Editorial Responsibilities

1. Commitment to Publication Ethics

Editors are responsible for enforcing the ethical principles defined by COPE, ICMJE, and WAME. Editorial actions should promote integrity, accountability, and transparency throughout the publication process.

2. Evaluation of Manuscripts

Editors must evaluate manuscripts objectively based on scientific merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope—without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, or religion.

3. Peer Review Management

• Select expert reviewers who are independent and qualified.
• Ensure reviews are constructive, confidential, and timely.
• Prevent conflicts of interest by recusing themselves when necessary.

4. Confidentiality

Editors must protect the confidentiality of manuscripts, reviewer identities, and author communications. Manuscripts should only be shared with individuals directly involved in the review and decision-making process.

5. Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, or personal) and delegate review duties when such conflicts exist. This ensures unbiased and transparent decision-making.

6. Editorial Independence

Decisions should be based solely on the scientific merit of manuscripts, independent of political, commercial, or institutional pressures. The editorial team operates autonomously to maintain trust in the publication process.

7. Handling Ethical Complaints

Editors must act promptly on allegations of misconduct such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical violations. Investigations must follow COPE’s Flowcharts for Ethical Practices.

8. Decision-Making Transparency

Editorial decisions (acceptance, revision, or rejection) must be clearly justified and communicated respectfully to authors. Editors must provide specific feedback to improve rejected or revised manuscripts.

9. Corrections and Retractions

In cases where errors or ethical breaches are identified post-publication, editors must initiate prompt correction, retraction, or expression of concern per COPE Retraction Guidelines.

10. Timeliness and Efficiency

Editors are expected to manage manuscripts efficiently, ensuring timely communication, peer review, and publication. Delays should be avoided unless essential for quality assurance.

11. Fairness in Review

Editors must prevent discrimination, bias, or favoritism. Each manuscript must be reviewed by at least two qualified reviewers selected solely for their expertise.

12. Promoting Research Integrity

Editors should verify ethical compliance in human and animal studies and ensure manuscripts include IRB approval statements, informed consent, and conflict-of-interest disclosures.

13. Editorial Board Conduct

Editorial board members must maintain professional conduct, avoid favoritism, and support the journal’s mission of advancing pediatric and child health research through ethical publication practices.

14. Continuous Improvement

Editors should engage in ongoing professional development by attending editorial workshops, COPE webinars, and WAME training to enhance their editorial skills and stay informed about evolving best practices.

15. Promoting Global Diversity

Editors should encourage submissions from underrepresented regions, ensuring global representation and diversity in published research.

16. Handling Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions in writing, providing rationale and supporting documentation. Editors must review such appeals objectively, often consulting an independent advisory board when necessary.

17. Record Keeping

Editors must maintain transparent records of correspondence, reviews, and editorial decisions to ensure accountability and traceability during audits or investigations.

18. Mentorship and Collaboration

Senior editors are encouraged to mentor associate editors and reviewers, fostering a culture of collaboration, consistency, and ethical awareness within the editorial team.

19. Contact Information

For editorial responsibilities or ethics-related queries:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pediatricshealthjournal.com