The Journal of Clinical Trials is committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity, peer review transparency, and ethical responsibility. As a global, peer-reviewed, open-access journal, we are dedicated to publishing clinically relevant, scientifically rigorous, and ethically sound research that contributes meaningfully to the advancement of medical science and patient care.

Our editorial policy ensures fairness, impartiality, and accountability at every stage of the publication process.

✦ Editorial Independence

The editorial team operates with full independence and autonomy. All editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific quality, originality, and relevance of the manuscript - without regard to authors’ nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, or personal background.

SCICONX Publishing supports the editorial team in preserving this independence and avoiding any external influence that could compromise the integrity of published content.

✦ Peer Review Policy

The Journal of Clinical Trials employs a double-blind peer review model:

• Author identities are concealed from reviewers, and vice versa.
• Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts with domain-specific expertise.
• Editors mediate the review process, ensuring timeliness, quality, and objectivity.
• Final publication decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with handling editors and reviewers.

Details of the peer review workflow are outlined on the Peer Review Process .

✦ Ethical Publishing

We adhere strictly to international publishing ethics as outlined by:

• COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)
• ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)
• CONSORT and other reporting standards

All manuscripts must include appropriate ethical approvals for research involving human or animal subjects. Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized public registry prior to patient enrollment.

⚠️ We do not tolerate:

• Plagiarism or data fabrication
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest
• Unethical authorship practices

Allegations of misconduct will be investigated thoroughly and handled according to COPE guidelines.

✦ Transparency and Reproducibility

The journal encourages transparency in data reporting, trial methodology, and statistical analysis. Authors are encouraged to:

• Share raw data when possible
• Include trial registration numbers
• Follow standard reporting checklists (e.g., CONSORT, SPIRIT, PRISMA)

Reproducibility, transparency, and patient-centered outcomes are considered important criteria in the editorial assessment process.

✦ Author and Reviewer Conduct

• Authors must certify that their work is original, unpublished, and not under simultaneous consideration elsewhere.
• Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, maintain confidentiality, and declare any conflicts of interest.
• Editors are responsible for ensuring unbiased decision-making and upholding confidentiality throughout the editorial workflow.

✦ Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or lodge ethical complaints by contacting the editorial office. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated ethics panel to ensure a fair reassessment.

✦ Continuous Improvement

The Journal of Clinical Trials regularly evaluates its editorial procedures to:

• Enhance peer review efficiency
• Promote diversity in authorship and scholarship
• Integrate innovations in scholarly communication

We value feedback from our authors, reviewers, and readers as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

For additional questions about our editorial policy, please contact: editor.clinicaltrials@sciconxjournals.com