Competing Interest Policy

Shivaanya Publications is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. As part of our dedication to promoting trust and credibility in the research we publish, we have established a comprehensive competing interest policy in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This policy aims to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are identified, disclosed transparently, and appropriately managed throughout the publishing process.

Definition of competing interests

Conflicts of interest (CoI) or competing interests (CI) occur when individuals involved in the publication process have personal, financial, or professional relationships or affiliations that may influence their objectivity, impartiality, or decision-making. These relationships or affiliations may include, but are not limited to,

• Financial interests, such as ownership of stock or equity in a company that stands to benefit from the research outcomes.
• Employment or consulting relationships with organizations that have a vested interest in the research or its outcomes.
• Intellectual property rights, patents, or royalties related to the research findings.
• Personal relationships, such as familial or romantic relationships, that may create biases or conflicts of interest.
• Shivaanya Publications recognizes the importance of identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest to ensure the integrity and credibility of our publications.

Disclosure requirements

Authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the publication process are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest or competing interests that may influence their objectivity, impartiality, or decision-making. This includes disclosing financial relationships, employment affiliations, personal relationships, or any other factors that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their involvement in the publication process.

Disclosure should be made at the time of manuscript submission, peer review, or editorial decision-making, and updated as necessary throughout the publication process. Failure to disclose potential conflicts of interest may result in corrective action, including rejection of the manuscript or retraction of the published article.

Management of conflicts of interest

Shivaanya Publications is committed to managing potential conflicts of interest in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner. The following measures may be implemented to mitigate conflicts of interest throughout the publication process,

Transparency and disclosure: All potential conflicts of interest disclosed by authors, reviewers, editors, or other individuals involved in the publication process will be acknowledged transparently and disclosed to relevant stakeholders, including readers, reviewers, and editorial board members.

Independent review and decision-making: In cases where potential conflicts of interest are identified among reviewers, editors, or other individuals involved in the editorial decision-making process, steps will be taken to ensure that decisions are made impartially and independently, without undue influence from conflicted parties.

Recusal and alternative assignments: Individuals with significant conflicts of interest may be recused from participating in the review or editorial decision-making process for a particular manuscript. Alternatively, alternative assignments may be made to ensure that conflicts of interest are minimized or eliminated.

Editorial oversight and review: Shivaanya Publications will regularly review and monitor potential conflicts of interest among editorial board members, reviewers, and other individuals involved in the publication process. Any conflicts of interest identified will be addressed promptly and appropriately.

Transparency in publication: Any potential conflicts of interest disclosed by authors will be included in the published article as a conflict of interest statement. Readers will be provided with transparent information about any potential biases or influences that may have affected the research or its interpretation.

Educational efforts and training

Shivaanya Publications is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of conflicts of interest among authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the publication process. We will provide educational resources, training materials, and guidance on best practices for identifying, disclosing, and managing conflicts of interest effectively.

Shivaanya Publications is dedicated to promoting integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. By implementing a robust Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests Policy in accordance with COPE guidelines, we aim to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are identified, disclosed transparently, and appropriately managed throughout the publication process. Through these efforts, we strive to maintain the integrity and credibility of our publications and to uphold the trust and confidence of the academic community.