What are the best practices for disclosing potential conflicts of interest in research?

1 Identify potential COIs

The first step is to identify any potential COIs that may affect your research. This requires being honest, transparent, and proactive about your own interests and those of your collaborators, sponsors, or institutions. You can use some tools and guidelines to help you assess and document your potential COIs, such as the COI disclosure form, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations, or the ethical codes of your discipline or organization.

2 Disclose potential COIs

The second step is to disclose any potential COIs that you have identified to the relevant parties, such as the research ethics committee, the journal editor, the conference organizer, or the public. You should disclose your potential COIs as early as possible, preferably before starting the research, and update them as needed. You should also disclose your potential COIs in a clear, comprehensive, and accessible way, using standard formats and language, and providing sufficient details and explanations.

3 Manage potential COIs

The third step is to manage any potential COIs that you have disclosed, in consultation with the relevant parties, such as the research ethics committee, the journal editor, the conference organizer, or the public. You should follow the policies and procedures of your discipline or organization for managing COIs, and seek advice or guidance if needed. You should also respect the decisions and recommendations of the parties that review your COIs, and comply with any conditions or restrictions that they impose.

4 Monitor potential COIs

The fourth step is to monitor any potential COIs that you have disclosed and managed, throughout the research process and beyond. You should keep track of any changes or developments that may affect your COIs, and report them promptly to the relevant parties. You should also review and evaluate your COIs regularly, and seek feedback or input from others, such as your peers, mentors, or stakeholders. You should also be prepared to respond to any questions or concerns that may arise from your COIs, and address them in a respectful and constructive way.

5 Learn from potential COIs

The fifth step is to learn from any potential COIs that you have disclosed, managed, and monitored, and use them to improve your research practice and ethics. You should reflect on your own experience and performance in dealing with COIs, and identify any strengths or weaknesses, challenges or opportunities, or lessons or insights. You should also share your experience and knowledge with others, such as your colleagues, students, or community, and contribute to the development and dissemination of best practices and standards for COIs.

6 Promote a culture of disclosure

The sixth step is to promote a culture of disclosure and transparency in your research environment and community, and encourage others to follow the best practices for disclosing potential COIs. You should model and support ethical behavior and values in your research, and foster a climate of trust and respect among your peers, funders, and public. You should also advocate for and participate in the development and implementation of clear and consistent policies and procedures for COIs, and ensure that they are widely communicated and enforced.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?