At ISR Publisher, editors play a crucial role in ensuring the quality, integrity, and efficiency of the peer-review and publication process. These guidelines serve as a framework to uphold our commitment to academic excellence, transparency, and ethical publishing.
1. Editorial Responsibilities
- Manuscript Assessment: Editors must ensure that submitted manuscripts fall within the journal’s scope and meet basic quality standards before initiating peer review.
- Peer Review Coordination: Assign qualified, impartial reviewers and oversee a double-blind peer review process.
- Decision Making: Make fair and timely editorial decisions (acceptance, revision, or rejection) based on reviewers’ comments and scientific merit.
- Confidentiality: Treat all manuscript-related information as confidential and refrain from using unpublished material for personal research.
2. Ethical Oversight
- Integrity and Objectivity: Maintain objectivity, avoid bias, and make decisions based solely on academic merit, regardless of authors’ nationality, race, gender, or institutional affiliation.
- Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest and avoid handling manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
- Plagiarism and Misconduct: Act promptly in suspected cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices. Report concerns to the ISR ethics committee.
3. Reviewer Management
- Selection: Choose reviewers with appropriate expertise and a track record in the manuscript’s subject area.
- Monitoring: Ensure timely and quality reviews. Follow up with reviewers who delay or provide inadequate feedback.
- Anonymity: Preserve the confidentiality and anonymity of both authors and reviewers throughout the peer-review process.
4. Editorial Communication
- With Authors: Communicate decisions clearly and constructively. Provide authors with detailed feedback based on reviewers’ evaluations.
- With Reviewers: Guide reviewers with clear expectations and timelines. Acknowledge their contribution to the journal.
- With Editorial Board: Collaborate with fellow editors and the Editor-in-Chief to uphold consistency and policy adherence.
5. Decision Timeliness
- Editors are expected to manage manuscripts efficiently, aiming to complete the initial review process within 4 to 6 weeks.
- Any delays should be communicated to authors promptly, with a clear explanation and new expected timelines.
6. Continuous Improvement
- Stay updated with current trends in scholarly publishing, peer review practices, and ethical guidelines (e.g., COPE standards).
- Participate in ISR Publisher meetings, training sessions, and editorial discussions when available.
7. Post-Publication Duties
- Assist in addressing post-publication issues such as correction notices, retractions, or author inquiries.
- Promote high-quality publications through academic networks and professional platforms.
