At IKR Publishers, the editorial team plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality, integrity, and ethical standards of our publications. These guidelines provide a framework for editors to ensure a fair, transparent, and high-quality editorial process that upholds the mission and values of IKR Publishers.
1. Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for:
- Ensuring the quality, originality, and significance of published research.
- Managing the peer review process fairly and efficiently.
- Upholding ethical publishing standards and addressing any ethical concerns.
- Making unbiased editorial decisions based on scholarly merit.
- Maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of manuscript handling.
2. Editorial Decision-Making
- Manuscripts are initially screened for scope, originality, and ethical compliance.
- After desk review, suitable manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers.
- Editors evaluate reviewer reports and make final decisions based on academic merit, clarity, and relevance.
- Possible editorial decisions include:
- Accept as is – The manuscript meets all criteria for publication.
- Minor Revisions Required – The manuscript requires minor modifications.
- Major Revisions Required – The manuscript requires substantial improvements before reconsideration.
- Reject – The manuscript does not meet the journal’s publication standards.
3. Ethical Responsibilities
Editors must adhere to ethical principles, including:
- Fairness & Objectivity – Editorial decisions should be based solely on the manuscript’s scholarly value, regardless of the author’s background, institutional affiliation, or nationality.
- Confidentiality – Editors must not disclose manuscript details to anyone outside the review process.
- Conflict of Interest – Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have personal, financial, or professional conflicts of interest.
- Handling Misconduct – Any allegations of plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical research practices should be investigated and addressed in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
4. Peer Review Management
Editors must:
- Select qualified, impartial, and timely reviewers.
- Ensure the double-blind review process is followed, maintaining anonymity of both authors and reviewers.
- Monitor the review timeline to prevent delays in publication.
- Provide clear and constructive feedback to authors based on reviewers’ comments.
5. Handling Appeals and Complaints
- Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a formal request with justification.
- The editorial board will review appeals objectively and determine if a re-evaluation is warranted.
- Complaints about editorial processes or ethical concerns should be reported to the editor-in-chief for resolution.
6. Editorial Independence
Editors must:
- Maintain editorial independence and ensure decisions are free from commercial, political, or personal influences.
- Reject any external pressure that might compromise the integrity of the publication.
- Promote a culture of academic freedom and responsible research dissemination.
7. Ensuring Quality and Innovation
Editors should:
- Encourage high-impact research that contributes to scholarly advancement.
- Stay informed about emerging trends, methodologies, and best practices in academic publishing.
- Promote inclusivity and diversity in published research.
8. Post-Publication Responsibilities
Editors are responsible for:
- Addressing post-publication concerns, including errors, ethical breaches, or retractions.
- Publishing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.
- Engaging with the academic community to foster knowledge exchange.
9. Editorial Board Responsibilities
- The Editorial Board provides strategic guidance and ensures the journal’s standards align with international publishing best practices.
- Board members should actively contribute by reviewing manuscripts, suggesting improvements, and promoting the journal’s mission.
