EDITORIAL-POLICIES
PANACEA
ISSN (P): --------, (E): ------
EDITORIAL POLICIES
PANACEA at RLKU Medical & Dental College
Promoting Rigor, Transparency, and Integrity in Scientific Research
Introduction
The RLKU Research Journal: PANACEA is an esteemed platform dedicated to advancing evidence-based knowledge in medicine, dentistry, and related disciplines. Our editorial policies are designed to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, ethical research, and transparent communication. These guidelines ensure that all submissions reflect the principles of excellence, accountability, and innovation that define PANACEA. We invite researchers, clinicians, and scholars to contribute to this mission by adhering to the following policies.
1. Authorship Criteria
1.1. Ethical Foundation
Authorship is reserved for individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research. PANACEA follows the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency in authorship credit.
1.2. Roles and Responsibilities
All listed authors must meet all of the following criteria:
ü Conception/Design of the Work: Substantial involvement in planning, executing, or interpreting the research.
ü Data Acquisition, Analysis, or Interpretation: Direct participation in key stages of the research process.
ü Drafting or Revising the Manuscript: A critical role in writing or critically revising the intellectual content.
ü Approval of the Final Version: Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
1.3. Order of Authorship
The sequence of authors should reflect their relative contributions, as determined by consensus among contributors. Any disputes must be resolved prior to manuscript submission.
1.4. Corresponding Author
ü The corresponding author acts as the primary liaison with PANACEA and is responsible for:
ü Ensuring all authors' permissions are obtained for submission.
ü Maintaining accurate contact information throughout the publication process.
ü Providing documentation (e.g., ethical approval, consent forms) if required.
1.5. Post-Submission Changes
Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission will be considered only if the entire author list agrees in writing and a compelling justification is provided.
2. Authors’ Address and Affiliation
2.1. Affiliation Guidelines
Affiliations must reflect the institution(s) where the work was conducted. Authors who have left the institution should retain the original affiliation but may append their current position with "Present Address."
2.2. Contact Information
Each manuscript must include:
Full mailing address, email, and institutional website for all authors.
The corresponding author’s complete contact details, including phone number and postal address.
2.3. Updates During Review
Changes to an author’s affiliation or contact information during the peer-review process must be communicated in writing to the editorial office within 24 hours of the change.
3. Plagiarism, AI Detection, and Originality
3.1. Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the unoriginal use of any content (text, data, images) without proper attribution, including:
ü Copying sentences or phrases without quotation marks or citation.
ü Paraphrasing ideas without credit to the original source.
ü Self-plagiarism (reusing significant proportions of an author’s previously published work).
3.2. AI and Generative Tools
ü Disclosure Requirement: Authors must declare any use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly) in manuscript preparation.
ü Acceptable Use: AI may be used for drafting, language editing, or formatting but never to substitute original research or analysis.
ü Prohibited Use: Data fabrication, falsification, or AI-generated synthesis of results is strictly forbidden.
3.3. Similarity Index Policy
All manuscripts will be screened via Turnitin and iThenticate. Submissions exceeding 15% similarity index (excluding common methodology or cited works) may be rejected.
3.4. Penalties for Plagiarism
ü First offense: Rejection of the manuscript.
ü Subsequent violations: A 5-year ban from submitting to PANACEA, with notification to relevant institutions.
4. Ethical Approval Guidelines
4.1. Human and Animal Research
Studies involving humans must include documentation of ethics committee approval, informed consent, and compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
4.2. Required Documentation
ü Manuscripts must include:
ü Approval number and name of the ethics committee.
ü A statement confirming informed consent (for human participants).
ü Anonymized data to protect participant privacy.
4.3. Exempt Research
If the study does not involve human or animal subjects, authors must explicitly state: "This research does not involve human or animal participants and is exempt from ethical review."
4.4. Data Fabrication and Falsification
ü PANACEA follows the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines for handling suspected misconduct. Allegations of fraud will trigger:
ü Investigation by the editorial board.
ü Possible retraction of published work with public notification.
5. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
5.1. What Constitutes a Conflict
Conflicts of interest include financial, personal, or organizational relationships that might bias an author’s work. Examples:
ü Funding from industry sponsors.
ü Employment ties to institutions with vested interests in the findings.
ü Consultancies, stock ownership, or patents related to the research.
5.2. Disclosure Process
ü Authors must complete a signed Conflict of Interest Form at submission, detailing all relevant relationships within the last 3 years.
ü Statements should appear as a separate paragraph in the manuscript under the heading: "Funding and Potential Conflicts of Interest."
ü Authors with no conflicts must explicitly state: "The authors declare no competing interests."
5.3. Editorial Handling
ü Editors with conflicts will recuse themselves from the review process.
ü Conflicts identified post-publication will prompt a public correction or retraction.
Conclusion
The RLKU Research Journal: PANACEA is committed to fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and community engagement through rigorous scholarship. These editorial policies ensure that every published work meets the highest standards of integrity, relevance, and ethical responsibility. By adhering to this framework, authors contribute to advancing healthcare knowledge and inspiring future generations of medical and dental professionals.
For questions or clarifications, please contact the Chief Editor at panacea@rlkumc.edu.pk
Word Count: ~1,200 words (3–4 pages in 12pt font, double-spaced).
This document balances clarity and professionalism, aligning with academic standards while emphasizing PANACEA’s commitment to excellence. Each section includes actionable guidelines, ethical references, and clear definitions to guide authors effectively.
Principal Contact; panacea@rlkumc.edu.pk
