SMER Publications applies a strict publication ethics. All studies involving human participants, animals, human-derived materials, or identifiable data must comply with applicable institutional, national, and international ethical regulations and must obtain formal ethics approval prior to study initiation.
Human Research Ethics
Research involving human participants, human tissues, biological materials, or identifiable personal data must comply with the principles of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and all relevant institutional and national regulations.
Ethics approval must be obtained from a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee prior to commencement of the study. The manuscript must include the name of the approving ethics committee and reference number where applicable.
The publisher reserves the right to request documentary evidence of ethics approval and to contact the authors’ institution at any stage of the editorial or post-publication process for verification.
Informed Consent
Written informed consent must be obtained from all participants prior to participation in the study. Where participants are minors, legally incapacitated, or otherwise unable to provide consent, informed consent must be obtained from a legally authorized representative in accordance with applicable regulations.
For studies involving identifiable human data or images, explicit consent for publication must be obtained where required.
A statement confirming informed consent must be included in the manuscript.
Vulnerable Populations
Research involving vulnerable populations, including but not limited to minors, individuals with cognitive or mental impairments, critically ill patients, or institutionalized individuals, must include additional ethical justification and safeguards.
Authors must clearly describe:
The justification for inclusion of vulnerable groups
Procedures for obtaining informed consent or assent
Measures taken to protect privacy, dignity, and rights of participants
Any additional oversight required by institutional ethics committees
Animal Research Ethics
All research involving animals must comply with internationally accepted standards for animal welfare, as well as relevant institutional and national regulations.
Ethics approval from an appropriate animal ethics committee must be obtained prior to the commencement of the study. Authors must confirm compliance within the manuscript, including the name of the approving committee where applicable.
Studies must follow the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). The publisher reserves the right to request supporting documentation or contact the authors’ institution for verification.
Compliance and Verification
SMER Publications reserves the right to reject manuscripts that fail to demonstrate adequate ethical approval or informed consent. In cases of suspected ethical misconduct, the publisher may initiate an investigation in accordance with COPE guidelines and may contact relevant institutions or regulatory bodies.
