Research Ethics Policy
Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital considers the protection of scientific integrity, research honesty, and ethical publishing practices a fundamental responsibility in Forbes Journal of Medicine. This policy outlines the institution’s framework regarding research involving human participants and animals, clinical studies, sensitive data, and ethical reporting standards.
Research Involving Human Participants
All research conducted with human participants must comply with international ethical standards, including the Declaration of Helsinki (2024). Accordingly:
• Ethics committee approval must be obtained before the study begins; the name of the committee, approval number, and approval date must be clearly presented in the Methods section.
• Written informed consent must be obtained from all participants, covering both participation and the publication of identifiable materials (e.g., photographs, case details).
• For participants under 18 years of age, consent must be obtained from parents or legal guardians.
• When involving vulnerable groups (e.g., psychiatric patients, incarcerated individuals, migrants), voluntary participation and ethical justification must be explicitly stated.
• Confidentiality and privacy must be protected throughout the research process; personally identifiable information may be published only with explicit permission and valid justification.
Animal Research
Research involving animals must be conducted in full compliance with ethical standards:
• Approval from an accredited animal ethics committee is mandatory and must be explicitly stated in the manu.
• The 3Rs Principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) must be observed.
• International guidelines must be followed, including the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the EU Directive 2010/63/EU.
• Reporting must follow ARRIVE guidelines, including detailed descriptions of experimental procedures, housing conditions, welfare measures, and statistical methodologies.
Clinical Trial Registration
To ensure transparency, all clinical trials must be registered in publicly accessible registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register) prior to commencement. Registration numbers should preferably be stated in the abstract. For retrospective registration, authors must provide a justified explanation. Clinical trials should follow CONSORT guidelines for reporting.
Inclusive and Neutral Language
All published work must use respectful, unbiased, and inclusive language. Authors are encouraged to follow careful terminology regarding gender, age, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, and other demographic characteristics. The SAGER guidelines are recommended as a key reference for sex and gender reporting.
Ethical Misconduct and Investigation
Cases involving plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, unethical methodology, or missing required approvals are evaluated according to COPE guidelines. When necessary:
• A manuscript may be rejected or retracted,
• The author(s)’ affiliated institution(s) may be notified,
• A correction, clarification, or notice of concern may be issued.
Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities
Editors and reviewers are responsible for critically assessing the ethical suitability of submitted studies. Authors may be asked to provide additional documentation or clarification when concerns arise. All evaluations are conducted with impartiality, confidentiality, and adherence to ethical publishing standards.
Compliance and Institutional Responsibility
Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital is committed to supporting a publication environment that respects human and animal rights and adheres to ethical principles. This policy constitutes the minimum mandatory standard for all research and publication activities conducted within Forbes Journal of Medicine.