COPE
Business Profile
Core Value Proposition
COPE provides guidance, resources, and membership for publication ethics in scholarly publishing.
Target Customer
Journal editors, publishers, researchers, universities and research institutes, and others involved in scholarly publishing who seek guidance, training, and community support on publication ethics.
Key Differentiator
Global membership organization offering a comprehensive suite of ethics resources (guidance, flowcharts, case database, eLearning), active member discussions (Topic discussions, COPE Forum), and a dedicated COPE Focus hub; ongoing AI ethics coverage and annual events like Publication Integrity Week.
Implementation Timeline
Immediate access to guidance, tools, and many resources upon membership or via public-facing content; eLearning and COPE Focus updates are ongoing with new content (e.g., AI ethics) as topics evolve. Specific case discussions and Forum events occur on defined schedules (e.g., COPE Forum on 29 September 2025).
Pain Points
- 1Need reliable, structured guidance on publication ethics and best practices for editors, journals, and publishers.
- 2Demand for practical tools to handle ethics issues (retractions, expressions of concern, editorial integrity) and real-world case discussions.
- 3Requirement for education/training and ongoing professional development in publication ethics (eLearning, forums, focused collections).
Key Features
- 1Guidance and tools: guidelines, flowcharts, discussion documents, and a database of cases for members.
- 2COPE Focus: topic-based, carefully chosen collections of resources (including AI ethics and other current topics).
- 3eLearning: introductory module for publication ethics with free access for non-members; ongoing learning resources.
- 4Community and events: COPE Forums for member discussion and case review; newsletters and events such as Publication Integrity Week.
- 5Membership directory and global network: searchable list of journals, publishers, individuals, corporate, and university/research institute members.
Target Customer Industries
Decision Makers
- 1Journal Editor
- 2Publisher
Client Results
- 1Improved adherence to publication ethics guidelines and processes within journals and publishing houses.
- 2Structured handling of ethical issues such as retractions, expressions of concern, and editorial integrity through established guidelines and case discussions.
- 3Ongoing professional development and updated practices through COPE Focus, guidance, and eLearning.
Competitive Advantages
- 1Large, global member base (over 15,000 members) providing a broad network and shared standards.
- 2Comprehensive, authoritative guidance across multiple formats (guidelines, flowcharts, case studies, eLearning).
- 3Active, real-time discourse through topic discussions and COPE Forum with case-based advice from Council and Members.
- 4Dedicated focus on emerging issues (e.g., artificial intelligence in publishing) within COPE Focus.
- 5Access to ongoing events and a public news/opinion stream for the latest developments in publication ethics.
Key Benefits
Case Studies & Success Stories
Case Handling ethics declarations based on an online decision tool
An NHS-based study is rejected over ethics review gaps, sparking debate on self-reporting tools and ethical oversight in clinical research publications.
Authors collecting social media data without group membersā consent
A journal faces complaints after a study used private Facebook group posts without consent, raising ethical concerns over privacy and research approval.
New author disagrees with their proposed placement in the author byline
Authorship disputes about order and placement in the byline.
Final publication of a manuscript is delayed over an authorship dispute
A proposed new co-author insists on a disputed byline position (last) versus others' agreement on a different order (eighth).
Additional Product Information
Product Description
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is a membership organization that provides guidance, tools, and a global network to promote integrity and high standards in scholarly publishing.
Target Market
Scholarly publishers, journals, editors, researchers, universities, research institutes, and organizations involved in publishing and disseminating research.
Unique Value Proposition
A global, membership-driven platform delivering comprehensive ethics guidance, practical tools, interactive discussions, and ongoing education to uphold integrity in scholarly publishing, with active coverage of emerging issues like AI and a broad community of practitioners.
Technical Requirements
Standard web access; membership login for full resources; some content (eLearning) available through the COPE platform; media content may require video playback.
Pricing Model
Not disclosed in the provided content; membership applications and resources exist, but explicit pricing is not shown.
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