Conflict of Interest Management Guidelines Bylaws Q&A

Q1: What is a Conflict of Interest (COI)?

A: This is a situation in which two interests arise simultaneously in an individual researcher: public interest in the results of nursing research and projects carried out by Society members, directors, and other officers as employees of universities, medical institutions, etc. and returned to society, and private interest (money, position, interest, etc.) arising from such activities with commercial entities such as companies, etc. The term "research" refers to a situation in which two interests are simultaneously generated within an individual researcher.

Q2: Why is conflict of interest an issue when conducting research through industry-academia collaboration?

A: When conducting research involving human subjects, the researcher has the responsibility to protect human rights and lives and to conduct the research safely, and to demonstrate the credibility of the research results. On the other hand, when conducting industry-academia collaborative activities, there are also obligations to funding and interest providers. If these obligations or conflicts of interest over a single researcher become serious, the human rights of research subjects and the safety and security of their lives may be impaired, and research methods, data analysis, and interpretation of results may be distorted. In addition, it is also possible that the results of appropriate research may not be evaluated fairly. Research conducted in industry-academia collaboration almost always has the inherent potential for conflict of interest. Therefore, in order to protect the human rights and safety of research subjects, to maintain the publication of research results and their openness and neutrality, to contribute to the advancement of nursing science and nursing practice, and to protect the positions of researchers and companies with which they collaborate, etc., it is necessary to manage conflict of interest (COI ) status must be properly managed.

Q3: What is the intent of the guidelines regarding conflicts of interest (COI)?

A: The Conflict of Interest (COI) guidelines are designed to promote nursing research through industry-academia collaboration with the understanding and cooperation of society, and to ensure the fairness and transparency of research by requiring members involved in nursing research to disclose their financial interests with companies, corporate organizations, etc. under certain requirements, thereby ensuring the human rights and safety of subjects and The purpose is to evaluate research while protecting the human rights and safety of subjects, and to fulfill accountability to society.

Q4: What are the benefits of self-reporting a conflict of interest (COI) status?

A: Generally speaking, when COI-related content becomes a social problem, it is often the result of whistle-blowing at the affiliated research institution or suggestions from the mass media. If the COI status is appropriately and accurately reported, the Society will be able to respond appropriately to unjustified slander against Society members. In addition, by appropriately disclosing the COI status of individual members of the Society, the possibility of obtaining a fair evaluation will be increased.

Q5: Conflicts of interest are managed at the institution/facility to which the researcher belongs. Why do I also have to report my conflict of interest (COI) status to the Japanese Society of Nursing Science?

A: Many of the Society's members conduct nursing research at their own institutions and facilities, and in many cases, the research results obtained are published in contributed papers and conference presentations. Research conducted in industry-academia collaboration involves two stages, implementation and publication, and each requires transparency and openness. Since the Japan Academy of Nursing Science serves as a forum for the publication of research conducted through industry-academia collaboration, the Society is also required to disclose its conflict of interest (COI) status. In addition, the guidelines and detailed regulations concerning conflict of interest (COI) of the Society require disclosure of the state of conflict of interest (COI) of all activities conducted by the Society and of those involved in such activities through self-reporting. This is intended to clarify the social and ethical positions and responsibilities of those involved in the Society. The management of conflicts of interest at the Society protects the self-reported members and officers of the Society, and at the same time, maintains the social trust of the Society.

Q6: Can I avoid legal liability if I follow the guidelines and detailed regulations regarding conflict of interest (COI) of the Japanese Society of Nursing Science?

A: These guidelines and bylaws have been established to ensure the fairness and neutrality of academic activities. They are not intended to avoid any legal liability for individual researchers, and compliance with them does not necessarily mean that they will not be held legally liable. There is a possibility that you may be held legally liable for the truthfulness of the contents of your declaration, acquisition of undeclared profits, or problems that occur after the deadline for retention of the declaration has passed.

Q7: I get the impression that it is not a good idea to have companies provide funding for conducting and presenting nursing research. Does this mean that the Japanese Society of Nursing Science does not encourage research and activities in collaboration with industry and academia?

A: We recognize that industry-academia collaboration is an important activity as one way to return research results to society. There is nothing wrong with receiving funding or legitimate remuneration from companies to promote research. We believe that it is important for academic organizations such as the Society and the institutions and facilities to which the members of the Society, as researchers, belong to ensure transparency and an accurate understanding of the fact of their conflict of interest status, which will lead to the sound promotion of industry-academia collaboration.

Q8: Will the academic society investigate the authenticity of the declaration?

A: Since the issue of authenticity is a matter of the reporter's own conscience and self-responsibility as a researcher, in principle, no investigation will be conducted. However, if a serious COI situation regarding a conflict of interest arises, or if it is pointed out that a COI report is inappropriate, an investigation may be conducted and remedial measures, etc. may be requested based on this investigation.

Q9: Are research funds received from the national or local government, such as Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and Grants-in-Aid for Health and Labour Science Research, subject to tax reporting?

A: You do not have to declare it, but when you present your paper in an academic journal or at an academic meeting, please include the name of the funding agency and a statement to that effect in the "Acknowledgments" section at the end of the paper (before the references) or at the end of your slide or poster.

Q10: The conflict of interest (COI) status to be declared is from the past year to the present. If I received a research grant from a company or commercial organization, but more than one year has passed before the submission, do I have to report my conflict of interest (COI) status?

A: During the trial period, if more than one year has passed in the past, it is not subject to filing. However, the number of years may be reviewed during the full implementation phase.

Q11: If there is a conflict of interest (COI) situation with a company or for-profit organization that far exceeds the standards, can I make a presentation at a scientific meeting?

A: Even if you have a high personal income, it does not mean that you cannot give a presentation. By disclosing your COI status appropriately at the time of presentation, the evaluation of the content of your presentation will be left to the participating audience. Naturally, the presenter is required to be neutral and open about the content of the presentation.

Q12: If a non-member is invited to a special lecture, symposium, luncheon seminar, etc. of the Society, are the guidelines on conflict of interest of the Japanese Society of Nursing Science applied?

A: Although the guidelines are intended for members of the Society, non-members who are invited to special lectures, symposiums, luncheon seminars, etc., are also invited to participate in the business of the Society, and since the subjects of these lectures and symposiums are members of the Society and have a great social influence, they are required to disclose their conflict of interest status at the time of presentation, just as members are Therefore, they are required to disclose their conflict of interest status at the time of presentation, just as members are.

Q13: Why are all jointly-named presenters required to self-report their conflict of interest (COI) status with respect to their abstract presentations when they give presentations or lectures at the Society's scientific meetings or related seminars?

A: Until FY2023, only the first presenter was required to submit a report, but in order to ensure fairness and transparency of the research, jointly named presenters are also required to submit a report. Other academic societies also include not only the first presenter but also all jointly named presenters in their reports, and we have decided to do the same.

Q14: I receive more than one million yen in manuscript fees from nursing publishers. Do I need to declare as a member if I want to publish an article in an academic journal or present an abstract at a scientific meeting?

A: You need to make a declaration only if your research is related to the content of the conference presentation or paper submission.

Q15: When do I report my conflict of interest (COI) status if I make a presentation in a journal or at an academic meeting?

A: Please register a COI self-report at the time of submission for publication in the journal and at the time of abstract submission for presentation at the annual meeting from "Member My Page". Please register a conflict of interest (COI) self-report from Member My Page for joint presenters as well. If you are including a non-member as a co-presenter when submitting an abstract, please submit a COI self-report on My Page as soon as possible after your membership is renewed.

Q16: What will the society do if a presenter at an academic meeting, etc. has a conflict of interest (COI) status that exceeds the standard, but fails to properly disclose the COI, or if a member who makes a false declaration is accused by society?

A: If a presenter's conflict of interest (COI) status becomes a serious social issue and is slandered in the absence of appropriate COI disclosure, the Society will not be able to fulfill its accountability to society and will be asked to deal with the issue as an individual problem. And if it is determined that there is a serious violation of the guidelines, action will be taken according to the degree of the violation. If the issue results in damage to the social credibility or authority of the Society, etc., it is expected that the Society will consider taking action or disciplinary measures accordingly.