In short: Research with human participants, their data or samples normally needs approval from an independent ethics committee before it starts, and journals ask you to report it. A good statement names the committee, gives the approval or reference number, says how consent was obtained, and explains any exemption or waiver. Consent to take part is not the same as consent to publish identifiable details. Report only what actually happened.
By On Time Publication Editorial Team · Last updated 15 October 2026
The ICMJE says human research should follow the Declaration of Helsinki as revised in 2024, that authors should seek approval from an independent local, regional or national review body, such as an ethics committee or institutional review board, and that they should be ready to provide documentation when editors ask. Approval does not stop editors from forming their own judgement (ICMJE).
The Declaration of Helsinki, amended in October 2024, says the protocol must be submitted to the research ethics committee for approval before the research begins, and that consent should be formally documented on paper or electronically (WMA). COPE's Code of Conduct, published on 21 July 2026, commits member journals and publishers to ensuring that published research was approved by appropriate ethics committees where applicable and that appropriate consent was in place (COPE).
Springer says that even when a study uses data or material that already exists, ethics approval may still be required depending on national law and ethical guidelines, so authors should check with their institution. Its examples of waiver wording name the committee that waived approval and give the reason, such as the retrospective nature of the study. The Declaration of Helsinki says that where consent is impossible or impracticable, secondary research on stored data or material may be done only after a research ethics committee has considered and approved it. Springer also warns that approval usually cannot be obtained retrospectively once a study has begun, and that the editor may then decline to send the paper for peer review.
We do not describe the rules of any particular country. Ask your institution's ethics committee or research office what applies to your study.
The ICMJE says identifying information, such as names, initials or hospital numbers, should not be published unless it is essential and the patient, parent or guardian gives written informed consent for publication, which requires showing them the manuscript. It adds that masking the eye region in photographs is inadequate protection of anonymity, and that when informed consent has been obtained, it should be stated in the published article. Springer notes that people may agree to take part but object to their data being published, so consent to publish should be sought before submission, especially for case studies. For case reports, see how to publish a case report.
It depends on the journal. PLOS One asks for ethics statements in the Methods section. Springer journals ask for a "Declarations" section before the references, with headings such as Ethics approval, Consent to participate and Consent to publish, and "Not applicable" under any heading that does not apply. Some journals also collect declarations in the online submission system, so check that every version matches; see the cover letter guide for what belongs in the letter.
The approvals, consents and statements are yours: only the authors can say what was approved and how consent was obtained, and we never create or alter approval documents. Through medical manuscript editing, our team of qualified researchers and subject-specialist editors with publishing experience checks that ethics approval, informed consent, trial registration (if relevant) and conflict-of-interest statements are present and clearly worded, and flags missing items for you to add. Submission is guided, or done by us only with the corresponding author's explicit authorisation. We work with Word, LaTeX, PDF and other files, offer Arabic support and an NDA on request, and work in Gulf and Jordan business hours. We give a custom quote based on word count, field and deadline after a free assessment, and we agree turnaround per quote. You can pay by Stripe, PayPal or bank transfer in USD, GBP, SAR, AED, JOD and other currencies; itemised invoices are available on request. Clients also get free, ongoing revision and resubmission support until the paper is published. This is support, not a promise of publication. Acceptance is always decided by the journal's editors and peer reviewers.
Independence: On Time Publication is not affiliated with Elsevier/Scopus, Clarivate/Web of Science, COPE, the ICMJE, the US National Library of Medicine (NLM), the World Medical Association, PLOS, Springer Nature or any journal or publisher named on this page. We have no office in the GCC or Jordan. We link to public guidance so you can check it yourself.
The full name of the approving committee and institution, the approval or reference number, the ethical standard followed, such as the Declaration of Helsinki, and the reason for any exemption or waiver.
They may. Springer says approval may still be required for studies of existing data, depending on national law and guidelines. Ask your institution's ethics committee, and report any waiver with the reason.
Usually not. Springer says retrospective approval usually cannot be obtained once a study has started, and the editor may decline to review the paper. The Declaration of Helsinki requires approval before research begins.
Consent to participate covers taking part in the study. Consent to publish covers publishing identifiable details, such as images or case descriptions. Springer notes that participants may agree to one but not the other.
Some journals accept it. PLOS One asks you to explain why written consent could not be obtained, confirm the ethics committee approved oral consent, and say how it was documented.
It depends on the journal and your institution. Springer journals say case reports require ethics approval, but requirements differ between journals and institutions. Patient consent for publication is usually needed.
It depends on the journal: PLOS One asks for them in the Methods, while Springer journals use a Declarations section before the references.
No. Only the authors can state what was approved and how consent was obtained. We check that your statements are present and clearly worded, and flag anything missing.
We link to official sources so you can check the rules yourself. Always follow your target journal's and institution's current instructions.
Send us your manuscript with its ethics and consent statements and your target journal, and we will explain in a free assessment how we can help.
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