Ethics and Compliance

At the heart of our publishing process is a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards. As an editor, your role is crucial in ensuring that the editorial workflow aligns with these principles. This section outlines the ethical responsibilities and best practices editors must follow to maintain the integrity of the publication process.

  1. Conflict of Interest Management
  • Disclosure: Promptly disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether personal, financial, or professional, that may affect editorial decisions.
  • Avoidance: Recuse yourself from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists to ensure impartiality.
  1. Preventing Bias
  • Objective Decision-Making: Evaluate manuscripts solely based on academic merit, relevance, and originality, irrespective of the authors' identity, institutional affiliation, or geographic location.
  • Inclusivity: Strive to ensure that decisions are free from any form of discrimination, promoting a diverse and equitable academic platform.
  1. Confidentiality
  • Manuscript Privacy: Treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Do not share their content or discuss them with anyone outside the editorial team, reviewers, and the authors as appropriate.
  • Reviewer Anonymity: Protect the anonymity of reviewers, unless they have agreed to disclose their identity.
  1. Ethical Oversight
  • Plagiarism and Misconduct: Vigilantly screen for and address cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other unethical practices. Collaborate with reviewers and the editorial office to investigate concerns.
  • Compliance with Standards: Ensure that submitted works adhere to ethical research and publication standards, including human subject research approvals or data-sharing agreements where applicable.
  1. Fair and Transparent Processes
  • Clear Communication: Maintain open and transparent communication with authors and reviewers, providing clear guidelines and updates throughout the review and decision-making processes.
  • Documentation: Keep detailed records of editorial decisions and communication to provide accountability and traceability.
  1. Continuous Training and Awareness
  • Stay informed of evolving ethical standards and guidelines, such as those outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
  • Participate in training programs or discussions on ethical publishing practices to strengthen your editorial oversight.

Adhering to these ethical principles not only protects the integrity of our publications but also fosters trust and credibility among authors, reviewers, and readers. For additional resources or support on ethical concerns, please contact the editorial office.