Editor's Guidelines

Editors are stewards of trust. Their work shapes the scholarly record not only by selecting and refining manuscripts but also by safeguarding the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the entire publishing process. These guidelines are provided as both instruction and encouragement—reminders that the editor’s role is a responsibility of wisdom, humility, and service to the research community.

Core Responsibilities

• Fair Evaluation: Ensure manuscripts are judged solely on merit, originality, and contribution to the field.
• Confidentiality: Treat all submissions with discretion, protecting author and reviewer identities during the process.
• Transparency: Communicate decisions clearly, providing constructive feedback that respects the author’s effort.
• Ethics: Uphold research and publication ethics, addressing potential misconduct with diligence and sensitivity.

Manuscript Handling

From the moment a manuscript is submitted, the editor becomes its guide. This involves initial screening for scope and compliance, assignment to qualified reviewers, and careful monitoring of the review process. Timeliness is essential—delays can discourage authors and slow scientific progress. Editors should balance thoroughness with efficiency.

Reviewer Selection

Selecting reviewers is both an art and a responsibility. Editors should seek individuals with relevant expertise, free of conflicts of interest, and committed to providing balanced feedback. Diversity in reviewer perspectives enriches evaluation and strengthens decisions. Editors are expected to monitor reviewer performance and cultivate a community of responsible, respectful peer reviewers.

Decision Making

Editorial decisions should be consistent and transparent. Acceptance, revision, or rejection must be accompanied by clear reasons, grounded in evidence and reviewer feedback. Even when declining a manuscript, editors can leave authors with insights that support future work. The guiding principle is fairness—never arbitrary judgment.

Ethical Oversight

Editors play a crucial role in identifying and addressing ethical concerns such as plagiarism, data falsification, duplicate submission, or conflicts of interest. When concerns arise, editors should follow established policies and act with sensitivity. Their role is not punitive but protective—guarding the credibility of the scholarly record.

Communication

Editors serve as a bridge between authors, reviewers, and the journal. Communication should be respectful, clear, and timely. Authors should feel guided, not judged. Reviewers should feel appreciated for their contribution. The editorial office should remain informed of all key decisions. Communication builds trust and sustains the collaborative spirit of publishing.

Continuous Learning

Editing is not static—it evolves with emerging standards, technologies, and community expectations. Editors are encouraged to engage in ongoing learning, participate in editorial networks, and remain attuned to global discussions on research integrity, peer review, and open science.

Values in Practice

Ultimately, editorial work is guided by values: respect for authors, commitment to fairness, dedication to accuracy, and service to the community. These values give meaning to the technical aspects of editing and remind editors that their role is one of stewardship, not control.

Conclusion

To be an editor is to carry a quiet but profound responsibility: ensuring that science is communicated with integrity, care, and respect. These guidelines are not constraints but compass points, offering direction in a role defined by judgment, wisdom, and trust. Editors who embody these principles strengthen not only the journal but the scientific enterprise as a whole.