The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (IJCEO) upholds the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. Authors submitting manuscripts must adhere to internationally recognized principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the ICMJE, and other scholarly bodies. This policy outlines the ethical obligations authors must follow to ensure research integrity and maintain trust in the scientific record.

Authorship Responsibilities

• Only individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study should be listed as authors.
• All listed authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.
• Gift, guest, or ghost authorship is strictly prohibited.
• Contributors not qualifying for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure their work is entirely original. Proper acknowledgment of others’ work is required, and plagiarism—including self-plagiarism—is unacceptable. IJCEO employs plagiarism detection tools to screen all submissions.

Data Integrity

• Data must be accurate, complete, and honestly reported.
• Fabrication, falsification, or selective omission of data is unethical and will result in rejection or retraction.
• Raw data should be retained and made available for verification upon request.

Multiple or Concurrent Submissions

Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal. Duplicate submission and redundant publication violate ethical norms.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence their research. A clear Conflict of Interest Statement should be included in the manuscript.

Human and Animal Research Ethics

• Research involving human participants requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and informed consent.
• Animal studies must comply with institutional and international ethical guidelines for humane treatment.
• Clinical trials should be registered in recognized registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov).

Corrections and Retractions

Authors are obligated to notify the journal immediately if significant errors are discovered in their published work. Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued as appropriate to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.

Open Data and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to deposit datasets, software, and supplementary materials in public repositories. A Data Availability Statement is required in each manuscript.

Sanctions for Breach

Violations of these standards may result in rejection, retraction, or blacklisting of authors. Serious misconduct may be reported to authors’ institutions or funding bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reuse figures from my previous publications?

Yes, provided you hold copyright or have obtained explicit permission, and proper attribution is included.

What if I discover an error in my article after publication?

You should contact the editorial office immediately. IJCEO will issue a correction or retraction if necessary.

Are students allowed to be corresponding authors?

Yes, but they must take full responsibility for communication and ethical compliance.