Competing Interest Statement
nounPronunciation: /kəmˈpɪtɪŋ ˈɪntərəst ˈsteɪtmənt/
A formal declaration by authors disclosing any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could bias their research or interpretation of results. Journals require this statement to maintain transparency and allow readers to assess potential conflicts.
Plain English
An author's written statement about any money, relationships, or interests that might influence their research.
Etymology & History
Usage
"All authors must submit a competing interest statement as part of the manuscript submission package."
Style guide notes: Use 'Competing Interests' or 'Conflicts of Interest' consistently; follow journal's preferred terminology.
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a competing interest requiring disclosure?
Financial support, employment, patents, stock ownership, or personal relationships with funders or competitors.
What if an author has no competing interests?
Authors must still submit a statement explicitly declaring they have no competing interests to maintain transparency.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Fundamental for evaluating understanding of research ethics and editorial transparency requirements.
Required skill level: Junior