Ethical Guidelines and Conflict of Interest

1.0 Introduction

One of the foundations of the scientific profession is the acceptance by its members of a 'code of conduct' which outlines desired behaviour and obligations of members of the profession to each other and the public. Such a code of conduct seeks to maximise the benefits of science to society and the profession. The advancement of science requires the sharing of knowledge, even though this may sometimes forego any immediate personal advantage.

The publication of scientific research in journals is one of the fundamental ways in which the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) serves the chemical science communities. Central to this service are certain responsibilities that editors, authors and referees have to maintain the high ethical standard relating to the publication of manuscripts in the journals published by the RSC. In cases where these guidelines are breached or appear to be so, the RSC will consult the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines of the Committee On Publication Ethics (COPE) and act accordingly.

This document* outlines these responsibilities.

* Reproduced in part-with permission-from ''Ethical Guidelines to Publication of Chemical Research'', Chem Rev., 1995, 95, pp 11A-13A. © 1985, 1989, 1995 American Chemical Society.