Image manipulation

Within IOP Publishing, we perform visual and technology-assisted checks on submission to detect the inappropriate presentation of images. Any changes made to images such as changes to the contrast, colour or brightness must be declared during submission and within the text of the manuscript. Alterations made to the images should not affect the information illustrated in the figures and should not change any image to the extent a viewer would reach a different conclusion because of the edits. Images should always have clear captions, with information such as scale bar length included where necessary. 

Changes made to the brightness, contrast, magnification, etc, of one image in a figure should be applied equally to all images of the same type in the same figure, and should be declared unambiguously in the text, ideally in the caption. 

Editing images for aesthetics/beautification should be avoided unless necessary. If any form of image processing is legitimately required for the interpretation of the data, the software and the enhancement technique must be declared in the methods section of the manuscript. It is good practice when images have been substantially processed to provide the original unedited images in the Supplementary Information, or in an accessible repository linked to from the paper. 

All image manipulation concerns will be investigated by the Research Integrity team within IOP Publishing according to COPE guidelines.  If authors fail to provide original images and address our concerns, the submission will be rejected if still in peer review. If the paper has already been published, we will take corrective action as appropriate.