Roles

Editor-in-Chief:

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for providing overall supervision and guidance for the editorial process. Their role involves ensuring the journal's editorial vision is upheld, coordinating with the editorial board members, and overseeing the quality and integrity of the published content. They play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the journal's reputation, making strategic decisions, and fostering collaborations within the scholarly community. The Editor-in-Chief also takes part in the selection and appointment of sectional editors and managing editors.

Sectional Editor:

Sectional Editors are assigned specific areas or topics within the journal's scope. They have expertise in their respective fields and are responsible for managing the editorial process within their designated sections. This includes soliciting and selecting manuscripts for review, identifying suitable peer reviewers, evaluating the reviewers' comments, and making decisions on manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection. Sectional Editors ensure the high quality and relevance of the published articles in their specific areas, and they collaborate closely with the Editor-in-Chief and other editorial board members.

Managing Editor:

The Managing Editor plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the journal. They are responsible for coordinating and overseeing the editorial workflow, ensuring that manuscripts progress smoothly through the review and publication process. This includes managing the submission system, communicating with authors regarding manuscript status and decisions, coordinating peer review activities, and assisting in the preparation of the final publication. The Managing Editor also collaborates with the Editor-in-Chief and Sectional Editors to enforce editorial policies, maintain consistency in the editorial process, and address any issues that may arise.

These roles and responsibilities collectively contribute to the efficient and effective management of the editorial process. They ensure the adherence to high editorial standards, promote the quality and integrity of published content, and facilitate the dissemination of valuable research within the scholarly community. The Editor-in-Chief, Sectional Editors, and Managing Editor work collaboratively to uphold the journal's mission and vision, foster academic excellence, and maintain the trust of authors, readers, and the broader research community.

Editorial Rights and Responsibilities

Editors hold certain rights and responsibilities within the editorial process, ensuring the integrity and quality of the journal's content. These include:

Decision-Making Authority: Editors have the ultimate authority to make decisions regarding the status of submitted articles. They carefully evaluate the manuscript's scientific rigor, relevance, and adherence to the journal's scope and editorial policies. Based on these considerations, editors determine whether a manuscript should be accepted, revised, or rejected.

Publication Autonomy: Editors have the right to publish articles that meet the journal's standards and contribute significantly to the field. They select manuscripts for publication based on their scholarly merit, originality, and importance to the scientific community. This autonomy allows editors to curate a collection of articles that align with the journal's mission and maintain its academic reputation.

Editorial Discretion: Editors exercise discretion in shaping the journal's content and editorial direction. They have the authority to determine the overall balance of topics, methodologies, and perspectives represented in the publication. Editors ensure a diverse range of research is published, fostering intellectual discourse and advancing the field.

Confidentiality and Peer Review: Editors respect the confidentiality of the peer review process. They ensure that all manuscripts and reviewer comments remain confidential until the publication process is complete. Editors maintain the anonymity of reviewers and protect the confidentiality of authors' work until publication.

Conflict of Interest: Editors must adhere to strict ethical guidelines and avoid any conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of the editorial process. They recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have personal, professional, or financial conflicts. Editors prioritize the impartial evaluation of manuscripts and maintain transparency in their decision-making.

Transparency and Accountability: Editors are accountable for their decisions and actions. They provide clear and constructive feedback to authors, explaining the basis for acceptance, revision, or rejection. Editors maintain transparency in their editorial practices, ensuring the consistency and fairness of the peer review process.

These rights empower editors to uphold the scholarly standards of the journal, maintain its reputation, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields. Editors exercise their authority responsibly, ensuring a rigorous and unbiased review process that promotes the publication of high-quality research.

Termination and Dismissal

The termination and dismissal procedures for editors are crucial aspects of the editorial policy. These procedures address issues, consequences, and the process involved in the removal of an editor from their position. The following considerations are important in this regard:

Grounds for Termination: The editorial policy should clearly outline the grounds for termination or dismissal of an editor. These grounds may include severe breaches of editorial ethics, violations of the journal's policies, conflicts of interest that compromise impartiality, academic misconduct, or repeated failure to meet the editorial responsibilities and expectations.

Decision-Making Authority: The authority to terminate or dismiss an editor generally lies with the publisher or the editorial board, depending on the journal's governance structure. The decision may be made by the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the editorial board or a designated committee responsible for overseeing the editorial process.

Due Process: Fairness and due process should be observed when initiating termination proceedings against an editor. This involves providing the editor with an opportunity to respond to any allegations or concerns raised and to present their case before a decision is made. The process may include conducting an investigation, gathering evidence, and allowing the editor to provide a written or verbal response.

Review and Evaluation: In cases where a termination decision is being considered, a comprehensive review of the editor's performance, conduct, and adherence to editorial policies should be conducted. This may involve assessing the editor's handling of manuscripts, interactions with authors and reviewers, and overall editorial decision-making. The review should be conducted objectively and impartially.

Notification and Communication: Once a decision to terminate an editor has been made, the affected editor should be promptly informed of the decision and the reasons behind it. The communication should be conducted professionally and respectfully, clearly outlining the specific concerns or violations that led to the decision. Confidentiality should be maintained throughout the process to protect the privacy of all parties involved.

Succession Planning: In cases of termination, the editorial policy should outline the succession planning process to ensure a smooth transition of editorial responsibilities. This may involve appointing an interim editor, identifying potential candidates for the vacant position, or reorganizing the editorial structure to maintain continuity in the journal's operations.

It is important for editorial policies to provide clear guidelines on termination and dismissal procedures to address potential misconduct, breaches of ethics, or performance issues by editors. By establishing a fair and transparent process, journals can uphold their editorial standards, maintain the trust of the scholarly community, and ensure the integrity of their publications.