Understanding Publication Ethics

Geraldine S. Pearson* 

>>> A recent survey of 524 editors of Wiley-Blackwell science journals (including nursing journals) asked about the severity and frequency of ethical issues, editor confidence in handling these, and awareness of COPE guidelines (Wager, Fiack, Graf, Robinson, & Rowlands, 2009). Nearly half of the queried editors responded to the survey and, interestingly, most believed that misconduct occurred only rarely in their journals. Are editors too trusting in their belief that submissions will be ethical and free of publication misconduct? Is there denial that this issue actually occurs or “never in my journal”? Is it easier to assume that journal submissions will be free of ethical issues? The answers to these questions are unclear. I can share that at the yearly International Academy of Nursing Editors meetings, the issue of ethics and quality in publications is frequently and passionately discussed by attendees. I also know how painful it is to deal with an ethical issue around a journal submission.>>>

*Pearson, G. S. (2010), Understanding Publication Ethics. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46: 253–254. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00276.x