Inter-Research strives to avoid both real and perceived COIs that may affect the integrity of the scientific review process. Anyone with close personal, financial, economic, institutional and/or collaborationist ties to the authors should therefore not be actively involved in the review process, as their judgement may be biased because of these ties.

If there are doubts whether a certain relationship with the authors constitutes a COI, the journal’s Editorial Office should be contacted prior to accepting a role (e.g. as reviewer or handling editor) or as soon as the relationship is noticed.

Should someone with a real or perceived COI inadvertently become involved with a manuscript’s review, the Editorial Office will take steps to rectify the situation and ensure a fair and unbiased review process.