Editors are responsible for supporting fair, timely, confidential, and scientifically grounded editorial decisions. Editors should act independently and avoid discrimination based on nationality, gender, ethnicity, institutional affiliation, career stage, or other irrelevant characteristics.
Editorial Responsibilities
• Assess manuscripts for scope, quality, originality, and ethical suitability.
• Select reviewers with appropriate expertise and independence.
• Manage conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts and reviewer information.
• Make decisions based on scientific and ethical considerations rather than commercial interests.
• Ensure that revisions and appeals are handled consistently.
• Escalate suspected misconduct or serious ethical concerns.
• Maintain accurate editorial records.
Conflicts of Interest
Editors should not handle manuscripts involving close collaborators, family members, institutional conflicts, financial interests, or other circumstances that could reasonably affect impartiality. A suitable independent editor should be assigned where necessary.
Decision-Making
Editorial decisions should be supported by the manuscript’s scientific content, reviewer feedback, ethical considerations, and journal policy. Editors should not accept or reject manuscripts solely because of the authors’ identity, institution, country, or perceived prestige.
Confidentiality
Editors must protect confidential manuscript information and should not use unpublished material for personal research or advantage without written permission from the authors.
Post-Publication Responsibilities
Editors should respond appropriately to credible concerns about published work, including corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, and potential research misconduct.