Conflicts of Interests and Commitments?

The Journal of Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (JOHSK) adopts the “Conflicts of Interests and Commitments” policy established by the American Psychological Association (APA). For full details, please refer to the APA guidelines at http://www.apa.org/research/responsible/conflicts.

Descriptions and definitions for “Conflicts of Interests and Commitments” are as follows:​

“Researchers are often faced with competing demands on time, effort, and responsibilities. A conflict of interests occurs when a researcher has to contend with two or more competing concerns, such as honestly reporting research results versus making a profit, achieving publication or retaining outside funding. A conflict of commitments occurs when a researcher engages in competing obligations, such as collaboration on another project, preparing a new grant application, teaching or peer review.

Conflicts of interests or commitments are not inherently negative; rather, the way in which the conflict is handled makes the difference. Researchers are encouraged to be honest about any interest that may cause potential conflicts and to inform others so that a disinterested entity can monitor progress to verify continued researcher objectivity. Researchers should also schedule their time judiciously and accept additional responsibilities only when they are certain that they will be able to honor all commitments” (Adopted by the American Psychological Association: APA).

All submitted manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism using http://www.plagiarismchecker.com


Research Ethics: Principles and Common Ethical Violations

Research ethics refers to the moral principles and professional standards that guide the planning, conduct, reporting, and dissemination of scholarly work. Ethical research ensures integrity, credibility, accountability, and respect for participants, collaborators, institutions, and the broader academic community. Adherence to research ethics is essential for maintaining public trust in science and scholarship.

Core Principles of Research Ethics
At its foundation, ethical research is guided by principles such as honesty, transparency, objectivity, respect, and responsibility. Researchers are expected to report findings truthfully, acknowledge limitations, avoid bias, and give proper credit to others’ contributions. Ethical standards also require researchers to protect human participants, ensure informed consent, maintain confidentiality, and minimize potential harm.

Common Ethical Violations in Research
Despite established guidelines, several ethical violations continue to challenge academic integrity.

Plagiarism is one of the most serious breaches of research ethics. It involves presenting another person’s ideas, words, data, or creative work as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. Plagiarism can occur intentionally or unintentionally and includes direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, and self-plagiarism (reusing one’s previously published work without disclosure).

Pirate authorship, also referred to as gift, guest, or honorary authorship, occurs when individuals are listed as authors without having made a substantial scholarly contribution to the work. Conversely, ghost authorship involves excluding individuals who made significant contributions. Both practices misrepresent intellectual ownership and violate authorship guidelines set by organizations such as the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Data fabrication and falsification involve inventing data or manipulating research results to misrepresent findings. These practices undermine scientific validity and can lead to harmful real-world consequences, particularly in health, education, and policy-related research.

Duplicate submission and redundant publication occur when the same or substantially similar manuscript is submitted to multiple journals simultaneously or published more than once without disclosure. This practice wastes editorial and reviewer resources and distorts the scholarly record.

Conflicts of interest arise when personal, financial, or professional relationships influence—or appear to influence—research design, data interpretation, or reporting. Ethical research requires full disclosure of any potential conflicts so that readers can evaluate the objectivity of the work.


Ethical Responsibility of Researchers
Researchers have an ethical obligation to follow institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee requirements, comply with journal policies, and uphold professional codes of conduct. Ethical responsibility extends beyond individual researchers to co-authors, reviewers, editors, and institutions, all of whom play a role in safeguarding research integrity.


Conclusion
Ethical research practices are fundamental to advancing knowledge and sustaining trust in academic and professional communities. By understanding and avoiding unethical behaviors such as plagiarism, pirate authorship, data manipulation, and undisclosed conflicts of interest, researchers contribute to a culture of integrity, fairness, and scholarly excellence. Upholding research ethics is not only a professional obligation but also a shared responsibility essential to the credibility and impact of research worldwide.