Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial role is more than an administrative function; it is a responsibility of trust. Editors are entrusted with shaping the scientific record, stewarding fairness, and ensuring that knowledge is preserved and shared with integrity. These responsibilities are outlined here as guiding principles, offering clarity for practice and inspiration for service.

Duty to Authors

Editors are responsible for treating every submission with respect. Authors invest years of effort in their research, and their manuscripts must be evaluated fairly, free from bias or personal preference. Decisions should be based solely on scholarly merit, methodological rigor, and contribution to the field—not on geography, institutional affiliation, or financial circumstances.

Duty to Reviewers

Reviewers volunteer expertise that sustains the peer review process. Editors are responsible for selecting reviewers thoughtfully, respecting their time, and maintaining their anonymity where required. Editors must also provide clear guidance and support, recognizing reviewers as essential partners in strengthening scholarship.

Duty to Readers

Readers depend on the journal for reliable, transparent, and ethically sound research. Editors safeguard this trust by ensuring articles are accurate, well-reviewed, and presented clearly. Retractions or corrections, when necessary, are handled with transparency—acknowledging mistakes as part of a larger commitment to truthfulness.

Ensuring Fairness

Editors must act impartially, avoiding conflicts of interest and recusing themselves from decisions where bias may arise. Equal opportunity for authors across the world is a central responsibility. Every decision should reflect the belief that science belongs to all, not to a privileged few.

Promoting Ethical Standards

Editors uphold ethical practices by monitoring for plagiarism, duplicate submissions, data falsification, and other forms of misconduct. When concerns arise, editors investigate with discretion and follow established protocols. Their role is protective, not punitive—ensuring that the record of science remains trustworthy.

Decision-Making

Editors’ decisions must be transparent, consistent, and supported by reviewer feedback. Manuscripts may be accepted, revised, or rejected, but each outcome must be justified and communicated respectfully. The editor’s role is not simply to select but to guide—helping authors see how their work might be refined or redirected.

Confidentiality

Submissions are privileged communications. Editors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality at every stage, protecting the identities of authors and reviewers, and ensuring that unpublished work is never used for personal advantage.

Commitment to Timeliness

Time is precious in scholarship. Editors are responsible for managing reviews and decisions promptly, balancing thorough evaluation with respect for authors’ schedules. Efficient communication reflects professionalism and strengthens trust in the journal.

Continuous Growth

Editors are expected to remain engaged with new developments in editorial best practices, peer review innovations, and ethical standards. By participating in training and global editorial networks, they ensure that their responsibilities are carried out with relevance and foresight.

Conclusion

Editorial responsibilities are not a checklist but a vocation: a commitment to fairness, honesty, and service. By honoring their duties to authors, reviewers, and readers alike, editors strengthen the scientific enterprise and ensure that research remains a collective heritage accessible to all.