Informed Consent for Publication

Informed Consent for Publication

Overview

The Review of Economics, Accounting, Business, and Management Studies (REABMS) is committed to protecting the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of individuals who participate in research. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all research involving human participants is conducted in accordance with applicable ethical principles and that appropriate informed consent has been obtained before submission whenever identifiable personal information is included in a manuscript.

REABMS recognizes that research in economics, accounting, business, management, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, organizational studies, public administration, and related disciplines may involve surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, case studies, organizational observations, photographs, audio or video recordings, and other forms of participant-generated information. Authors must ensure that participants understand how their information will be used and published and that their privacy is appropriately protected throughout the publication process.

Protection of Participant Privacy

Authors must safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of all research participants by removing or anonymizing information that could reasonably identify an individual unless explicit written consent for publication has been obtained. Identifiable information includes, but is not limited to:

  • Names and initials
  • Photographs or facial images
  • Voice recordings
  • Video recordings
  • Email addresses
  • Telephone numbers
  • Residential or workplace addresses
  • Employee or student identification numbers
  • Institutional or organizational identifiers
  • Social media usernames or online profiles
  • Unique demographic characteristics revealing identity
  • Any other information permitting identification

Authors should ensure that text, tables, figures, appendices, supplementary materials, and datasets do not disclose participant identities unless publication of such information has been explicitly authorized.

Informed Consent Requirements

When a manuscript contains information or materials that may directly or indirectly identify an individual, authors must obtain written informed consent for publication from the participant before submitting the manuscript. The consent process should ensure that participants:

  • Understand the purpose of the research
  • Understand the purpose of publication
  • Are informed about the nature of the information being published
  • Understand the potential audience and public accessibility of published materials
  • Have been informed of any reasonably foreseeable risks associated with publication
  • Voluntarily agree to the publication of identifiable information
Consent should be obtained before manuscript submission whenever publication of identifiable information is anticipated.

Research Involving Vulnerable Participants

When research involves individuals who may require additional protection, authors must ensure that informed consent is obtained in accordance with applicable ethical and legal requirements. This includes, where applicable:

  • Minors
  • Individuals with diminished decision-making capacity
  • Persons under legal guardianship
  • Economically or socially vulnerable populations
  • Individuals participating through organizations or institutions where power relationships may exist
Where participants are legally unable to provide consent independently, written permission must be obtained from a parent, legal guardian, or other legally authorized representative in accordance with institutional and national ethical requirements.

Organizational and Institutional Research

Research conducted within businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, or other organizations may require institutional authorization in addition to participant consent.

Where organizational approval is necessary, authors should ensure that:

  • Appropriate institutional permissions have been obtained
  • Confidential business information is protected
  • Proprietary or commercially sensitive information is handled responsibly
  • Publication complies with contractual, legal, and ethical obligations

Institutional permission does not replace the requirement for informed consent from individual participants when personal information is collected.

Anonymization of Data

Whenever possible, authors are encouraged to anonymize participant information before publication. Appropriate anonymization may include:

Removing names and identifying details Using pseudonyms or participant codes Aggregating demographic information Redacting organizational identifiers Removing metadata from images/files

Anonymization should preserve participant privacy without compromising the scientific integrity of the research.

Confirmation During Submission

During manuscript submission, authors must confirm that:

  • Appropriate informed consent has been obtained where required
  • Participant confidentiality has been protected
  • Ethical approval has been obtained when applicable
  • The research complies with institutional/national ethical requirements
  • Necessary permissions have been secured for identifiable information

The Editorial Office may request documentation confirming ethical approval or informed consent during assessment. To protect participant confidentiality, authors should not submit signed consent forms unless specifically requested.

Editorial Assessment

Editors may request clarification when a manuscript contains potentially identifiable information or raises questions regarding participant privacy. The Editorial Office may request:

  • Additional information regarding informed consent procedures
  • Clarification regarding anonymization methods
  • Evidence of institutional ethics approval where applicable
  • Confirmation that organizational permissions have been obtained

Failure to provide satisfactory documentation may result in suspension of editorial review until the matter is resolved.

Post-Publication Privacy Concerns

If concerns arise after publication regarding participant privacy or informed consent, the Editorial Office will investigate the matter in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics Policy. Depending on the circumstances, the journal may:

Request correction or anonymization Publish a correction or editorial notice Issue an Expression of Concern Retract the article (if privacy cannot be protected) Remove content due to legal/ethical obligations

Editorial actions will seek to protect participant rights while preserving the integrity of the scholarly record whenever possible.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

  • Participation in the research was voluntary
  • Appropriate informed consent procedures were followed
  • Participant confidentiality has been maintained
  • Personal information is published only when ethically justified and appropriately authorized
  • Consent documentation is securely retained in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulations
  • All ethical requirements have been satisfied before manuscript submission

Authors remain responsible for responding to any questions concerning participant consent after publication.

Commitment to Ethical Research

The Review of Economics, Accounting, Business, and Management Studies (REABMS) is committed to promoting ethical research practices that respect the autonomy, dignity, privacy, and rights of research participants. By requiring appropriate informed consent procedures and safeguarding confidential information throughout the publication process, the journal supports responsible scholarship, protects participant welfare, and strengthens public confidence in published research. These principles contribute to the integrity, credibility, and ethical dissemination of research across multidisciplinary disciplines.

This policy is informed by the guidance and best practices of: