Ethics Statement

Biology & Molecular Medicine adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and follows a zero-tolerance policy on ethical misconduct, including plagiarism, data falsification, image manipulation, and inappropriate authorship credit.

Ethics Requirements for Submission

Authors must meet the following ethics criteria when submitting a manuscript:

  • Plagiarism—including reuse of text, ideas, images, or data (even from the author’s own publications) without proper attribution—is strictly prohibited.
    • All submissions are checked using iThenticate.
  • Data fabrication or image manipulation is unacceptable.
  • Any conflict of interest must be transparently disclosed.
  • Present findings accurately and objectively, including significance and limitations.
  • Provide sufficient methodological detail for replication.
  • Ensure raw data are available upon editorial or peer reviewer request—or ideally, deposited in a public repository before submission.
  • Do not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
  • Promptly notify editors if errors or inaccuracies are discovered post-publication.
  • Previously published figures/images must have written permission from the copyright holder.

Misconduct Investigation and Actions

The Editorial Team investigates all allegations of misconduct. When necessary, we may contact authors' institutions or funders. If misconduct is confirmed, actions may include:

  • Correction
  • Retraction
  • Permanent article withdrawal (for accepted but unpublished work)

Questionable Citation Practices

Authors must not:

  • Engage in excessive self-citation
  • Cite works they have not read
  • Preferentially cite friends, colleagues, or institutional publications
  • Cite advertisements or advertorials

Preprints and Conference Papers

  • Preprints that have not undergone peer review are eligible for consideration.
  • Expanded conference papers are eligible if:
    • The original conference paper is cited
    • Copyright permission is obtained (if required)
    • The cover letter outlines the major differences from the original version

Resource Identification

If your work uses biological resources (e.g., antibodies, cell lines, model organisms), include unique identifiers from the Resource Identification Initiative where possible.

Reader Concerns About Published Articles

We welcome reader feedback regarding ethical or factual concerns in published articles. The Editorial Board will:

  • Review all submitted concerns
  • Investigate when appropriate
  • Issue corrections or retractions as necessary

Withdrawals

Accepted but unpublished articles may be withdrawn if issues such as:

  • Image manipulation
  • Plagiarism
  • Incorrect ethics approvals
  • Incomplete methods or missing references

are identified. Articles under investigation may carry an Expression of Concern until resolved.

Corrections

Corrections may be issued for:

  • Incorrect author names or affiliations
  • Image or data errors
  • Methodological inaccuracies
  • Missing references or funding disclosures

Corrections are published as separate items to maintain a transparent scholarly record.

In rare cases, removal of content may occur (e.g., IP infringement, defamation, or privacy breaches).

Retractions

Retractions follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines. Retractions may be issued for:

  • Serious ethical breaches
  • Unreliable or fraudulent data
  • Unresolved authorship disputes

Complaints and Appeals

Authors may contact the Editorial Office to:

  • Lodge a complaint (e.g., about peer reviewer conduct)
  • Appeal editorial decisions (e.g., rejection or retraction)

Complaints and appeals are handled in accordance with COPE guidelines: COPE Appeals Policy

Editors will use discretion in whether to reconsider a rejected manuscript.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusiveness

We welcome submissions that aim to:

  • Address systemic disparities in healthcare
  • Improve care for historically marginalized communities, including:
    • People of color
    • Women
    • LGBTQ+ individuals

Authors are encouraged to use inclusive, patient-centric language. Refer to:

  • National Association of Community Health Centers: Person-Centric Language Guide
  • CSE Guidelines on Inclusive Language in Medical Journals