Ethical Principles

The editorial board of Health Psychology and Behavioral Disorders is firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct throughout the entire publication process. As an academic journal dedicated to the advancement of health psychology and behavioral science, we adhere to international guidelines and ethical principles that ensure the integrity, transparency, and academic value of the research we publish.

All parties involved in the act of publishing—authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers—must agree to and uphold the ethical principles outlined below. These guidelines are based on internationally accepted standards, particularly those from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the ICMJE, and the WAME.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for the integrity and accuracy of the research they submit. By submitting a manuscript to Health Psychology and Behavioral Disorders, authors agree to the following:

a) Originality and Plagiarism

  • Authors must submit original work that has not been published elsewhere or is not under consideration by another journal.

  • Proper citation and acknowledgment of others' work must be ensured.

  • The use of plagiarized content, including self-plagiarism or duplicate publication, is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate rejection or retraction.

b) Authorship Criteria

  • All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or writing of the manuscript.

  • Individuals who contributed in a minor capacity (e.g., technical editing or translation) should be acknowledged but not listed as authors.

  • Changes in authorship (addition, deletion, or rearrangement) must be approved by all co-authors and explained in writing.

c) Data Integrity and Availability

  • Authors must ensure the accuracy and reliability of data presented in their manuscript.

  • Data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation is considered serious scientific misconduct.

  • Authors may be asked to provide raw data or supplementary files during the review or post-publication stages.

d) Conflict of Interest Disclosure

  • All potential conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, personal, or professional) that could influence the research must be disclosed at the time of submission.

e) Ethical Approval and Human Participants

  • For studies involving human participants, authors must confirm that they obtained approval from an accredited Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee.

  • A statement of informed consent must be included for studies involving identifiable human data or direct participation.

f) Multiple and Redundant Publication

  • Manuscripts that represent redundant publications or "salami slicing" (fragmentation of research into multiple papers) will not be accepted.

  • Submissions must not have been previously published or be under review elsewhere.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the scientific quality and objectivity of the journal. By agreeing to review a manuscript, reviewers commit to the following:

a) Confidentiality

  • Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared or discussed with others without permission from the editor.

b) Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

  • Reviews should be conducted objectively, and comments should be clear, evidence-based, and focused on improving the quality of the manuscript.

  • Personal criticism or derogatory remarks are not acceptable.

c) Conflict of Interest

  • Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that might bias their review, such as personal relationships, academic rivalry, or financial connections.

  • Reviewers with conflicts should decline the review assignment.

d) Timeliness

  • Reviewers are expected to submit their evaluations within the agreed-upon deadline. If delays are anticipated, reviewers must inform the editorial office promptly.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of Health Psychology and Behavioral Disorders, including the Editor-in-Chief, associate editors, and section editors, is responsible for ensuring that the publication process adheres to the highest ethical standards.

a) Fairness and Impartiality

  • Editorial decisions are based solely on the academic merit of the manuscripts, including originality, clarity, relevance, and scientific validity—regardless of the authors' gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or institutional affiliation.

b) Confidentiality

  • Editors must ensure that all information related to submitted manuscripts remains confidential and is only disclosed to those directly involved in the review and publication process.

c) Decision-Making

  • Editors are responsible for making final decisions on manuscripts based on the reviewers' evaluations, adherence to ethical standards, and the relevance of the research to the journal’s scope.

d) Handling Misconduct

  • Allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and unethical research, will be investigated thoroughly and confidentially.

  • If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions will be taken, which may include retraction, notification of the author’s institution, or legal action.

e) Corrections and Retractions

  • If significant errors or ethical breaches are discovered post-publication, the journal will publish corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as needed.

  • Corrections will be clearly labeled and linked to the original article.

4. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

The journal follows a structured process for investigating ethical complaints or misconduct:

  1. All complaints are reviewed confidentially by the Editor-in-Chief.

  2. The accused author(s) will be contacted and given the opportunity to respond.

  3. If misconduct is confirmed, actions may include manuscript rejection, article retraction, blacklisting of authors, or reporting to relevant authorities.

  4. Minor issues may result in correction notices, while serious violations may lead to retraction or disciplinary action.

All misconduct will be handled in accordance with COPE flowcharts and best practices.

5. Advertising and Commercial Influence

Health Psychology and Behavioral Disorders does not accept advertising that may compromise editorial independence. Editorial decisions are made without influence from commercial interests, sponsors, or funding agencies.

6. Appeals and Complaints

Authors who disagree with editorial decisions may submit a formal appeal to the Editor-in-Chief, providing detailed justification. Appeals will be reviewed by an independent editorial member or advisory board.

Complaints regarding ethical issues, conflicts of interest, or process irregularities should be submitted in writing and will be investigated confidentially and impartially.

7. Ethical Oversight and Updates

The journal regularly reviews its ethical policies and aligns its practices with emerging international standards. All stakeholders are encouraged to remain informed of current ethical principles and act accordingly.