Ethics and Logical Policies

RxHarun.com is dedicated to providing insightful, accurate, and ethically produced content to its diverse audience. In recognition of the responsibility that comes with public engagement and digital publishing, this Ethics Policy Guidelines document has been developed to outline the core values and principles that will guide our operations, content production, and interactions with our audience and partners.

This policy is designed to ensure that every piece of content, every advertisement, every user interaction, and every piece of data handled by rxharun.com adheres to the highest ethical standards. By implementing these guidelines, we affirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, fairness, and respect for all stakeholders, including readers, contributors, advertisers, and partners.

In the following sections, we will detail the core principles that underpin our ethical framework, establish clear guidelines for content and data practices, outline the responsibilities of our staff and contributors, and explain the mechanisms for oversight and continuous improvement. This document is not only a declaration of our values but also a practical tool for decision-making and conflict resolution within our organization.

Guiding Principles

At the heart of our ethics policy lie several guiding principles that serve as the foundation for all operations on rxharun.com:

 Integrity and Honesty

• Transparency in Actions and Reporting: All content, communications, and representations made on rxharun.com must be truthful and based on verifiable information. We commit to disclosing any potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that our processes remain open to scrutiny.

• Authenticity: All original research, analyses, and content must be presented without distortion or manipulation. Contributors are expected to provide honest accounts of facts and ensure that any corrections or updates are communicated promptly and clearly.

Respect and Fairness

• Respect for Individuals: Every visitor, contributor, and stakeholder should be treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination, harassment, or any form of exclusionary behavior is not tolerated.

• Equitable Treatment: Whether engaging in community discussions or publishing content, we pledge to be fair and objective, giving due weight to diverse perspectives and avoiding bias.

Accountability and Responsibility

• Ownership of Content: Every member of the rxharun.com team is responsible for ensuring that the content they produce meets these ethical guidelines. Any error or lapse in judgment must be acknowledged and rectified as soon as possible.

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: We commit to following all applicable laws and regulations in our jurisdiction and internationally, particularly concerning data protection, copyright, and consumer protection.

Accuracy and Objectivity

• Evidence-Based Reporting: Content must be researched rigorously, and sources must be cited appropriately. The aim is to provide balanced perspectives and avoid sensationalism.

• Avoidance of Misinformation: Any information that is incorrect, misleading, or unverified should be either omitted or clearly labeled as opinion or speculation. Our commitment to factual accuracy is non-negotiable.

Confidentiality and Privacy

• User Data Protection: The privacy of our users is paramount. All data collected from visitors must be handled with the utmost care, stored securely, and used solely for legitimate purposes.

• Transparency in Data Usage: Users will be informed about what data is being collected, how it is being used, and who has access to it. Consent is fundamental to all our data practices.

Manuscript Preparation

Authors should follow Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, formerly known as “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts,” published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) when preparing their manuscripts for submission.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials submitted for consideration (i.e., any clinical study in which patients are randomized into two treatment groups OR are followed prospectively to compare two different treatments) must have been registered in a public trials registry such as www.clinicaltrials.gov at the beginning of the research before participant enrollment. Authors must also submit clinical trials results to a public trials registry (e.g., on www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Ethics Board Approval

Research studies should be carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Patient consent must be obtained for all human studies; this must be stated in the Methods section of the manuscript. If consent has not been obtained, an explanation must be included in the Cover Letter for review by the Editor. Authors are responsible for obtaining and retaining participant permission-to-treat documentation; this documentation should not be forwarded to the Journal in order to protect patient privacy in accordance with the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Research studies submitted for consideration must include a statement regarding Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval (or approval by similar ethics board) in the Methods section of the manuscript. If approval is not included, an explanation must be provided in the Cover Letter for review by the Editor.

Recognizable Patients and Participants

Authors are responsible for obtaining patient consent-to-disclose forms for all recognizable participants in photographs, videos, or other information that may be published in the Journals, in derivative works by the AAN, or on the Journals’ website. The consent-to-disclose form should indicate specific use (publication in the medical literature in print and online, with the understanding that participants and the public will have access) of the participant’s information and any images in figures or videos and must contain the participant’s signature or that of a legal guardian. The original form should be retained by the guarantor or corresponding author.

Reporting Guidelines

• Randomized Controlled Trials: Authors reporting results of Phase 1, Phase 2, or Phase 3 randomized controlled trials must submit a CONSORT checklist and flow diagram.
• Systematic Review or Meta-analysis: Authors reporting systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized trials must submit the PRISMA (previously named QUOROM) checklist.
• Diagnostic Accuracy: Authors reporting studies of the accuracy of diagnostic tests should provide the completed STARD checklist and flow diagram.
• Observational Studies: The STROBE checklist is required for cohort, case-controlled, and cross-sectional studies and all observational studies of human subjects as well as case series, pilot studies, genetic linkage studies, and retrospective data collection studies.
• Incidence and Prevalence Studies: The STROND checklist is required for incidence and prevalence studies in neuroepidemiology.
• Genetic Association Studies: Authors reporting genetic association studies must submit the STREGA checklist.
• Reporting Adverse Events: In case reports, authors should state whether they have reported serious adverse events to the manufacturer, US FDA, or other governmental regulatory agency.

Authorship

The Journals define an author as a person who has made a substantive intellectual contribution to the submitted manuscript. A substantive contribution includes one or more of the following: Design or conceptualization of the study; or analysis or interpretation of the data; or drafting or revising the manuscript for intellectual content.

All those qualifying for authorship must review all versions of the manuscript (they are provided via the journal tracking system to all authors) and give final approval of the version to be published, take responsibility for the conduct of the research, and indicate their individual contributions to the article on the Authorship Agreement form.

The Principal Investigator or Guarantor must have access to all the data and take responsibility for the data, accuracy of the data analysis, and the conduct of the research, and give opportunity for all authors to take part in writing and revision and to give final approval. During the peer review process, all authors are included in the correspondence with the Corresponding Author so that all can view all versions and suggest revisions.

Manuscripts submitted for publication must list all Authors, including the person who drafted the original manuscript or substantively answered reviewer comments and thus framed the discussions from an intellectual standpoint. The Journals consider ghostwriting (undisclosed authorship) unethical; all authorship needs to be disclosed. Professional writers employed by pharmaceutical companies or other academic, governmental, or commercial entities who have drafted or revised the intellectual content of the paper must be included as authors (this is an additional requirement to the ICMJE requirements, which we do to further increase transparency as these writers contribute to the interpretation of the concepts and data). “Guest” or “honorary” authorship based solely on position (e.g., research supervisor, department head) is not permitted. In addition, all authors must list their contributions to the study and the contributions are subsequently published, so that author roles, including those writers who wrote or revised the paper from an intellectual vantage, are differentiated in the published article.

Coinvestigators who do not qualify as authors but whose role is to collect data at study centers are listed in a Coinvestigators’ Appendix. Contributors who do not qualify for authorship according to the criteria are listed in the Acknowledgments along with their contributions.

The Corresponding Author must provide an explanation to the Editor if there is any change in authorship status (addition, omission, or author order) after manuscript submission. Letters of agreement from all authors of the manuscript (including the author who is being added or omitted or whose position is changed) must be provided to the Editor and forwarded to the editorial office.

The Journals require full disclosures (not only those relevant to a paper) of all authors and funding statements, published with each paper at the article level. In addition, each author must sign forms indicating their contributions to the paper for greater authorship transparency.

Scientific Misconduct and Breach of Publication Ethics

• Scientific misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism by the authors. This includes fraudulent manipulation of data and photographs.
• Breaches of publication ethics include failure to reveal financial conflicts of interest; omitting a deserving author or adding a non-contributing author; misrepresenting publication status in the reference list (erroneously claiming that a paper is “in-press”); self-plagiarism without attribution; and duplicate or redundant publication.
• Editorial action should be expected in breaches of publication ethics, cases of scientific misconduct, and embargo violations (see Embargo policy). The Journal is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any and all authors submitting a manuscript to the Journal agree to adhere to the ethical guidelines contained in the Information for Authors, and acknowledge that they are aware of the consequences that may result following breaches of publication ethics. Consequences include notification of the breach in the Journal, retraction of published articles, notification of institutional authorities, subsequent institutional investigation, and loss of privileges of publishing in the Journal.
• Redundant or duplicate publication is publication of data, tables, figures, or any other content that substantially overlaps with other material published previously or to be published in the future, either in print or online. This includes work published by others or any author of the manuscript submitted to the Journal. When submitting a paper, the Corresponding Author must make a full statement to the Editor in the Cover Letter about all submissions and previous reports (in any language) that might be regarded as redundant or duplicate publication of the same or very similar work. The Corresponding Author is also responsible for alerting the Editor if the work includes subjects about which a previous report has been published or about a manuscript that is under review by, submitted to, in press at, or to be submitted to or published in another journal or other published venue. Any such work should be referred to and referenced in the new paper and a copy of the material should be included with the submission as a supplemental file. Abstracts presented at scientific meetings (with no press releases and not discussed in detail at a symposium) and data provided as required to clinical trial registries are not considered pre-published material.
• Plagiarism is the use of others’ ideas or words without properly crediting the source. If authors include one or more sentences verbatim from another source, the original source must be cited and the sentence(s) put in quotation marks to avoid plagiarism. Authors must not use materials of others (text, figures, images, tables) without permission and attribution, including their own published work. See Miguel Roig, “Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing.”
• Overlap detection technology has been implemented by the Journal and a number of other journals in the form of iThenticate, a software tool created by CrossRef to check for overlap in submitted manuscripts. iThenticate detects possible plagiarism in text using an extensive database of published materials. (For more information on the software, see http://www.ithenticate.com/about.) Manuscripts with excessive duplication will be rejected. (Wording adapted from Baskin PK and Gross RA. Neurology 2013;80:2-4.)

Conflict of Interest/Disclosure Policy

The Journals comply with the position of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors on “Conflict of Interest.” Conflict of interest for authors is defined as “financial and other conflicts of interest that might bias their work.” In addition, the Journals have adopted the Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy of the American Academy of Neurology. This policy requires complete disclosure from all authors of all financial relationships or other competing interests that could be perceived as biasing the study whether or not this support was related to the subject of the manuscript. All authors’ financial relationships (and those of their immediate family members) from the past two years must be disclosed regardless of whether these relationships are related to the study described in the submitted manuscript. If the study period of the submitted manuscript exceeded two years, financial relationships relevant to the topic must also be disclosed for the entire duration of the study.

Full Author Disclosures are available by clicking on the “SHOW DISCLOSURES” link directly under the author byline on the article page of the Journal website. A footnote on Page 1 of each article alerts the reader to the disclosures at the end of the article.  The “full text of this article” phrase has the DOI-derived URL embedded in the PDF so that the reader can click directly to the article.

The Journal Editors and Editorial Board members have disclosed all conflicts of interest to the Editor of the Journal, who has resolved those as necessary to ensure that an Editor conflict of interest does not affect the review of any submission. Editorial Board disclosures are reviewed annually.

Sources of funding must be disclosed in the manuscript text. They are also included in a special section after the article content.

Peer Review Process

The Journals follow the COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Newly submitted manuscripts are initially reviewed by our Editors for appropriateness and timeliness. Manuscripts that are not rejected after this initial review are sent to two or more external peer review experts in the appropriate field(s). The identities of reviewers are never disclosed to the authors. The Journals require prospective reviewers to disclose any potential competing interests before agreeing to review a submission and they are reminded that the manuscript is confidential. The Editor reviews any reviewer’s competing interests and recuses that person from reviewing. Prior to requesting revisions, the Journals use iThenticate software to detect plagiarism.

Neurology^® and Neurology^® Clinical Practice offer Green and Gold Open Access to authors; editors and reviewers are blinded to this information throughout the peer-review process.

The Journals have an Ombudsperson. Appointed by the American Academy of Neurology Board of Directors, this person acts as a mediator between authors and the Editorial Office. The Ombudsperson can investigate editorial process issues including delays in peer review, challenges to publication ethics, and cases of editorial bias. The Ombudsperson will address the editorial process but will not handle complaints about the substance of editorial decisions, criticisms regarding editorial content, or accusations of scientific misconduct. Final decisions regarding rejection and acceptance are at the discretion of the Editor.

The Journals do not use reviewers suggested by the authors unless they are known Neurology^® Journals reviewers or an appropriate reviewer cannot otherwise be identified. If an author-suggested reviewer is invited to review, the suggested reviewer must be reachable by an institutional email address.

Content Guidelines

The quality and credibility of the content on rxharun.com are integral to our mission. To ensure this, we have established comprehensive guidelines regarding content creation, verification, and publication.

Originality and Plagiarism

• Original Work: All content must be original and reflect the genuine insights and expertise of the author. Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, is strictly prohibited.

• Attribution: Any use of third-party content, including quotes, images, or data, must be properly attributed. Permissions must be secured when necessary, and all sources must be clearly referenced.

Accuracy and Fact-Checking

• Rigorous Research: Authors and contributors are expected to conduct thorough research and present evidence-based information. Claims made in any article should be supported by reputable sources.

• Correction of Errors: When errors are identified—whether in published articles or ongoing content—prompt and transparent corrections must be made. A revision history or errata section should be maintained to keep readers informed.

Balanced Reporting

• Diverse Perspectives: We strive to include multiple viewpoints on issues, particularly those that are controversial or multifaceted. The goal is to provide a balanced perspective that enables readers to form their own informed opinions.

• Editorial Independence: Editorial decisions must remain free from undue influence from advertisers, sponsors, or political entities. Our content is driven solely by a commitment to truth and relevance.

Ethical Use of Visual and Multimedia Content

• Appropriate Imagery: All images, videos, and multimedia content used must be ethically sourced, and rights must be secured for their use. Content should not be manipulated to mislead viewers.

• Inclusive Representation: Visual content should represent a diverse range of communities and avoid perpetuating stereotypes. Inclusivity and respect for all individuals are paramount.

Avoidance of Harmful Content

• Content Warning: Sensitive topics or potentially triggering content should include appropriate warnings. Care must be taken to avoid graphic imagery or language that may cause undue distress.

• Community Standards: Content that promotes hate speech, incites violence, or is discriminatory in nature will be rejected. Our platform is dedicated to fostering a safe and constructive space for dialogue.

 Communication and Community Engagement Guidelines

Effective and respectful communication is central to building a strong community around rxharun.com. The following guidelines ensure that all interactions are constructive and inclusive.

Moderation and User Interaction

• Active Moderation: User-generated content, including comments and forum posts, will be moderated to ensure compliance with our ethical standards. Moderators are trained to identify and address hate speech, harassment, or any form of abusive behavior promptly.

• Constructive Engagement: We encourage healthy debates and constructive criticism. Users should be respectful when engaging with differing viewpoints, and inflammatory or abusive language will not be tolerated.

• Clear Policies: Community guidelines must be easily accessible, and the rules for participation should be communicated clearly to all users. Any violations will result in warnings, temporary bans, or permanent removal from the community.

Transparency and Feedback

• Open Communication Channels: RxHarun.com will provide clear channels for feedback and inquiries. Users should have a straightforward means to report ethical concerns or content they believe violates our guidelines.

• Responsive Action: All reports or feedback regarding potential ethical breaches will be reviewed promptly. Where necessary, follow-up communications will inform users about the steps taken to address their concerns.

 Conflict Resolution

• Internal Review: Any disputes regarding content or user interactions should first be addressed through internal review. A designated ethics committee or ombudsman may be established to handle these matters impartially.

• Mediation: For unresolved conflicts, mediation services may be employed to reach a fair resolution. The goal is to resolve issues transparently and justly, maintaining the integrity of our community.

Advertising, Sponsorship, and Commercial Content Guidelines

Maintaining the trust of our audience means being transparent about any commercial relationships that might influence content on rxharun.com. The following guidelines outline our policies in this area.

 Transparency in Advertising

• Clear Labeling: All advertisements, sponsored content, and affiliate links must be clearly labeled as such. There should be no ambiguity about which content is editorial and which is commercial.

• Separation from Editorial Content: Advertising and sponsored content should be distinctly separated from editorial content to avoid any perception of bias or undue influence on journalistic integrity.

Conflict of Interest

• Disclosure: Any potential conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed. Contributors must reveal any personal or financial relationships with advertisers or sponsors that might influence their content.

• Editorial Independence: Despite commercial relationships, editorial decisions must remain independent. Content should be guided by journalistic principles and the best interests of our readers rather than commercial gain.

Endorsements and Testimonials

• Authenticity: Endorsements and testimonials should be genuine and reflect the real opinions of users. Any incentivized or sponsored testimonials must be clearly disclosed.

• Compliance with Standards: All endorsements must comply with applicable laws and ethical standards, ensuring that claims are substantiated and not misleading.

Data Protection and Privacy Guidelines

Protecting user data and ensuring privacy is a cornerstone of our ethical commitment. The following policies detail how rxharun.com collects, stores, and uses personal data responsibly.

Data Collection and Consent

• Informed Consent: Users must be informed clearly about what data is collected, how it is used, and with whom it may be shared. Consent must be obtained before any data collection.

• Minimal Data Collection: We commit to collecting only the data that is necessary to provide a high-quality user experience. Excessive data collection is discouraged.

Data Security

• Robust Safeguards: All user data will be stored using secure, industry-standard encryption and other security measures. Regular audits will be conducted to ensure data integrity.

• Access Controls: Access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel only. Regular training is provided to ensure that all staff understand the importance of data security.

User Rights and Transparency

• Data Access: Users have the right to access, correct, or delete their personal data at any time. Clear procedures for data requests will be provided on the site.

• Incident Response: In the event of a data breach or security incident, users will be notified promptly, and measures will be taken to mitigate any potential harm.

Research, Attribution, and Correction Guidelines

As a platform dedicated to quality and truthful content, rxharun.com upholds strict policies regarding research integrity, proper attribution, and the prompt correction of errors.

Rigorous Research Practices

• Methodological Transparency: Authors must disclose the methods and sources used in their research. This includes detailed citations and explanations where applicable.

• Peer Review: Where feasible, articles may undergo an internal or external peer-review process to verify accuracy and provide feedback before publication.

Attribution and Citations

• Proper Credit: All ideas, data, and content derived from external sources must be clearly attributed. Proper citation practices must be followed to give due credit.

• Avoiding Plagiarism: The deliberate or accidental use of another’s work without appropriate acknowledgment is unacceptable. All contributors must verify that their work is original or properly credited.

Corrections and Retractions

• Error Correction: Mistakes identified in published content should be corrected as quickly as possible. An accessible corrections log should be maintained to ensure transparency.

• Retraction Policy: In cases where content is found to be significantly flawed or unethical, a formal retraction may be necessary. The process for retraction will be handled with full disclosure and accountability.

Ethical Use of Technology and Artificial Intelligence

With technological advancements rapidly changing how content is produced and disseminated, rxharun.com is committed to using technology responsibly and ethically.

Transparency in Automation

• Clear Disclosures: Any content generated or assisted by artificial intelligence must be clearly disclosed to readers. The role of AI in content creation should be transparent, ensuring that the human oversight behind every piece of content is evident.

• Algorithmic Fairness: Automated tools used in content curation, recommendations, or moderation must be designed to avoid biases. Regular audits of these systems will be conducted to ensure fairness and impartiality.

 Ethical AI Deployment

• Human Oversight: While automation can enhance efficiency, final editorial decisions should always involve human judgment. This ensures that ethical considerations are properly applied.

• Continuous Review: As technology evolves, so too must our ethical guidelines. Regular reviews of our technological practices will ensure that our methods remain ethical and aligned with current best practices.

Conflict Resolution and Reporting Mechanisms

To maintain our commitment to ethical practices, rxharun.com has established clear protocols for reporting and resolving ethical concerns.

Reporting Ethical Violations

• Accessible Reporting Channels: Users, staff, and contributors are encouraged to report any behavior or content that violates these guidelines. Multiple channels—such as email, online forms, and direct contact with an ethics officer—will be available.

• Anonymity and Protection: Reports can be submitted anonymously, and all individuals who report concerns will be protected from any form of retaliation. Confidentiality is paramount throughout the process.

 Internal Review Process

• Ethics Committee: A dedicated ethics committee will review all reported cases, ensuring an impartial and thorough investigation. This committee will consist of senior staff, external advisors, and, where appropriate, independent experts.

• Fair Process: Each case will be reviewed in accordance with established procedures. Decisions, as well as the rationale behind them, will be communicated clearly to all parties involved.

Resolution and Remediation

• Corrective Actions: Where a breach is confirmed, appropriate corrective actions will be taken. This may include public corrections, policy revisions, or disciplinary measures.

• Feedback Loop: The outcomes of ethical reviews will be used to refine our policies and practices continually. Lessons learned will be integrated into staff training and policy updates.

Continuous Improvement and Training

RxHarun.com believes that an ethical framework is not static but evolves in response to new challenges, insights, and societal expectations.

Ongoing Education

• Staff Training: Regular training sessions will be conducted to keep all employees and contributors up-to-date with the latest ethical standards, data protection practices, and content guidelines.

• Workshops and Seminars: We will host periodic workshops and seminars on ethics, inviting experts from various fields to provide insights and promote best practices.

Policy Review and Updates

• Regular Audits: Our ethics policy will be reviewed at least annually. These reviews will incorporate feedback from users, staff, and external experts to ensure that our policies remain relevant and effective.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Continuous dialogue with our community and stakeholders will help identify areas for improvement. We welcome suggestions and feedback to enhance our ethical framework.

Innovation and Adaptability

• Adapting to Change: As new ethical challenges emerge—whether from technological innovation or evolving societal norms—rxharun.com commits to adapting our guidelines accordingly.

• Proactive Measures: We will stay abreast of industry trends and legal developments to proactively update our practices, ensuring that we lead by example in ethical digital content production.

RxHarun.com’s commitment to ethical standards is not only a professional obligation but a cornerstone of our identity. By adhering to these detailed Ethics Policy Guidelines, we affirm our pledge to:

• Maintain Integrity: Ensuring that every aspect of our operations reflects honesty and authenticity.

• Respect Diversity: Upholding the dignity and rights of every individual, fostering an inclusive and supportive community.

• Champion Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions, continuously seeking improvement, and ensuring transparency in every decision.

• Promote Ethical Innovation: Using technology and data responsibly while keeping the human element central to our decision-making.

We recognize that these guidelines are a living document—a dynamic framework that will evolve in response to new challenges, opportunities, and insights. Every member of the rxharun.com community—from content creators and moderators to advertisers and readers—is invited to embrace these principles and contribute to a culture of ethical excellence.

This document is not only a set of rules but also a reflection of our core values. It outlines the standards we set for ourselves and the expectations we have of our community. In doing so, rxharun.com aims to be a trusted, reliable, and ethically sound platform that serves as a model for digital publishing and community engagement.

By adhering to these ethics guidelines, we commit to fostering an environment where truth, respect, and accountability are paramount—a space where every voice is valued and every action is guided by a firm ethical compass.