LCGC's Editorial Ethics Policy and Malpractice Statement

LCGC (LCGC North America, LCGC Europe, and LCGC Asia Pacific) seeks to uphold the highest standards of editorial ethics.

Peer-reviewed papers are reviewed with the understanding that the work is original and has not previously been published and is not currently under review by another publication.

Scientific method and accuracy: An author’s central obligation is to present an accurate and complete account of the research performed, absolutely avoiding deception and product promotion, including the data collected or used, as well as an objective discussion of the significance of the research. The research report and the data collected should contain sufficient detail and reference to public sources of information to permit a trained professional to reproduce the experimental observations. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable.

Originality and plagiarism: The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the authors have used the work or words of others, that such use has been appropriately cited or quoted.

Authorship: The co-authors of a paper should be all those persons who have made significant scientific contributions to the work reported and who share responsibility and accountability for the results. Authors should appropriately recognize the contributions of technical staff and data professionals. Other contributions should be indicated in an “Acknowledgments” section.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest: All relationships that could be viewed as presenting a potential conflict of interest must be disclosed by the authors. Submissions from authors who work for manufacturers of analytical instruments or consumables will be considered for publication but must not be promotional. Papers considered promotional will be rejected or sent back to the authors for revision before being resubmitted for reevaluation.

Errors and corrections: When authors discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their own published work, it is their obligation to promptly notify LCGC and cooperate with us to correct the paper in the form of an erratum or to retract the paper. If the editors or publisher learns from a third party that a published work contains a significant error or inaccuracy, then it is the authors’ obligation to promptly correct or retract the paper or provide evidence to the editors of the correctness of the paper.

Handling of unethical publishing behavior: In cases of alleged or proven scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication, or plagiarism, LCGC will take all appropriate measures to clarify the situation and to amend the article in question. This includes the prompt publication of an erratum, clarification, or even the retraction of the affected work. The publisher, together with the editors, shall take reasonable steps to identify and prevent the publication of papers where research misconduct has occurred, and under no circumstances encourage such misconduct or knowingly allow such misconduct to take place.

Copyright and permissions: Authors must obtain written permission to reproduce any copyrighted materials that have appeared elsewhere. Authors must sign a standard license agreement provided by LCGC’s parent company, Informa, confirming that the work is original and does not infringe on any copyrights or other proprietary rights of others, and granting Informa permission to publish and republish the work.