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Basic Technical IVT Commonly tested

Competing Interest Verification

noun

Pronunciation: /kəmˈpɪtɪŋ ˈɪntərɪst ˌvɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

An editorial process that confirms authors have accurately disclosed all financial, personal, and institutional relationships that could bias their research or cloud judgment. This involves cross-referencing disclosures against external funding databases and institutional records.

Plain English

Checking that authors have honestly reported any financial connections or relationships that might influence their research.

Etymology & History

Origin languageLatin, Latin, Latin
Rootcompetere (to strive together) + interesse (to be between) + verificare (to make true)
First recorded use1990s
Usage frequencyCommon

Usage

"Competing interest verification revealed undisclosed pharmaceutical funding that led to editorial investigation."

Style guide notes: Use active voice when describing editorial actions; specify which databases were consulted in documentation.

Also known as

conflict verification interest disclosure review bias assessment

Contrasted with

undisclosed bias conflict concealment

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What sources do editors check during competing interest verification?

Funding databases, institutional records, clinical trial registries, and publicly available financial disclosure documents.

What happens if verification reveals undisclosed conflicts?

The manuscript may be rejected, retracted, or flagged with correction notices pending author explanation.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Critical for assessing editorial rigor and journal adherence to research integrity standards.

Required skill level: Mid

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON