Editor Guidelines

DUTIES OF EDITORS

1. Publication Decisions 
The editor is responsible for deciding which articles submitted to the journal should be published, often in consultation with the relevant society for society-owned or sponsored journals. These decisions are based on the validation of the work and its significance to researchers and readers. Editors are guided by the journal’s editorial policies and constrained by legal requirements, including issues of libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. They may consult other editors or reviewers when making these decisions.

2. Fair Play 
Editors should evaluate manuscripts based solely on their intellectual content, without regard to the race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.

3. Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.

4. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used by editors for their own research without the express written consent of the author. Editors should recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest, including relationships with the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the work.

Editors should ensure that all contributors disclose relevant competing interests and publish corrections if such interests arise after publication. If necessary, appropriate actions such as retraction or an expression of concern should be taken.

5. Involvement in Investigations
Editors must take responsive action when ethical complaints are made about a submitted manuscript or published paper, working in conjunction with the publisher. This may involve contacting the author and considering complaints or claims, as well as consulting relevant institutions. If the complaint is upheld, the editor may issue a correction, retraction, or other relevant notice.