Editorial Policies

1. Overview

Advances in Modern Biomedicine (AMB, E-ISSN: 2982-3870) requires that all submitted research adhere to widely recognized standards for research practice and publication ethics, as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) , the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Submission of a manuscript indicates that all authors have read and agreed to the journal's policies and confirm the work's compliance with these guidelines. AMB maintains the prerogative to enforce standards that exceed those of local ethical or regulatory frameworks. Any issues identified after publication will be handled per COPE guidelines, potentially resulting in a correction, retraction, or expression of concern, and may involve notifying the authors' institutions.

2. Ethics and Consent

Research involving human participants, human materials, or human data must be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and must receive approval from an appropriate ethics committee prior to the study. Upholding rigorous standards for research ethics, we require authors to report such approvals in their manuscript, specifying the name of the ethics committee and the reference number. For studies granted an exemption from ethics approval, the manuscript must detail the reason for exemption and the name of the committee that provided the formal waiver. Authors should be prepared to provide supporting documentation for the approval or exemption upon the Editor's request. Manuscripts may be rejected if the research is deemed to lack a proper ethical foundation, and the Editor reserves the right to contact the relevant ethics committee for clarification.

2.1 Consent for Publication

For all studies involving human subjects, appropriate informed consent must be obtained from each participant. In the case of minors under the age of 16, consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian. If the manuscript contains any personal data, images, audio-video materials, or other identifiable information, explicit consent for publication must also be secured from the affected individuals or their guardians.

A statement regarding consent to participate and to publish must be included in the manuscript, typically within the "Ethical Approval and Consent" section. If informed consent has been waived, the manuscript should clearly state the name of the approving ethics committee and provide a valid justification for the exemption.
The corresponding author should retain the original signed consent forms and be prepared to provide them to the journal upon request. Any concerns related to consent or ethical compliance identified during the publication process will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines and may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

2.2 Trial Registration

AMB requires prospective registration of all clinical trials in a public registry. We follow ICMJE policy and the World Health Organization (WHO)'s definition of clinical trials. The trial registration number must be provided at submission, and registration must be completed before the first participant is enrolled.

2.3 Research Involving Human Embryos, Gametes, and Stem Cells

Manuscripts reporting studies involving human embryos, gametes, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), their derivatives, or clinical applications of stem cells must include a statement confirming that all procedures were performed in accordance with applicable guidelines and national regulations.

Authors are required to affirm that informed consent has been secured from all individuals involved as donors or recipients of cells, tissues, or embryos, where relevant. A clear description of the donation terms must be provided, covering the permitted scope of research use and any limitations regarding commercial applications. Additionally, the manuscript should contain an ethics declaration specifying the institutional or national research ethics committee that granted official approval for the study, along with the committee’s full name and assigned reference number. The editorial office may, at its discretion, request to review anonymized versions of consent records or ethics approval materials during the assessment process.

Authors conducting stem cell research must adhere to the principles outlined in the latest International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation.

The journal approaches manuscripts reporting heritable human genome editing with great deliberation, recognizing that such work raises fundamental questions beyond the laboratory. It is imperative that submissions not only demonstrate a compelling safety and regulatory rationale but also engage with the significant societal implications. To this end, the editorial team may seek counsel from specialized ethics committees prior to reaching a final decision.

2.4 Sex and Gender in Research (SAGER)

AMB encourages authors to adhere to the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines and incorporate appropriate consideration of sex and gender into their studies where relevant.
2.5 Research Involving Animals

Experimental research involving animals must be approved by an appropriate ethics committee and must comply with institutional, national, or international guidelines. Authors are encouraged to adhere to recognized standards such as the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), ARRIVE, and/or International Council for Laboratory Animal Science ( ICLAS) Guidelines.

Manuscripts must include a statement confirming ethical approval and adherence to ethical guidelines. If a study was granted an exemption, the name of the authorizing ethics committee and the specific reasons for the exemption must be provided.

For studies involving client-owned animals, authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained from the owners or their legal representatives and that best practices in veterinary care were followed.

All research should align with internationally accepted animal welfare standards and the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Euthanasia methods must be clearly described, and the use of certain agents (e.g., chloral hydrate, ether, or chloroform) is strongly discouraged.

Editors will evaluate animal welfare issues and reserve the right to reject manuscripts, particularly if the protocols are inconsistent with widely accepted ethical standards. Additional documentation may be requested during the review process.

2.6 Research Involving Plants

Experimental research on plants, including cultivated and wild species as well as the collection of plant materials, must comply with institutional, national, and international guidelines. Field studies must be conducted in accordance with local legislation, and the manuscript should include a statement specifying the relevant permissions and/or licenses obtained. Authors are encouraged to adhere to the IUCN Policy Statement on Research Involving Species at Risk of Extinction and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

For each study, supporting genetic information and the origin of the plants used must be provided. In the case of rare and non-model plant species (excluding typical model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana, and Oryza sativa), voucher specimens must be deposited in an accessible public herbarium or collection.

2.7 Dual Use Research of Concern

AMB follows the practical framework provided in the Guidance for Editors: Research, Audit and Service Evaluations developed by the COPE. Manuscripts presenting research that may pose a substantial threat to public health or national security must clearly indicate such risks in the text. In addition, any potential dual-use implications must be fully disclosed in the submission cover letter.

Areas of concern include, but are not limited to:

Biosecurity risks

Nuclear and chemical threats

Research with military applications or intent

Submissions in these domains will be considered for peer review only if the potential benefits to society or public health are judged to significantly outweigh the risks. Authors must ensure full compliance with all applicable national and international laws and regulations.

2.8 Others

For cases not covered by specific instructions, please refer to the relevant publication guidelines or contact the journal editor directly.

3. Availability of Data and Materials

AMB requires authors to ensure that all data, materials, and code necessary to reproduce the findings reported in their study are made accessible to the scientific community in a timely manner. We strongly advocate for the public deposition of research data in appropriate repositories to enhance research transparency, facilitate data reuse, and ensure long-term preservation. Authors must include a dedicated "Data Availability Statement" in their manuscript that explicitly describes how and where the supporting data can be accessed.

For data sets that are publicly available, authors should provide comprehensive reference details including the repository name, a persistent identifier such as a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or accession number, and a stable URL link to the data set. In cases where data cannot be made publicly available due to legitimate restrictions including ethical considerations, privacy concerns, legal provisions, or proprietary agreements, authors must provide a clear and detailed explanation of these restrictions in their Data Availability Statement. Furthermore, they should outline a secure and equitable access pathway through which qualified researchers may obtain the data, such as via a designated data access committee, institutional review board, or through direct contact with the corresponding author.

For studies involving human participants, authors must ensure that any data sharing complies fully with the obtained ethical approvals and participant consent agreements, implementing appropriate de-identification or anonymization measures to protect participant privacy and confidentiality.

Compliance with this data availability policy is a mandatory condition for publication. Failure to provide adequate data access information or non-compliance with these requirements may result in delays in the review process or rejection of the manuscript. Additionally, should data access restrictions or policy violations be identified after publication, AMB reserves the right to take appropriate corrective actions, which may include issuing formal corrections, expressions of concern, or in severe cases, retraction of the published article.

4. Standards of Reporting

AMB advocates complete and transparent reporting of biomedical and biological research. AMB strongly encourages the use of the following checklists and reporting guidelines:

For other related guidelines, please contact the editorial office for confirmation.

5. Conflicts of Interest

5.1 Definition of Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest (COI) exists when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional interests or relationships could unduly influence, or be perceived to influence, their objectivity, integrity, or independence in the conduct, review, or publication of research.

Conflicts of interest are generally categorized as follows:

Financial Conflicts: Direct or indirect monetary benefits, such as employment, research funding, stock ownership, patents, or consulting fees.

Non-Financial Conflicts: Non-monetary interests, including personal relationships, academic commitments, unpaid roles, or affiliations that may bias judgment or create an appearance of partiality.

All individuals involved in the research and publication process must disclose any relevant interests that could reasonably be viewed as a potential conflict. Transparency in disclosure is essential to safeguard the credibility of the research and maintain trust in the published work.

5.2 Author Declaration and Disclosure of Competing Interests

Each author is responsible for disclosing all potential competing interests—whether actual or perceived—related to the submitted manuscript. This includes financial interests (such as research funding, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, and patents) and non-financial interests (such as personal relationships, academic affiliations, or unpaid roles). Authors must disclose these interests regardless of whether they believe they represent an actual conflict.

All manuscripts must include a "Competing Interests" section immediately before the reference list. In this section, authors must provide a complete and specific statement detailing any financial or non-financial interests. If no conflicts exist, the following standard declaration must be used: "The author(s) declare(s) that they have no competing interests."

Failure to disclose relevant competing interests, or the provision of inaccurate or incomplete information, may lead to the rejection of the manuscript, or the correction or retraction of a published article. All cases of undisclosed conflicts of interest will be addressed in accordance with COPE guidelines.

The Editor reserves the right to request further details regarding any declared or potential competing interests during the manuscript evaluation process.

5.3 Editor and Reviewer Declaration

Editors and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the objectivity of the peer review process. This includes, but is not limited to, competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors, institutions, or funders associated with the manuscript.

Individuals with a relevant conflict will be excluded from handling or reviewing the manuscript. The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of peer review by ensuring that all editorial and review activities are conducted free from undue influence. 

6. Authorship

Authorship must meet ICMJE criteria, with order reflecting contribution. All authors must approve the manuscript and any changes. For specific authorship requirements, please refer to the Publishing Ethic-2.2  Authorship criteria.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

To uphold academic integrity, originality, and confidentiality, the journal establishes the following policy governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) tools in manuscript preparation and peer review. 

7.1 Requirements for Authors

Prohibited Use: Presenting AI-generated content (including text, data, images, or ideas) as an author's original intellectual contribution is strictly prohibited. AI tools must not be used to create the core scholarly content, such as research methodology, data analysis, central arguments, or conclusions.

Restricted Use: AI tools may be used assistively for non-core tasks, such as language polishing, grammar checking, or formatting refinement.

Mandatory Disclosure: Authors must explicitly disclose any use of AI tools in the "Methods" or "Acknowledgments" section, specifying the tool name, version, purpose of use, and a declaration that they take full responsibility for the modified content.

Data Security: Authors are prohibited from uploading submitted manuscripts or associated data into public AI platforms due to confidentiality and copyright concerns.

7.2 Requirements for Editors and Reviewers

Prohibited Use: Editors and reviewers are strictly prohibited from using AI tools for any aspect of manuscript assessment, including writing review comments or making editorial decisions, to ensure confidentiality, impartiality, and professional judgment.

Data Security: Uploading manuscripts, data, or review comments to public AI platforms is forbidden.

Violation of this policy will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript or retraction of a published article.

8. Citations

8.1 Purpose of Citations

Citations serve essential functions in establishing scholarly credibility and facilitating academic discourse.

Acknowledgment: To give credit to the original authors or creators of ideas, theories, data, or methodologies that influenced the work.

Transparency: To allow readers to verify the sources of information and evaluate their credibility.

Academic Integrity: To avoid plagiarism by properly attributing ideas and content to their rightful authors.

Scholarly Context: To position the work within the existing body of knowledge and highlight its contributions.

8.2 Appropriate Use of Citations

Accurate and ethical citation is fundamental to scholarly communication. Authors are required to adhere to the following principles to ensure the integrity and credibility of their work:

Cite Primary Sources: Always prioritize citing the original (primary) source of ideas, findings, or data to ensure accuracy, rather than secondary publications that mention them.

Ensure Relevance: Include only citations that are directly relevant to the research and necessary to support the manuscript's claims. Avoid excessive references to unrelated or marginally relevant works.

Maintain Source Integrity: Authors must confirm they have read and understood every source they cite. Citing works without direct access is strictly prohibited.

Limit Self-Citation: Self-citation should be restricted to one's own prior work that is genuinely relevant to the current manuscript. Excessive self-citation is considered unethical.

Avoid Citation Manipulation: Do not cite an excessive number of references to support a single point, and refrain from any practice that could be viewed as citation manipulation.

Diversify Sources: The reference list should reflect a balanced perspective by including literature from various regions. Avoid over-reliance on work from a single country or research group.

8.3 Citation Integrity

Citations must maintain the highest standards of accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness to ensure the credibility and reliability of scholarly work.

Accuracy: All citations should be accurate and correspond to the correct source, including author names, titles, publication years, and page numbers.

Accessibility: Cited works should be accessible to readers, either through public archives, libraries, or online resources.

Up-to-Date References: Where possible, include recent and relevant references to reflect the current state of the field.

9. Misconduct

9.1 Data Fabrication and Falsification

Data fabrication constitutes the deliberate creation, invention, or alteration of experimental data, observations, or research results. This includes reporting experiments that were never conducted, generating fictitious datasets, or manipulating measurements to align with desired outcomes. Data falsification refers to the manipulation, alteration, or omission of research data, images, or results to distort their original meaning or presentation. This includes selectively removing outliers, modifying data points, manipulating graphical representations, or editing images in ways that misrepresent the actual findings.

Any questions regarding data integrity raised during or after the peer review process will be referred to the Editor. The Editor may request the underlying study data (in anonymised form, where necessary) from the author(s) for inspection or verification. If the original data cannot be produced, the manuscript may be rejected or, in the case of a published article, retracted. Suspected cases of misconduct will be reported to the author(s)' institution(s).

9.2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism, in all its forms, is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious violation of publication ethics. This includes, but is not limited to: Directly using others' work without quotation marks and proper citation. Rephrasing others' ideas or text without appropriate attribution; Using data, graphs, figures, or images from another source without clear permission and acknowledgment; Appropriating research hypotheses, methodologies, or conclusions without credit; Reusing substantial portions of one's own previously published work without transparent declaration and citation, which includes publishing the same manuscript in different journals and submitting articles that only have minor modifications from prior publications.

9.3 Duplicate Publication (Self-Plagiarism)

Publishing the same or substantially similar content in more than one journal. Any manuscript submitted to AMB must be original and the manuscript, or substantial parts of it, must not be under consideration by any other journal.

9.4 Citation Manipulation

The deliberate distortion of citation practices to artificially enhance citation metrics or create a misleading impression of scholarly relevance. Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: excessive or irrelevant self-citation; coordinated citation exchanges among authors or journals; and the inclusion of references that have not been consulted or are unrelated to the research content.

9.5 Peer Review Manipulation

Any attempt to interfere with the integrity, independence, or confidentiality of the peer review process will be prohibited. This includes but is not limited to: suggesting reviewers with known conflicts of interest; falsifying reviewer identities or credentials; attempting to influence editorial decisions through undisclosed means; or breaching the confidentiality of review materials.

AMB will address any suspected cases of publication misconduct in accordance with the guidelines established by the COPE.

10. Corrections and Retractions

AMB is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scientific record. If errors or issues are identified in published articles, appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the COPE and ICMJE.

10.1 Corrections and Retractions

Minor errors not affecting the article's conclusions may be corrected through a formal Correction notice. In cases of significant errors or ethical breaches that invalidate the findings, the article will be retracted following COPE guidelines, with a clear Retraction Notice linked to the original publication. All corrections and retractions are indexed and bidirectionally linked to the original article.

For full correction and retraction policies, please click the Publishing Ethic-2.8 Corrections and Retractions.

10.2 Expressions of Concern

In specific circumstances where credible concerns are raised regarding the academic integrity of a published article, and an investigation is underway but a definitive conclusion cannot be reached in the short term, the journal editors may issue an Expression of Concern. This serves as an alert to the scientific community about potential risks, advising readers to exercise caution when interpreting or using the content or conclusions of the article until the issues are resolved. The Expression of Concern becomes part of the permanent record. Once the investigation is concluded, the journal will publish a subsequent notice (e.g., a Correction, Retraction, or explanatory note) reflecting the outcome and will update the original Expression of Concern accordingly.

10.3 Removal of Published Content

AMB is committed to preserving the scholarly record as a permanent and complete historical document. However, in exceptional circumstances, published content may be removed from our online platform. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to:

Compliance with a court or government order.

The content is defamatory, infringes upon personal privacy or other legal rights, and the issue cannot be adequately resolved through a correction, retraction, or editorial notice.

The content, if acted upon, poses a serious and immediate risk to public health or safety.

The research was not lawfully conducted or published, making its continued availability unlawful.

In these rare cases, the full-text content will be removed. However, to maintain the integrity of the academic record, the article's metadata (including title and authors) will be retained on the original webpage, accompanied by a notice that clearly states the reason for the removal. This action is taken in accordance with the guidelines of the COPE.

10.4 Comments and Replies

AMB encourages scholarly dialogue and welcomes comments on published articles that provide constructive feedback, identify errors, or offer alternative interpretations of the findings. Comments must be relevant, concise, and supported by evidence.

Submission of Comments: Authors, readers, or researchers may submit comments to the journal within a specified period after the original article's publication. The comments will be reviewed for clarity, relevance, and adherence to the journal's guidelines before publication.

Author Replies: Authors of the original article will be invited to respond to published comments. Replies should address the points raised constructively and succinctly.

Editorial Oversight: Both comments and replies are subject to editorial review and may undergo peer review if deemed necessary. Comments and replies will be published alongside the original article or in a designated section of the journal.

11. Appeals and Complaints

AMB is dedicated to upholding the integrity of our editorial process, ensuring it is fair, transparent, and impartial. Should authors or readers believe that an editorial decision or procedure has been handled unjustly, they have recourse to raise an appeal or complaint. Matters concerning editorial processes or publication ethics are initially addressed by the journal's Editor. If the complaint pertains to the Editor, please contact the editorial and publishing management team directly at EEEE.

11.1 Appeals

AMB is committed to ensuring a fair editorial process. Authors may submit a formal appeal to the Editorial Office if they believe an editorial decision was based on a critical error.

A valid appeal must be submitted within a reasonable timeframe and include:

  • A point-by-point response to the reviewers' and/or Editor's comments.
  • Detailed evidence or reasoning that directly addresses the grounds for rejection.
  • A clear justification for reconsideration, such as identification of a factual error in the review process, new data that fundamentally addresses the key criticisms, or demonstrable bias.

Note that appeals are not granted for reasons including:

  • Subjective disagreements regarding the novelty or interest level of the study.
  • Disagreement with the journal's scope or editorial priorities.
  • Claims that reviewers misunderstood the work without providing substantive rebuttal evidence.

Appeals are evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editorial board member not involved in the original decision. This is the final stage of the process, and the decision is binding.

11.2 Complaints

Complaints regarding the editorial process, peer review, ethical concerns, or publication policies can be submitted to the journal.

Complaints should include specific details and supporting evidence to allow thorough investigation.

The editorial team will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and investigate it in accordance with COPE guidelinesCOPE guidelines.

If the complaint cannot be resolved by the journal, it may be escalated to the publisher or referred to COPE.

12. Preservation and Archiving Information

The journal ensures long-term digital preservation through the PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN). Furthermore, in compliance with legal requirements, all online versions of published manuscripts are deposited with the National Library of Malaysia for legal deposit and national archival purposes.

13. Repository Policy

AMB permits authors to self-archive the preprint, accepted manuscript, and final published version of their articles under the following terms:

Preprint Version (Prior to Peer Review)

Authors may archive pre-print versions on any platform (personal websites, institutional repositories, commercial platforms, or social media). Upon publication, authors must add:

"This is a pre-print of an article published in AMB. The final authenticated version is available at: https://doi.org/[DOI]."

Accepted Manuscript Stage:

During the embargo period (acceptance to publication), authors may deposit the accepted manuscript in:

Personal websites (non-commercial)

Institutional/funder repositories (non-public until embargo ends)

Post-publication must include:

"This is the accepted manuscript (pre-copyedit version). The final version is available at: https://doi.org/[DOI]."

Published Version Stage:

As an open-access CC BY journal:

Authors may immediately share the published version anywhere, including commercial repositories

Must attribute the journal as original source with full citation and DOI link

As the journal operates under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) License, authors may reuse, share, and distribute their published articles freely for both non-commercial and commercial purposes. In all cases:

AMB must be clearly cited as the original place of publication;

The correct citation details and DOI must be included;

Authors should deposit the published article’s URL or DOI in any repository where the article is shared.

Additional Notes

Authors retain the right to reuse the abstract and citation details (e.g., title, author names, publication date) of their article anywhere at any time, with the DOI included whenever possible.

Authors are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with their funding agency’s archiving policies and for the accuracy of all related disclosures. AMB does not verify such compliance.