Research Ethics & Ethical Oversight Policy
International Journal For Research in Biology & Pharmacy (IJRBP)
Publisher: ARC Publishing Services L.L.C.
The International Journal For Research in Biology & Pharmacy (IJRBP) is committed to maintaining high standards of research ethics, participant protection, scientific integrity, and responsible research conduct. The journal expects authors to conduct and report research in accordance with applicable institutional, national, and international ethical standards.
IJRBP follows relevant recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) concerning research ethics, protection of research participants, informed consent, privacy, and ethical oversight, where applicable. For research involving human participants, IJRBP follows the ethical principles of the World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki, as revised in 2024, where applicable.
Ethical Approval
Research involving human participants, human biological materials, identifiable human data, or animals must receive appropriate ethical approval before the research is conducted, where required by applicable regulations or institutional requirements.
Authors must obtain approval from an appropriate independent ethics review body, such as an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Research Ethics Committee (REC), Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), or equivalent body.
Authors should provide the name of the approving ethics committee, approval/reference number where applicable, and relevant approval details in the manuscript.
IJRBP may request documentation of ethical approval during editorial assessment or peer review. Authors must be prepared to provide such documentation when requested by the editors.
Ethical approval by an institutional or regulatory body does not prevent the journal from assessing whether the reported research meets appropriate ethical and publication standards.
Human Participants & Declaration of Helsinki
Research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with recognized ethical principles for the protection of human rights, dignity, safety, privacy, and welfare.
Where applicable, authors should ensure that their research complies with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki, revised in 2024, as well as relevant institutional, national, and international requirements.
Research involving human participants should appropriately address:
- Voluntary participation.
- Informed consent.
- Assessment and minimization of potential risks.
- Protection of participant rights and welfare.
- Additional safeguards for vulnerable participants or populations.
- Appropriate scientific and ethical oversight.
Authors should provide an appropriate ethical statement in the manuscript for studies involving human participants.
Informed Consent, Privacy & Confidentiality
Appropriate informed consent must be obtained from human participants where required by the study, applicable regulations, or the approving ethics committee.
Participants should receive sufficient information about the research, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and relevant implications, to make an informed decision regarding participation.
Authors must protect the privacy and confidentiality of research participants. Personally identifiable information should not be included unless scientifically necessary and appropriately justified.
When a manuscript contains identifiable information, photographs, clinical details, or other material that could identify an individual, written consent for publication must be obtained where required.
Consent for participation in research is not necessarily equivalent to consent for publication of identifiable information. Authors are responsible for obtaining the appropriate consent for publication where applicable.
Human Biological Materials & Data
Research involving human biological materials, specimens, genetic material, or human data must comply with applicable ethical, legal, and institutional requirements.
Authors should ensure that:
- Appropriate ethical approval has been obtained where required.
- The source and use of biological materials or data are appropriately described.
- Required consent has been obtained.
- Participant privacy and confidentiality are protected.
- Collection, storage, transfer, and use of materials or data comply with applicable requirements.
Where identifiable human materials or data are used, appropriate safeguards must be in place to protect participants' rights and confidentiality.
Animal Research
Research involving animals must comply with applicable institutional, national, and international standards for the ethical treatment and welfare of laboratory animals.
Where required, authors must obtain approval from an appropriate animal ethics or welfare committee.
Manuscripts reporting animal research should provide relevant information regarding:
- Ethical approval or authorization.
- Applicable animal-care and welfare guidelines.
- Measures taken to minimize pain, suffering, and distress.
- Appropriate use and care of research animals.
Authors should use animals only when scientifically justified and should take appropriate measures to minimize unnecessary harm.
Clinical Trials & Registration
Where applicable, clinical trials should be registered in an appropriate publicly accessible trial registry in accordance with applicable requirements and recognized international standards.
The manuscript should include the trial registration number and registry name when registration is required.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that applicable trial registration and reporting requirements have been fulfilled.
Research Misconduct and Ethical Concerns
IJRBP does not tolerate research conducted in violation of applicable ethical standards.
Potential concerns may include:
- Research conducted without required ethical approval
- Lack of required informed consent
- Unethical treatment of research participants or animals
- Fabrication or falsification of research data
- Manipulation or inappropriate presentation of research results
- Misrepresentation of ethical approvals or research procedures
- Unauthorized use of human biological materials
- Other serious breaches of research integrity
Where concerns arise, the journal may request clarification or supporting documentation from the authors and may contact the relevant institution or ethics committee where appropriate.
Editorial Action
If significant ethical concerns are identified before publication, the journal may:
- Request additional information or documentation
- Require appropriate corrections
- Suspend editorial processing
- Reject the manuscript
- Refer the matter to the authors' institution or relevant authority
If serious ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal may consider appropriate post-publication action, including correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the circumstances.
Commitment to Ethical Research
International Journal For Research in Biology & Pharmacy (IJRBP) and ARC Publishing Services L.L.C. are committed to supporting responsible research practices and maintaining high standards of ethical oversight.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with all applicable ethical requirements before submission. The journal reserves the right to request evidence of ethical compliance when necessary to protect the integrity of the research and the publication process.
