Mission
COPE is a forum for editors of peer-reviewed journals to discuss issues related to the integrity of the scientific record; it supports and encourages editors to report, catalogue and instigate investigations into ethical problems in the publication process.

Formed in 1997, the Committee on Publication Ethics' (COPE) major objective is to provide a sounding board for editors who were struggling with how best to deal with possible breaches in research and publication ethics.

COPE has adopted a formal constitution, in recognition of its growing support among publishers, practising physicians, authors, editors and all those involved in the teaching of medicine and scientific research

Cases are discussed at quarterly COPE meetings and via written submission to the committee; advice is offered through correspondence.

COPE's work was extended after preliminary discussions with the ethics committee of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) to include:

Some of these issues are addressed in anonymous cases submitted to COPE. They illustrate particular aspects of the complexities of publication ethics. They also provide a framework for tackling this pervasive and pernicious form of research misconduct.

Harvey Marcovitch – Chair
Syndication Editor, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd

Sabine Kleinert – Vice-Chair
Executive Editor, The Lancet

Jeremy Theobald – Treasurer
Executive Editor, Emerging Health Threats Forum

Elizabeth Wager – Secretary
Publications Consultant, Sideview

Richard Green – Ombudsman
Consultant Psychiatrist

Linda Gough – Administrator

Members of Council

Tim Albert
Writer and trainer

Virginia Barbour
Managing Editor, PLoS Medicine

Trish Groves
Deputy Editor, BMJ

Charlotte Haug
Editor, Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association

Richard O'Hagan
Solicitor

Margaret Rees
Editor, Journal of the British Menopause Society

David Rew
Editor in chief, European Journal of Surgical Oncology

Daniel Sokol
Lecturer in Ethics, St George's, University of London

Pritpal S Tamber
Managing Director, Medicine Reports Ltd

Steve Yentis
Editor, Anaesthesia

[COPE constitution]

[List of Members]