Statement of Informed Consent

Authors submitting manuscripts to the International Journal of Insect and Animal Diversity Research are expected to comply with the highest ethical standards regarding informed consent. By submitting their research, authors affirm that explicit informed consent has been obtained from all participants involved in the study. This specifically applies to studies involving animals, including their handling, observation, and any experimental procedures, as well as any human interactions or data collection related to insect and animal diversity.

Informed consent must be based on a comprehensive understanding of the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, benefits, and the voluntary nature of participation. For studies involving live animals, this implies adherence to relevant ethical guidelines for animal welfare and research. Participants (if human) should be made fully aware of their right to withdraw from the research at any point, without any adverse consequences.

It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure that the informed consent process is carried out ethically, with full respect for the autonomy and privacy of the participants. Authors must also ensure that any identifying information is anonymized or removed to safeguard participants' confidentiality. For animal studies, this includes obtaining appropriate institutional approvals and adhering to established animal care protocols.

In cases where informed consent is not required, such as research involving publicly available datasets or non-invasive observational studies that do not disturb natural habitats or animal welfare, authors must provide a clear and reasonable justification for this exemption, while ensuring that all other ethical standards are met.

The International Journal of Insect and Animal Diversity Research reserves the right to request documentation or proof of the informed consent process during the manuscript review. Failure to comply with these ethical guidelines may result in the rejection of the manuscript.

By adhering to these principles, authors contribute to maintaining the ethical integrity of the research published in the International Journal of Insect and Animal Diversity Research.