Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
https://revodontolunesp.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/1807-2577.20250011
Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
Original Article

Ethical guidelines in scientific journal policies: analysis and recommendations

Diretrizes éticas nas políticas de periódicos científicos: análise e recomendações

Catarina Pereira Monteiro LIMA; Larissa Braz PONTES; François Isnaldo Dias CALDEIRA; Luan Viana FARIA; Fernando Afonso de OLIVEIRA; Luana Raphael da SILVA; Maurício Gandini Gianni MARTELLI; Clemente Maia da Silva FERNANDES; Mônica da Costa SERRA

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Abstract

Introduction: The growth of online scientific publications has expanded the dissemination of knowledge but has also fostered the emergence of predatory journals that disregard ethical principles of publishing.

Objective: This study examined ethical requirements in health science journals using “Submission Guidelines” from journal websites.

Material and method: A sample of 270 journals was randomly selected from 2,523 identified via the Qualis portal, distributed across Dentistry (15.9%), Health Sciences (53.7%), and multidisciplinary areas (30.4%).

Result: Findings revealed a decline in ethical submission standards with decreasing impact factor and Qualis classification.

Conclusion: Higher-impact journals emphasized robust methodologies, ethical adherence, and reliable results, contrasting with lower-impact journals, which showed less stringent policies. These trends also applied to multidisciplinary journals.

Keywords

Ethics in scientific publication; journals; guidelines

Resumo

Introdução: O crescimento das publicações científicas online ampliou a disseminação do conhecimento, porém também favoreceu o surgimento de revistas predatórias que desconsideram princípios éticos de publicação.

Material e método: Uma amostra de 270 periódicos foi selecionada aleatoriamente a partir de 2.523 identificados no portal Qualis, distribuídos entre Odontologia (15,9%), Ciências da Saúde (53,7%) e áreas multidisciplinares (30,4%).

Resultado: Os achados revelaram uma queda nos padrões éticos de submissão à medida que o fator de impacto e a classificação Qualis diminuíam.

Conclusão: Periódicos de maior impacto enfatizavam metodologias robustas, adesão ética e resultados confiáveis, enquanto periódicos de menor impacto apresentavam políticas menos rigorosas. Essas tendências também se aplicaram a periódicos multidisciplinares.

Palavras-chave

Ética na publicação científica; periódicos; diretrizes

References

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Submitted date:
05/14/2025

Accepted date:
08/25/2025

69380652a95395610852310a rou Articles
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