Research Ethics Policy

SALT JSRH is deeply committed to publishing research that is not only scientifically sound but also ethically conducted. We believe that rigorous ethical standards are essential for ensuring the validity, reliability, and ultimately, the positive impact of healthcare research.

• Respect for human dignity: We require strict adherence to ethical principles outlined in international guidelines like the ICMJE Recommendations. This includes informed consent, participant protection, and minimizing potential risks.
• Transparency and accountability: We expect authors to disclose all potential conflicts of interest, funding sources, and data management procedures. We also promote responsible research authorship and crediting practices.
• Animal welfare: We require adherence to ethical guidelines for animal research, ensuring minimal pain, distress, and suffering, and maximizing scientific benefit.
• Data integrity and reporting: We expect accurate and complete reporting of research methods, results, and discussions. Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism are strictly prohibited.
• Responsible research dissemination: We support open access but emphasize ethical reuse and sharing of research data and materials, respecting intellectual property and data privacy. 

Author declarations: All authors must submit signed declarations confirming ethical conduct, approvals, and conflict of interest disclosures.

• Reviewer training: We educate reviewers to identify and address potential ethical issues in the research they evaluate.
• Editorial vigilance: Our editors carefully assess manuscripts for ethical considerations and may request additional information or clarifications from authors.
• Misconduct reporting: We have established procedures for handling allegations of research misconduct, ensuring fair and comprehensive investigations while protecting whistle-blowers.

Collaboration and Advocacy:· We actively engage with the research community to promote ethical research practices and address emerging challenges.· We participate in initiatives to improve research governance, reporting standards, and responsible data sharing policies.· We support open access platforms that uphold ethical principles and promote trustworthy research dissemination. 

SALT JSRH's commitment to research ethics extends beyond the published article:

• We encourage open discussions about ethical dilemmas faced by researchers and provide guidance on navigating complex situations.
• We promote responsible research communication, ensuring clear and accurate representation of findings and potential limitations.
• We advocate for policies and regulations that support ethical research practices and safeguard human and animal welfare. 

By prioritizing research ethics, SALT JSRH aims to:

• Foster public trust in healthcare research and its potential to improve lives.· Attract and publish high-quality research that adheres to the highest ethical standards.
• Contribute to a culture of integrity and accountability within the research community.

We invite researchers to partner with SALT JSRH in publishing impactful research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also ethically responsible. Together, let's build a future of healthcare research that benefits all, guided by strong ethical principles and a shared commitment to doing the right thing. If you have any questions about our research ethics policy, procedures, or how we handle ethical concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are always open to dialogue and feedback, as we continuously strive to improve our practices and uphold the highest ethical standards in healthcare research. 

• We strictly adhere to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and other relevant international guidelines, including informed consent, participant protection, and data privacy.
• We require approval from an accredited Institutional Review Board (IRB) for all human research studies published in SALT JSRH. This ensures independent ethical review and minimizes risks to participants.
• We encourage authors to use reporting guidelines like CONSORT or SPIRIT to ensure clarity and transparency in research reporting, particularly regarding trial design, methodology, and participant outcomes.
• We remain vigilant about potential ethical issues like vulnerable populations, coercion, and data exploitation. Our editors and reviewers are trained to identify and address such concerns promptly.

• SALT JSRH upholds the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) in animal research. We require authors to justify the use of animals and demonstrate how they have minimized pain, distress, and suffering.
• We only publish research conducted in accordance with relevant national guidelines and approved by institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs).
• We encourage transparent reporting of animal research methods, including species, housing conditions, procedures, and pain management strategies, following guidelines like ARRIVE.
• We actively engage in discussions about ethical alternatives to animal research and promote the development and use of validated in vitro and computational models. 

• While not as extensively regulated as human or animal research, plant research also raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and potential environmental impact.
• We require authors to disclose the source of plant materials, including any GMOs used, and to adhere to relevant biosafety regulations.
• We encourage responsible research practices that minimize ecological harm and promote sustainable plant research for the benefit of agriculture, medicine, and environmental conservation.
• We welcome discussions about emerging ethical challenges in plant research and remain open to adapting our policies as needed to address new developments and ensure responsible conduct. 

We believe that ethical considerations are integral to all research, regardless of the subject. By implementing specific procedures and fostering open communication, 

we aim to:

• Publish high-quality research that is ethically sound and contributes to advancing knowledge without compromising human, animal, or environmental well-being.
• Provide clear guidance and support to researchers navigating complex ethical challenges in their respective fields.
• Promote a culture of ethical responsibility and accountability within the research community.
• Contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all through responsible research practices.

We encourage researchers to carefully review our specific policies and guidelines for human, animal, and plant research available on our website. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to support your research journey and ensure it adheres to the highest ethical standards in each domain.

• Declaration of Helsinki
• US Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects 
• European Medicines Agency Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice