為了促進整體學術社群的進步，同儕審閱的期刊制度甚為必要，該制度能夠反映作者與出版機構的工作品質，對建立連貫、受人尊敬的知識網絡發展來說是重要的。經同儕審閱的文章，是符合寫作規範的倫理行為，支持並體現了科學方法。
以下是線上出版時須考慮的倫理議題
文章作者：論文作者應限於對研究概念、設計執行、詮釋有實質貢獻者，本刊鼓勵作者報告個別貢獻，以提升透明度。詳情可參閱CRediT author statement. https://www.elsevier.com/authors/journal-authors/policies-and-ethics/credit-author-statement
原創性與抄襲：作者應確保論文的原創性，如有使用他人作品或文字，應以學術格式適當註明或引用。
研究資料近用與保存：作者可能會被要求提供與論文相關之原始資料，以供編輯審查，並應於出版後提供公眾查詢相關研究資料的機會。
一稿多投：作者不應在多個期刊或正式刊物中發表高度相近的研究內容。先前以摘要形式發表、或原為學位論文之一部分、僅作為電子預印本發表（electronic preprint）等，則不在此限。(一稿多投實際認定標準，本刊參考國際學術出版集團Elsevier相關規定，FACTSHEET: Simultaneous submission
致謝：對他人的工作應予以適當致謝
揭露利益衝突：來稿必須披露所有可能被視為潛在利益衝突的關係。
更正出版論文之錯誤：當作者發現自己發表的作品中存在重大錯誤或不正確時，作者有義務即時通知期刊編輯或出版機構，並與編輯合作以更正、甚至撤回論文。
涉及人類及動物受試者之危害：若研究涉及具危險性的化學物、程序或設備，或以動物或人類為高風險的受試者，則須遵守研究倫理審查（IRB）相關說明。
使用病患影像或個案細節：對患者或志願者的個案研究須經相關倫理委員會的批准，事先獲得對方知情同意，並詳細記錄於論文中。 文章撤回：本刊不接受一稿多投的論文或已發表的論文，作者必須依照本刊體例寫作投稿。來稿一經接受，本刊將享有其刊登和出版的權利，作者不得把作品再投稿至其他刊物。若發現抄襲自他人、自我抄襲，或捏造數據與研究成果等相關違反學術倫理行為，一經本刊編輯委員會認定，文章將予以撤回，除在本刊網站上公告，並予以特定期限內禁止投稿處分。
Ethics
The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of work of the author and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior.
Below are ethics topics to consider when publishing:
Authorship of the paper: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. Transparency about the contributions of authors is encouraged, for example in the form of a CRediT author statement.
https://www.elsevier.com/authors/journal-authors/policies-and-ethics/credit-author-statement
Originality and plagiarism: The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the authors have used the work and/or words of others, that this has been appropriately cited or quoted.
Data access and retention: Authors may be asked to provide the raw data in connection with a paper for editorial review, and should be prepared to provide public access to such data.
Multiple, redundant or concurrent publication: An author should not in general publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication. Following uses of a work are not reviewed as prior publication: publication in the form of an abstract; publication as an academic thesis; publication as an electronic preprint. Information on prior publication can be further referred to FACTSHEET: Simultaneous submission
https://www.elsevier.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/653889/Simultaneous-Submission-factsheet-March-2019.pdf
Acknowledgement of sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given.
Disclosure and conflicts of interest: All submissions must include disclosure of all relationships that could be viewed as presenting a potential conflict of interest.
Fundamental errors in published works: When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his/her own published work, it is the author’s obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with the editor to retract or correct the paper.
Reporting standards: Authors of reports of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance.
Hazards and human or animal subjects: Statements of compliance are required if the work involves chemicals, procedures or equipment that have any unusual hazards inherent in their use, or if it involves the use of animal or human subjects.
Use of patient images or case details: Studies on patients or volunteers require ethics committee approval and informed consent, which should be documented in the paper.