Authors are required to include a 'Competing Interests' statement as part of their submission. The presence of a competing interest does not automatically result in non-publication, but it ensures transparency for both reviewers and readers. In cases where no competing interests exist, a standard disclosure is made: 'No competing interests were disclosed.'
Competing interests can manifest in various forms, encompassing both financial and non-financial aspects. Instances of competing interests include, but are not restricted to:
- Individuals receiving financial support, salaries, or other forms of compensation from an organization, or holding stocks or shares in a company that may stand to gain or lose financially based on the publication's findings.
- Individuals, their funding entities, or employers holding or seeking related patents.
- Official affiliations or memberships with interest groups relevant to the content of the publication.
- Political, religious, or ideological competing interests.
