Human and Animal Research Ethics

Human research

Research involving human participants, identifiable records or biological material must comply with applicable law and relevant ethical principles, including the Declaration of Helsinki where applicable. Obtain approval from a competent research ethics committee before the work begins, unless a valid exemption applies.

The Methods section must identify the committee, approval reference and approval date. Provide the approval document to the editorial office. Where approval or consent was waived, name the body granting the waiver and explain its basis. Retrospective studies and secondary data analyses must report the applicable approval, exemption or waiver; these designs are not automatically exempt.

Describe consent procedures and safeguards for vulnerable participants. Studies involving children require appropriate guardian permission and participant assent where applicable. Participation must be voluntary, without improper pressure arising from clinical, teaching or employment relationships.

Animal research

Report approval from the responsible animal ethics body, applicable welfare standards, humane endpoints, anesthesia and euthanasia methods where relevant. Explain measures to replace, reduce and refine animal use. Report animal studies using relevant ARRIVE guidance.

Ethical approval does not by itself guarantee acceptance. Editors may request further documentation or decline work where ethical concerns remain unresolved.