Flowcharts

COPE aims to define best practice in the ethics of scientific publishing and to assist authors, Editors, editorial board members, readers, owners of journals and publishers.

Probably COPE's greatest resource and certainly its most practical are the 17 flowcharts that provide algorithms for editors to follow when they suspect publication misconduct. The flowcharts are available to download as individual PDFs.

The complete set of 17 is available. Download PDF, 476 kb

COPE has generously given ISMTE permission to share this valuable resource. 

Listing of flowcharts included in PDF:

What to do if you suspect redundant (duplicate) publication
(a) Suspected redundant publication in a submitted manuscript
(b) Suspected redundant publication in a published article

What to do if you suspect plagiarism
(a) Suspected plagiarism in a submitted manuscript
(b) Suspected plagiarism in a published article

What to do if you suspect fabricated data
(a) Suspected fabricated data in a submitted manuscript
(b) Suspected fabricated data in a published article

Changes in authorship
(a) Corresponding author requests addition of extra author before publication
(b) Corresponding author requests removal of author before publication
(c) Request for addition of extra author after publication
(d) Request for removal of author after publication
(e) Suspected guest, ghost or gift authorship
(f) Advice on how to spot authorship problems

What to do if a reviewer suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a submitted manuscript

What to do if a reader suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a published article

What to do if you suspect an ethical problem with a submitted manuscript

What to do if you suspect reviewer misconduct

How COPE handles complaints against editors