Publication Ethics Statement

Scope of the statement

This statement applies to all submissions—original research, reviews, quality improvement studies, educational interventions, practice guidelines, case reports/series, and commentaries. Special attention is given to studies in clinical environments (e.g., hospitals, community health, long-term care) where ethical review, patient consent, and privacy protections are central to nursing practice.

Responsibilities of authors

Authorship and contributorship

• Authorship requires substantial contributions to conception/design, acquisition/analysis/interpretation, drafting or critical revision, final approval, and accountability for integrity.
• Specify each author’s roles (e.g., conceptualization, methodology, investigation, writing, supervision, funding acquisition).
• Acknowledge non-author contributors (e.g., clinical staff, statisticians) with permission.
• Report any changes in authorship (addition/removal/reordering) with a signed statement from all authors explaining the reason.

Conflicts of interest and funding

• Disclose financial and non-financial interests that could influence the work (e.g., employment, consultancies, grants, equipment loans, advocacy roles).
• Name funders and award numbers and describe funder roles in study design, data collection, analysis, publication decisions, and manuscript preparation.

Data, materials, and software

• Provide a Data Availability Statement; when possible, deposit de-identified datasets, instruments (e.g., nursing assessment tools), and code in reputable repositories.
• Retain raw data and original images securely for audit or editorial checks when requested, consistent with patient privacy and institutional policy.

Responsibilities of reviewers

• Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback focused on nursing and clinical relevance, ethical soundness, and methodological rigor.
• Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts and not use privileged information for personal advantage or competing research.
• Declare conflicts of interest (e.g., close collaboration, rivalry, or financial stakes) and recuse if necessary.
• Alert editors discreetly to suspected ethical issues (plagiarism, data duplication, undisclosed approvals/consent).
• Respect cultural considerations and patient-centered language, especially in sensitive areas (e.g., mental health, pediatrics, elder care, end-of-life care).

Responsibilities of editors

• Assess submissions impartially with attention to nursing practice significance, methodological soundness, and ethical compliance.
• Ensure fair, transparent peer review while protecting reviewer confidentiality and author rights.
• Manage conflicts of interest by reassigning manuscripts or seeking independent oversight.
• Take proportionate action on ethical concerns, including requesting clarifications, securing raw data, or consulting institutions.
• Protect patients, communities, and staff from harm by prioritizing corrections or notices when needed.

Conflicts of interest

Transparent disclosure protects reader trust. Authors, reviewers, and editors must declare relationships that might bias judgment. Editors may require additional statements or independent statistical or ethical review in complex cases. Where conflicts are unavoidable (e.g., narrow specialty areas), we apply safeguards to ensure balanced decisions.

Human participants, animals, and community engagement

Peer review and editorial decision-making

CJNCP uses external peer review for research articles and appropriate internal review for other formats. Authors may suggest qualified reviewers and list exclusions with justification. Editors evaluate reviewer expertise and potential biases before assignment. Decisions (accept, revise, reject) are based on the manuscript’s nursing relevance, methodological quality, and ethical compliance.

Data integrity, images, and prior dissemination

• State software and versions; document protocols and parameter settings for devices common in nursing practice (e.g., infusion pumps, monitors, EHR extracts).
• Do not manipulate images or charts in a way that misleads; disclose uniform adjustments and retain source files.
• Preprints are welcome; disclose server and DOI and update the record after publication.
• Disclose related submissions, conference abstracts, or theses to avoid duplication and ensure appropriate citation and credit.

Handling concerns and allegations

Where readers could be misled while evaluation is ongoing, CJNCP may post an Expression of Concern to protect the community.

Corrections, retractions, and replacements

CJNCP maintains the scholarly record by issuing notices that are free to read and linked to the affected article. Corrections address honest errors that do not invalidate findings. Retractions are reserved for unreliable results or ethical breaches (e.g., fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, unapproved human research). Replacement may be used when an article must be retracted but a verified corrected version is available. All notices state the reason and responsible party (author/editor/institution) and appear on both HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Sanctions and learning

In cases of confirmed misconduct, CJNCP may notify institutions and funders, decline future submissions for a period, or require additional oversight for subsequent manuscripts. Our aim is not punitive for its own sake, but protective and educational—we encourage remedial training (e.g., research ethics, data stewardship) and transparent correction of the record.

Appeals, complaints, and whistleblowing

• Appeals: Authors may appeal decisions by providing a concise, evidence-based rationale addressing reviewer/editor concerns. Appeals are reviewed by an editor not involved in the original decision.
• Complaints: Concerns about process, timelines, or conduct should be sent to the editorial office; CJNCP logs and tracks complaints to resolution.
• Whistleblowing: We treat good-faith reports seriously and protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers within the limits of due process and law.

Open access, licensing, and repositories

CJNCP is open access. Authors retain key rights to share accepted manuscripts and the version of record in line with our repository policy and license. Clearly cite the DOI and license in deposits and communications. When record updates occur (e.g., correction, retraction), authors should update repository records accordingly to prevent outdated versions from circulating without context.

Education and continual improvement

Ethical publishing is a community endeavor. We regularly review and refine this statement, provide guidance for reviewers and editors, and support authors with clear checklists and templates (e.g., consent forms, reporting checklists). We welcome feedback from nurses, allied health professionals, educators, and patients to improve our policies and their real-world relevance.

Contact

Questions about this Publication Ethics Statement can be directed to the editorial office via the journal’s official contact page. Please include the manuscript ID (if applicable), article title, and a brief description of your inquiry. For time-sensitive ethical concerns, mark your subject line accordingly so we can prioritize a response.