Animal/human experimentation
In cases where experiments have been performed using humans or materials derived from humans, the authors must demonstrate that the work was carried out in accordance with the principles embodied in the Declaration of Helsinki and any guidelines approved by the authors’ institutions. Where relevant, the authors must include a statement in their manuscript that describes the procedures for obtaining informed consent from participants regarding participation in the research and publication of the data or data objects. Details that could identify human subjects must be omitted.
The International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (IJERD) shall accept the sponsoring organization’s policy, ethical approval processes, and informed consent processes provided that they meet institutional and international standards. If IJERD deems that the ethical approval and informed consent processes are deficient, IJERD will notify the corresponding author in a timely manner. IJERD and the corresponding author will evaluate the deficiencies on a case-by-case basis including determination of the required documentation which the corresponding author must provide to meet IJERD’s Ethical Compliance for Human Research and Ethical Compliance for Animal Research Policies.
All IJERD decisions related to Ethical Compliance for Human Research and Ethical Compliance for Animal Research shall be final and without the possibility of appeal.
Ethical Compliance for Human Research
- All research involving human subjects must comply with internationally recognized ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent from participants.
- Researchers are required to obtain prior approval from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee before conducting the study.
- Studies must ensure participants’ privacy, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw without penalty.
- The research must minimize harm and risk to participants and uphold their dignity and welfare throughout the research process.
- Any conflicts of interest impacting research involving human subjects must be disclosed.
Ethical Compliance for Animal Research
- For experiments conducted using animals or materials derived from animals, authors must demonstrate that the work was performed according to guidelines approved by the authors’ institution(s). Where relevant, authors must also adhere to the ARRIVE guidelines.
- Research involving animals must follow strict guidelines to ensure the humane treatment of animals, including minimizing pain and/or distress.
- Researchers must obtain approval from institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) or equivalent ethical oversight bodies before conducting the study.
- Researchers must justify the necessity of using animals as subjects and use alternatives to animal testing whenever possible. .
- Proper care, housing, and handling of animals must be maintained in accordance with internationally accepted standards.
- Ethical review records and compliance documentation must be available for audit and publication.
Specimen collection
Manuscripts describing the collection of archaeological, geological, paleontological or wildlife specimens or samples should include detailed information on their provenance and collection methods. Authors must include a statement in their manuscript describing the relevant ethics guidelines, local laws and collection permits under which the research was conducted.
Reporting guidelines
The journal requires authors to follow the EQUATOR Network’s Reporting Guidelines for health research. Study types include, but are not limited to, randomized trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, case reports, qualitative research, diagnostic and prognostic studies, economic evaluations, animal pre-clinical studies, veterinary medicine and study protocols.
Editorial and Review Responsibilities
- Manuscripts reporting research on human or animal subjects must include ethical approval statements and describe compliance with all relevant international standards.
- The Editorial Board and peer reviewers will check and ensure that ethical compliance requirements are met.
- Non-compliance with ethical standards may lead to rejection or withdrawal of publications.