Reporting Standards

Authors of original research reports must present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance. Basic data must be accurately represented in the manuscript. The manuscript should contain sufficient detail and references to allow others to repeat it. Fraudulent or knowingly false statements are unethical and unacceptable behavior.

Data Access and Retention

Authors are requested to provide raw data related to the manuscript for editorial review, and should be prepared to provide public access to such data (in accordance with the ALPSP-STM Statement on Data and Databases), where possible, and in any case should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable period after publication.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors should ensure that they have written a wholly original piece of work, and where authors have used the work and/or words of others, this should be properly cited or referenced.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publications

An author should not, in general, publish a manuscript describing essentially the same research in more than one major journal or publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is unethical and unacceptable publication behavior.

Source Recognition

Proper acknowledgment of the work of others should always be given. Authors should cite publications that were influential in determining the nature of the work being reported.

Author Naming

Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. If there are other individuals who have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project, they should be recognized or listed as contributors. The corresponding author should ensure that all appropriate co-authors and no inappropriate co-authors are included in the manuscript, and that all co-authors have seen and approved the final version of the manuscript and have consented to its submission for publication.

Risks and Human or Animal Subjects

If the work involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment that have special risks inherent in their use, the authors should identify them clearly in the manuscript.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

All authors must disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantial conflicts of interest that could be perceived to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. All sources of funding for the project must be disclosed.

Fundamental Errors in Published Work

When an author discovers significant errors or inaccuracies in his or her published work, it is the author's obligation to immediately notify the journal editor or publisher and work with the editor to withdraw or correct the manuscript.