conflict of Interest Policy

Global Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Technological Innovations (GJMSTI)

The Global Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Technological Innovations (GJMSTI) upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. To ensure the credibility, objectivity, and trustworthiness of the scholarly work we publish, all participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members—are required to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

 

  1. Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when a person’s objectivity or judgment regarding the integrity of research may be influenced by a secondary interest, such as financial gain, personal relationships, academic rivalry, or institutional affiliations. Conflicts can be:

  • Financial (e.g., funding, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patents, or royalties),
  • Personal or Professional (e.g., familial relationships, collaborations, mentorship, or rivalries),
  • Institutional or Political, and may be actual, perceived, or potential.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are required to:

  • Disclose all financial relationships or funding sources relevant to the research.
  • Identify any affiliations or personal relationships that could influence or be perceived to influence the work.
  • Declare any academic, institutional, or ideological rivalries.
  • Indicate the involvement of any third parties (e.g., sponsors, funders, or stakeholders) with vested interest in the research outcome.

All disclosures must be clearly stated in the manuscript under a section titled “Conflict of Interest Statement.” If no conflict exists, the following declaration must be included:

“The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.”

 

  1. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Decline review invitations if they have any personal, professional, or financial conflict of interest with the authors, affiliated institutions, or the subject matter.
  • Inform the editorial team of any potential bias or competing interest that might impair their impartial judgment.
  • Maintain confidentiality and avoid using unpublished information for personal or academic advantage.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editors and editorial board members must:

  • Refrain from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest may exist.
  • Ensure an unbiased and independent peer review process.
  • Disclose any personal, professional, or institutional conflicts related to a submission.
  • Maintain editorial integrity and confidentiality throughout the review and publication process.

 

  1. Management and Disclosure of Conflicts
  • All declared conflicts will be reviewed by the editorial team and considered during the manuscript evaluation process.
  • If necessary, a Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure will be published alongside the article to promote transparency.
  • In cases of undisclosed or undiscovered conflicts identified post-publication, GJMSTI reserves the right to issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern in accordance with publication ethics guidelines.

 

  1. Funding Disclosure

Authors must disclose all sources of financial support for the research, including the role of the funding agency in:

  • Study design,
  • Data collection and analysis,
  • Interpretation of results,
  • Manuscript preparation and decision to publish.

 

  1. Compliance and Ethical Standards

All contributors to GJMSTI are required to adhere to this policy. GJMSTI aligns its editorial practices with the ethical recommendations and standards set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other recognized global frameworks.