Publication decisions

The journal's editors have the sole authority to determine which submitted articles will be published. This decision should be based on the article's validity, its relevance to researchers and readers, and compliance with all applicable legal requirements, including libel, copyright, and plagiarism. The editor may seek input from other editors or reviewers during this decision-making process.

Peer review

The editor bears the responsibility of upholding the fairness, impartiality, and timeliness of the peer review process. Research articles typically undergo evaluation by at least two external and independent reviewers. In instances where additional expertise is deemed necessary, the editor should seek further opinions.

The selection of reviewers shall be based on their suitability and expertise in the relevant field while ensuring appropriate representation from diverse backgrounds. To mitigate the risk of fraudulent peer reviews, the editor shall adhere to established best practices. The editor shall meticulously examine all disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and suggestions for self-citation made by reviewers to identify any potential biases.

Fair play

The editor must evaluate manuscripts based solely on their intellectual content, disregarding factors such as the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnicity, nationality, or political affiliations. When selecting potential editorial board members, the editor shall strive for a diverse and inclusive representation that reflects the journal's scope and readership.

The journal's editorial policies should emphasize transparency and promote comprehensive, honest reporting. Additionally, the editor should ensure that peer reviewers and authors have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and expectations. All journal communications shall be conducted through the journal's standard electronic submission system.

The editor shall establish a transparent appeal mechanism to address any grievances regarding editorial decisions.

Journal metrics

The editor must refrain from manipulating journal metrics in an attempt to artificially inflate the journal's ranking. Specifically, the editor shall not mandate the inclusion of citations to the journal's articles or any other publications unless it is justified by genuine scholarly reasons. Authors should not be compelled to incorporate references to the editor's personal works or products and services in which the editor holds a vested interest.

Confidentiality

The editor must maintain the utmost confidentiality of all material submitted to the journal and all communications with reviewers, unless explicit consent is obtained from the relevant parties. In extraordinary circumstances, the editor may divulge limited information to editors of other journals, institutions, or organizations that are investigating instances of research misconduct, provided it is deemed essential for the investigation of suspected ethical breaches. The journal adheres to a double-blind peer-review system, and the editor must safeguard the identities of reviewers.

Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be utilized in the editor's own research without the express written authorization of the author. Confidential information or ideas obtained through peer review must be maintained as confidential and not exploited for personal gain.

Declaration of competing interests

To ensure editorial impartiality, all potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed by the editor before taking office. Once appointed, the editor must recuse themselves from any decision-making regarding papers in which they, their family members, or close colleagues have authorship or vested interest, be it financial or otherwise. Such submissions will undergo the journal's standard peer review process completely independently of the editor and their associated research groups. Transparency requires a clear statement disclosing this conflict of interest prominently in any published paper authored by the editor or their affiliates.