Publication Ethics Statement

The Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. This statement outlines the ethical principles guiding the editorial process, authorship, peer review, and publication at APB in accordance with international frameworks such as COPE, ICMJE, and WAME.

Upholding ethical responsibility ensures that every published article reflects honesty, accountability, and respect for scientific integrity.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for making unbiased, evidence-based decisions regarding submitted manuscripts. They are committed to maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring fair peer-review practices.

  • Decisions are based solely on academic merit, originality, and scientific contribution.
  • Manuscripts are evaluated without discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnicity, or institutional affiliation.
  • Editors ensure timely processing and communication of editorial decisions.

2. Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors must ensure that all submissions represent original work and that data are presented accurately without fabrication or manipulation. Proper acknowledgment of all sources and contributors is mandatory.

  • All co-authors must have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript preparation.
  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest or funding sources that could influence results.
  • Plagiarism, data falsification, and duplicate publication are strictly prohibited.

Ethical approval and informed consent statements must accompany research involving human or animal subjects.

3. Peer Review Ethics

The peer-review process is central to ensuring quality and integrity. Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, maintain confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.

  • Reviewers must provide constructive feedback supported by clear evidence.
  • Personal criticism of authors is unacceptable.
  • Confidential data from submitted manuscripts must not be used for personal advantage.

4. Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher, Heighten Sciences Publication Incorporation (HSPIOA), supports editorial independence and ensures that the journal’s policies align with global ethical standards. The publisher also safeguards intellectual property rights and promotes compliance with open-access, licensing, and data-sharing guidelines.

5. Ethical Oversight of Research

APB ensures that published research complies with institutional, national, and international ethical standards. For biomedical studies:

  • Authors must include the name of the ethics committee and approval number (if applicable).
  • Animal studies must adhere to recognized ethical guidelines (e.g., ARRIVE).
  • Informed consent must be obtained from all human participants.

6. Handling Misconduct

The journal has established clear procedures for addressing ethical misconduct, guided by COPE’s Flowcharts for Handling Misconduct. When ethical issues are reported, the editorial board investigates transparently and may:

  • Request clarifications or supporting data from authors.
  • Publish corrections or expressions of concern.
  • Retract articles proven to involve misconduct or unethical behavior.

7. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that might bias their work. Full disclosure enables transparency and maintains trust in the publication process.

Examples of Conflicts of Interest:
  • Employment or consultancy with organizations benefiting from the research.
  • Ownership of stocks or shares related to the subject matter.
  • Personal relationships or competitive interests affecting objectivity.

8. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

The journal corrects genuine errors, retracts proven misconduct, and issues expressions of concern where investigations are ongoing. All corrections and retractions remain permanently linked to the original publication for transparency.

9. Data Availability and Reproducibility

Authors are encouraged to deposit datasets, code, and supplementary materials in open repositories such as Zenodo, Dryad, or ProteomeXchange. Data transparency enhances reproducibility and accountability in proteomics and bioinformatics research.

10. Intellectual Property and Licensing

APB operates under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. Authors retain copyright, allowing reuse, adaptation, and distribution of their work with proper attribution.

11. Complaints and Appeals

Authors or readers may raise concerns about editorial decisions, reviewer behavior, or ethical breaches. Complaints are reviewed independently and confidentially to ensure due process and fair resolution.

12. Ethical Compliance Statement

Authors submitting manuscripts to APB must affirm that:

  • The work is original and free of plagiarism.
  • All data are accurate, verifiable, and not manipulated.
  • All co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript.
  • The manuscript is not under review elsewhere.

13. Oversight and Policy Review

The editorial board periodically reviews and updates ethical policies to reflect evolving standards and recommendations by COPE, ICMJE, and other regulatory bodies.

14. Contact Information

For concerns or clarifications regarding this statement, please contact:

© 2025 Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) · Heighten Sciences Publication Incorporation

Source Reference: COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Recommendations, and WAME Editorial Ethics Guidelines.