidential documents. Editors and reviewers must not disclose content to third parties or use unpublished information for personal gain.

FAQs

What happens if duplicate submission is detected?

The manuscript is rejected immediately, and the institution may be notified.

What should reviewers do if they suspect misconduct?

Reviewers should confidentially inform the editorial office, which will investigate in line with COPE procedures.

Can retracted articles remain accessible?

Yes, retracted articles remain accessible online with clear labeling to preserve the scholarly record.