Publication Ethics

The International Journal of Sexual Health, Fertility and Reproductive Medicine is committed to maintaining high standards of research integrity, transparency, academic responsibility, and ethical scholarly publishing. All authors, reviewers, editors, and other participants in the publication process are expected to follow appropriate ethical standards.

1. Originality and Research Integrity

Authors must submit original research and ensure that the manuscript has not been published previously or submitted simultaneously to another journal.

Research findings must be reported honestly and accurately. Fabrication, falsification, manipulation of data, and misleading presentation of results are unacceptable.

2. Plagiarism

Authors must properly acknowledge the work and ideas of other researchers. Plagiarism, including substantial copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, and unauthorized use of published material, is not acceptable.

Manuscripts may be checked for originality during the editorial process.

3. Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the research and manuscript.

All listed authors should:

  • Contribute appropriately to the work.

  • Approve the submitted manuscript.

  • Approve the final version before publication.

  • Accept responsibility for their contributions.

Individuals who do not meet authorship requirements should not be listed as authors.

4. Duplicate and Simultaneous Submission

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals at the same time. Previously published material should not be republished as original research unless there is an appropriate scholarly justification and disclosure.

5. Research Ethics

Research involving human participants, patients, animals, clinical materials, reproductive tissues, embryos, genetic materials, biological samples, sexual health information, fertility-related interventions, or other ethically sensitive subjects must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

Where applicable, authors should provide information regarding ethical approval, informed consent, participant privacy and confidentiality, animal welfare, clinical trial registration, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Research involving sensitive sexual and reproductive health information should be conducted with particular attention to participant dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and responsible handling of personal information.

6. Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors should disclose any financial, professional, personal, or other interests that could influence the research or publication process.

Potential conflicts should be managed transparently to protect the integrity of editorial and peer-review decisions.

7. Peer-Review Ethics

Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, confidentially, and constructively. Reviewers must not use unpublished information obtained during peer review for personal or professional advantage.

Reviewers should decline assignments when a significant conflict of interest exists.

8. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for handling manuscripts fairly and objectively. Editorial decisions should be based primarily on the scientific quality, originality, relevance, and integrity of the submitted work.

Editors should protect the confidentiality of manuscripts and address potential ethical concerns appropriately, particularly when manuscripts contain sensitive clinical, sexual health, fertility, reproductive, or patient information.

9. Data and Research Materials

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research data, clinical information, experimental procedures, reproductive health assessments, analytical results, and supporting materials are accurate and appropriately documented.

Where applicable, authors should provide information about data availability while respecting ethical, legal, privacy, and confidentiality requirements.

10. Artificial Intelligence

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of manuscripts prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools.

AI tools should not be presented as authors. Where substantive use of AI has contributed to manuscript preparation, authors should provide appropriate disclosure in accordance with the journal's requirements.

AI tools must not be used in a manner that compromises patient confidentiality, research participant privacy, scientific integrity, or the accuracy of clinical and research information.

11. Corrections and Retractions

If significant errors or research-integrity concerns are identified after publication, the journal may take appropriate corrective action, including publication of a correction, expression of concern, or retraction when necessary.

12. Misconduct

Concerns regarding plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, unethical research, manipulation of clinical or research results, inappropriate handling of sensitive participant information, or other forms of misconduct may be investigated by the editorial team.

Appropriate action will be considered based on the nature and seriousness of the concern and the available evidence.