Data and Reproducibility

This journal is committed to upholding the principles of transparency, scientific rigor, and reproducibility in all research published. To promote openness and ensure the reliability of scientific findings, we follow best practices for data availability and adhere to recognized reporting guidelines. The journal also follows the Core Practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Data Availability
Authors are strongly encouraged to make all data underlying their research publicly available. This allows readers to verify and reproduce results. To facilitate this process, authors should:

- Provide clear and comprehensive details about the data collection, methodology, and analysis.
- For quantitative research, deposit datasets in reputable data repositories or provide direct links to the data within the article.
- For qualitative research, provide a detailed description of data sources and methods, including representative examples or excerpts where applicable.

In cases where data cannot be made publicly accessible due to legal or ethical reasons, authors must explain these concerns and provide a mechanism for requesting access.

2. Reporting Guidelines
To ensure clarity and transparency, authors should follow relevant reporting guidelines specific to their study design. These guidelines help maintain consistency and improve the comprehensibility of research. They also make it easier for readers, reviewers, and editors to assess the validity of the study. Key steps include:

- For studies involving human participants (including clinical trials), authors are required to register their research in an appropriate clinical trial registry *before* participant enrollment.
- We adhere to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) principles and support the registration of clinical trials according to international standards.

3. Reproducibility
Reproducibility is fundamental to scientific progress. Authors should ensure that their manuscripts include:

- Detailed methodologies, protocols, and analysis strategies.
- Information that allows other researchers to replicate and validate the study’s findings.

This ensures the robustness and reliability of results, enhancing the trustworthiness of the research.

4. Data Citation
Authors are required to properly cite datasets and data sources used in their research. Proper citation allows other researchers to trace the data and acknowledges the work of original data creators. Data citations should follow standard citation formats and be included in the manuscript’s reference list.

5. Evaluation Process
The editorial board and reviewers will assess compliance with this data availability and reproducibility policy during the manuscript evaluation process. Authors may be asked to:

- Provide additional documentation or clarification regarding data availability.
- Submit additional details related to data reporting or methodology if needed.

6. Policy Updates
This policy will be reviewed periodically to stay aligned with the latest practices in data sharing, reporting, and reproducibility. Any revisions will be communicated to authors and made publicly available on the journal's website.