The journal editor is a leading researcher in this form of treatment. He/she therefore has a clear conflict of interest in deciding whether to submit, as an author, a report of original research to his own journal. He/she wishes to establish a means of dealing with this conflict of interest, and would value the experience and advice of COPE.

The issue here basically revolves around whether it is acceptable for editors to publish their own work in their journals; if it is, then the review process must be made transparent and rigorous.

Final decisions for the publication of such articles will be taken by other editorial board members  who do not have a conflict of interests with the authors.