COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how COPE provides ethical guidelines and resources for editors and researchers to manage research misconduct.
COPE is an international organization that provides ethical guidelines and resources to help people navigate the complexities of research misconduct.
Who it's for
This scheme is intended for professionals working directly within the academic and research publishing landscape. Specifically, it is designed for editors who manage journal content and researchers who are responsible for producing and submitting work. It serves those navigating the global academic landscape who need to maintain high ethical standards throughout the publication process.
What you get
Members and users gain access to a comprehensive set of ethical guidelines and specialized resources. These tools are specifically designed to help you handle research misconduct effectively. By using these resources, editors and researchers can better understand how to manage ethical dilemmas and maintain the integrity of published research. This includes guidance on how to navigate the professional standards required in a global research environment.
What it costs you
Accessing these ethical guidelines and resources does not cost you anything. There are no fees mentioned for using the standard resources provided by the organization.
The catch to know
It is important to understand the specific role COPE plays in the research community. They do not act as an investigative body for individual cases of misconduct. If a specific instance of research fraud or error occurs, COPE will not step in to conduct the investigation itself. Instead, they provide the essential framework and the ethical standards that journals and publishers use to conduct those investigations themselves.
How to apply
- Navigate to the official COPE portal to explore their available materials.
- Review the specific ethical guidelines to see how they apply to your professional role.
- Utilize the provided resources to help guide your handling of research misconduct.
- Use the established frameworks to support your journal's internal investigative processes.