New Resource: Editorial Policies: Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journals

In the last year, I have written about scientific misconduct a few times: High profile cases, response of the media, views from the world of bioethics, and the roles of publishers, journals, editors, and authors. I have also reported suspected misconduct and made successful (and unsuccessful) requests to Editorial Boards to adopt or revise their guidelines on author conduct.

The Council of Scientific Editors today announced the release of their own recommendations, in the form of a whitepaper for all of the scientific and publishing community. I am very pleased that this document is available to provide guidance and hope that everyone will take notice.

There is language specific to animal experimentation in the section where misconduct is defined:

"3.1.1 Mistreatment of Research Subjects

Researchers have an obligation to the subjects they study. These obligations apply whether the subjects are humans or animals and whether the entire organism is being studied or specimens are being taken. When research involves human subjects or their specimens, failure to adhere to the principles in the Declaration of Helsinki and to seek approval from and adhere to the ethical standards of the appropriate institutional or national committee on human experimentation is a serious form of scientific misconduct. For researchers who study animals, failure to follow institutional or national recommendations for the care and use of laboratory animals is also a type of research misconduct. [emphasis added]

The following are examples of actions that constitute mistreatment of research subjects:

• Failure to obtain approval from an ethical review board before starting the study.


• Absent or inadequate informed consent of human subjects.


• Maltreatment of laboratory animals.


• Exposure of subjects to physical or psychological harm without informing them of the potential for harm.


• Exposure of subjects (or the environment) to harm because research practices/protocols do not meet accepted and/or specified standards.


• Failure to maintain confidentiality of human data without specific consent from the subject.

[emphasis not in original]

For the full text, please see The Council of Science Editors (CSE) - Editorial Policies: Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journals: