Committee on Publication Ethics

Committee on Publication Ethics
source
Name	Committee on Publication Ethics
Founded	0 1997
Focus	Research integrity, Academic publishing, Peer review
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Key people	Irene Hames, Deborah Poff
Website	https://publicationethics.org/

Committee on Publication Ethics. It is an international advisory organization dedicated to promoting integrity in Scholarly communication and Academic journal publishing. Founded in 1997 by a small group of Medical editors, it has grown into a globally influential body with thousands of member institutions. The organization provides a forum for discussion, develops resources and Best practice guidelines, and offers support for handling Research misconduct cases.

History and establishment

The organization was established in 1997 following a conference in London organized by the current editor of the BMJ. The founding group, which included editors from prominent journals like The Lancet and the Journal of the American Medical Association, recognized a lack of consistent guidance for handling ethical dilemmas in publishing. Early impetus came from high-profile cases of Scientific fraud and growing concerns over Duplicate publication and Plagiarism. Its formation was a direct response to the need for a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to ethics beyond the scope of individual publishers like Elsevier or Springer Nature.

Core principles and guidelines

The organization's work is underpinned by its foundational Code of Conduct and best practice guidelines for Journal editors and Publishers. These documents address core ethical challenges including Authorship disputes, management of Conflict of interest, and procedures for handling Data fabrication and Falsification. Key guidance also covers the ethics of Peer review, the responsibilities of Editors-in-Chief, and standards for Retraction of published articles. The principles are designed to complement the policies of major bodies like the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.

Member organizations and governance

Membership is open to Academic publishers, Learned societies, and Research institutes worldwide, with prominent members including Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Governance is provided by an elected Board of trustees, which includes experienced editors and ethicists. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive team, with past leadership including figures like Irene Hames. The organization is a registered charity in the United Kingdom and operates through a secretariat based in Oxford.

Key activities and services

A primary activity is operating a confidential Advice line for editors and publishers facing complex ethical cases, ranging from suspected Image manipulation to Undisclosed conflicts of interest. It runs regular Seminars, Webinars, and an annual conference, often in locations like Singapore or Boston. The organization also produces extensive e-learning resources, case studies, and Translations of its guidelines into languages including Japanese and Spanish. It frequently collaborates with groups like the World Association of Medical Editors and the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors.

Impact and recognition

The organization has significantly shaped global publishing standards, with its codes adopted by thousands of journals indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science. Its guidelines are frequently cited by institutions like the EQUATOR Network and inform the policies of major funders including the Wellcome Trust. The organization's work has influenced the practices of entities ranging from the National Library of Medicine to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is widely recognized as the leading authority on publication ethics, contributing to a more transparent and accountable research ecosystem.

Category:Academic publishing organizations Category:Research ethics Category:Organizations established in 1997