Disclosure Conflict of Interest

In the production of scientific publications, conflict of interest may arise during writing, peer review, and editorial decision making. Conflict of interest exists when an author (or the author's institution), reviewer, or editor has financial or personal relationships that inappropriately influence (bias) his or her actions (such relationships are also known as dual commitments, competing interests, or competing loyalties). These relationships vary from those with negligible potential to those with great potential to influence judgment, and not all relationships represent true conflict of interest. The potential for conflict of interest can exist whether or not an individual believes that the relationship affects his or her scientific judgment. Financial relationships (such as employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony) are the most easily identifiable conflicts of interest and the most likely to undermine the credibility of the journal, the authors, and of science itself. However, conflicts can occur for other reasons, such as personal relationships, academic competition, and intellectual passion.

It is expected that all actors of Ann Dent UM (i.e., authors, editors, reviewers, any other member of the Editorial team) will act without having any conflict of interest or by declaring the conflict of interest, if there is any. Authors are encouraged to use guidelines/forms on the potential disclosure of conflict of interest provided by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICJME).