Principles of Research Ethics
HCL Press adheres to internationally recognized ethical frameworks emphasizing maximization of benefit and minimization of harm.
Research involving humans must comply with applicable guidance, including:
- Declaration of Helsinki
- The Belmont Report
- International Ethical Guidelines for Health-Related Research Involving Humans
- COPE Best Practice Guidelines
- WAME ethics policy
- Guidelines for social science and humanities research ethics
Journal-specific instructions provide detailed requirements.
Informed Consent Policy
Studies involving human participants must document that valid informed consent was obtained through written, audio, video, or electronic means.
Authors must confirm:
- participants were informed about study purpose, risks, rights, and confidentiality protections
- ethics committee approval was obtained
- justification exists when consent is waived
Consent and ethics approval statements must appear in the manuscript.
Author Self-Archiving Policy
Authors are encouraged to deposit their published work in:
- institutional repositories
- subject repositories
- personal websites
Archived versions must clearly cite the final published article in the corresponding HCL Press journal.
Preprint Policy
Posting a manuscript as a preprint does not disqualify it from consideration in HCL Press journals.
Authors must disclose:
- location of the preprint
- DOI or unique identifier
- earlier versions or major revisions
Manuscripts are evaluated independently of preprint status.
Archiving and Preservation Policy
Published articles are preserved through distributed digital archiving systems such as the PKP Preservation Network (PKP-PN) or equivalent repositories.
This ensures long-term accessibility and restoration capability in the event of system failure or journal discontinuation.
Publication Ethics
Core Principles of Research Ethics
HCL Press is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in research and publishing. Ethical research requires maximizing potential benefits, minimizing potential risks, safeguarding participant welfare, and maintaining integrity throughout the research lifecycle.
Authors, reviewers, and editors must adhere to established international ethical standards, including:
- Declaration of Helsinki
- The Belmont Report
- International Ethical Guidelines for Health-Related Research Involving Humans
- COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines
- WAME recommendations on publication ethics
- Ethics guidance for Social Science and Humanities research
Compliance with national regulations and institutional policies is also mandatory.
Dignity and Rights of Research Participants
HCL Press is committed to respecting the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all individuals, communities, and environments involved in research. We expect inclusive, respectful, and non-stigmatizing language in manuscripts.
Authors must avoid unnecessary labeling or stereotyping based on:
- race or ethnicity
- nationality or social origin
- sex or gender identity
- sexual orientation
- religion or belief
- political opinion
- age, disability, or health condition
Descriptions of personal characteristics should be used only when scientifically justified and ethically appropriate. Respect must also extend to non-human life, ecosystems, and natural resources when research involves them.
Respect for Diversity
Research designs and reporting should acknowledge and respect the diversity of participant backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures. Investigators must:
- ensure accessibility and comprehension of study materials
- avoid discriminatory practices
- allow participants to voice concerns or withdraw without penalty
Sex and Gender Equity in Research
Authors are strongly encouraged to integrate sex and gender considerations into study design, analysis, and reporting. Where relevant, researchers should follow the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) Guidelines.
Protection from Harm
The safety and well-being of participants must always take precedence. Researchers are responsible for:
- minimizing potential risks
- establishing mechanisms to report adverse events
- providing necessary support where harm occurs
Studies involving human subjects should include clear risk-benefit justification.
Research Involving Vulnerable Populations
Additional safeguards must be applied when studies involve:
- children or older adults
- persons with cognitive or physical impairments
- economically or socially disadvantaged groups
- marginalized or dependent populations
Written informed consent and permissions for the use of personal data (biological, clinical, genetic, etc.) are mandatory and must be documented when requested.
Images of Human Participants
Manuscripts including identifiable images must:
- obtain explicit written consent from participants
- state that consent was obtained in the manuscript
- ensure privacy protection if anonymity is required
Images submitted without consent or anonymization may be removed.
Clinical Trials
All clinical trials submitted to HCL Press must:
- be registered in a recognized registry such as ICTRP or ClinicalTrials.gov
- follow international ethical principles
- obtain informed consent from participants
- protect confidentiality
Authors should follow CONSORT guidelines when reporting trial results. Failure to comply with may result in rejection or retraction.
Research Involving Biomaterials
Studies involving human tissues, cells, or biological specimens must:
- follow BRISQ reporting guidelines
- adhere to ISSCR guidelines for stem-cell research
- obtain appropriate approvals and consent for specimen use
Violations may result in retraction and suspension of submission privileges.
Potential Misuse of Research
Some research may carry dual-use risk or potential misuse. Authors must:
- comply with institutional and funder policies
- comply with local and national legal requirements
- assess the potential for harmful application of findings
When risks exist, mitigation steps should be described.
Ethics Committee Approval
Prior ethical approval is mandatory for studies involving human participants. Manuscripts must clearly state:
- name of the approving ethics committee
- approval number/reference
- date of approval
The informed consent procedure must be described. If consent was waived, the approving committee and justification must be stated.
Research Involving Animals
HCL Press generally does not publish animal research.
In rare circumstances where animal-related content exists, authors must demonstrate compliance with international and national animal ethics regulations