PQ operates under the ethical guidance of the COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics (https://publicationethics.org) and expects all authors to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and reporting.

1. Originality, Plagiarism, and Redundant Publication

Authors must ensure their work represents an entirely original contribution.

• Plagiarism: Presenting the work, data, text, or theories of others as one's own is unethical and unacceptable. This includes unauthorized copying, paraphrasing without attribution, or claiming results from others' research. PQ utilizes the Samim-e Noor (https://www.samimnoor.ir) or Hamananjoo (https://tik.irandoc.ac.ir) to screen all submissions.
• Proper Acknowledgement: If the words or work of others are used, this must be appropriately cited or quoted, and permission must be obtained where necessary. Information obtained privately (e.g., correspondence or conversation) requires explicit written permission from the source.
• Multiple or Redundant Publication: Authors should not publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one primary publication (duplicate or redundant publication). Simultaneous submission of the same or substantially similar manuscript to multiple journals is strictly unethical and unacceptable.
• Salami Slicing: A single study should not be improperly segmented ("salami-slicing") into multiple smaller parts to increase the number of submissions.
• Permissible Reuse: Exceptions include preprints, abstracts, published lectures, or academic theses, provided these are disclosed upon submission. If prior work is reused, it must be appropriately cited and cross-referenced to avoid self-plagiarism or text recycling.

2. Generative AI Use and Disclosure

While generative AI tools can support authors, human accountability and transparency are paramount.

Authors are responsible for carefully verifying the accuracy of all AI-generated output, including checking sources, as AI-generated references can be incorrect or fabricated. Authors must also ensure that the use of any tool safeguards data privacy and intellectual property.

3. Ethical Research Practices (Human/Animal Subjects)

When research involves human participants, animals, or sensitive data, specific ethical and legal requirements must be met and documented.

• Human Participants: Research must comply with relevant institutional and national guidelines. Authors must include a statement confirming that informed consent (https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/management/informed-consent) and (https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ethics/process-seeking-if-printing.pdf?sfvrsn=3fac5edb_4) was obtained from participants (or their legal representative) and detail how this was addressed. The research should be carried out in accordance with guidelines such as the DoH: Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki).
• Ethical Approval: Where required, the manuscript must provide an ethical statement confirming that the research received institutional and national (or international) ethical approval. This statement should include the name and location of the review board, the approval number, and the date of approval. Failure to provide suitable ethical documentation may result in the work being returned or rejected.
• Animal Subjects: Research involving animals must follow the 3R principles: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement (https://nc3rs.org.uk/who-we-are/3rs). Procedures must comply with relevant guidelines, such as the ARRIVE guidelines (https://arriveguidelines.org). An appropriate ethical statement confirming institutional approval is mandatory.
• Hazards: If the work involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment with unusual inherent hazards, these must be clearly identified.

4. Conflicts of Interest (Competing Interests)

Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias their work (Competing Interests). This applies to interests within the last three years of beginning the research, or outside that timeframe if they could reasonably be perceived as influential.

• Financial Interests: Examples include grants, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, patent applications, or funding.
• Non-Financial Interests: Examples include professional affiliations, personal relationships, or ideological beliefs that could impart bias.
• Disclosure Principle: Authors should ask themselves: "Is there any arrangement that would embarrass you or any of your co-authors if it was to become publicly known after publication and you had not declared it?".
• Declaration: Authors are required to refer to and complete the official Declaration of Competing Interests Form (https://zenodo.org/records/17764062/files/Declaration_Competing_Interests_Form.docx?download=1) and submit it concurrently with their manuscript submission. Additionally, a concise disclosure statement must be included in the manuscript text under a designated section, summarizing the financial and non-financial interests of all authors.

5. Integrity and Errors

Authors have a fundamental obligation to present results clearly and honestly, avoiding fabrication or falsification of data or image manipulation.

• Error Correction: If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their own published work, they must promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate to correct or retract the paper if necessary.
• Image Integrity: Manipulation of images (e.g., enhancing, obscuring, moving, or removing specific features) is not permitted, as it constitutes scientific ethical abuse.