What is the goal of a conflict of interest management plan?

The goal of a conflict of interest management plan is to provide procedures to minimize the risk of bias when a conflict of interest (COI) is disclosed. Such management plans are essential in upholding the integrity of the research process and ensuring that the findings are credible and trustworthy. When a researcher has a potential conflict, there is a risk that their personal interests may unduly influence the research outcomes. The management plan outlines specific actions that can be taken to mitigate these risks, which may include monitoring the research process, requiring additional oversight, or informing participants about the potential conflicts. This systematic approach ensures that the research remains objective and that any findings are based on sound scientific evidence rather than personal interests.

Other choices don't encapsulate the comprehensive intent of a COI management plan: reducing the IRB review burden or eliminating all COIs outright does not account for the complexities of research ethics and practical realities, and addressing disclosures in multi-center research is a limited application rather than the overarching goal of managing bias in research.