Ethics for Editors

1. Editorial Integrity

Editors must maintain the integrity of the scholarly record by ensuring accuracy, transparency, and impartiality in all editorial decisions. All actions must align with the ethical standards defined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and ICMJE.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy

Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities. Manuscript details must not be disclosed to anyone outside the editorial team, reviewers, or publisher representatives without authorization.

3. Objectivity in Decision-Making

Editorial decisions must be based purely on scholarly merit, originality, and relevance. Editors should not allow personal relationships, political views, or commercial influences to impact decisions.

4. Conflict of Interest Management

Editors must avoid handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest may exist. Examples include:

• Personal or financial relationships with authors or institutions.
• Competitive, collaborative, or adversarial relationships.
• Potential for perceived bias in decision-making.

In such cases, the manuscript should be reassigned to another editor.

5. Fair and Transparent Peer Review

Editors are responsible for ensuring that the peer review process is rigorous, fair, and timely. Reviewers must be selected based on expertise, and their evaluations should be respected as confidential professional opinions.

6. Handling of Misconduct

When ethical concerns arise, editors must investigate in accordance with COPE flowcharts. In cases of proven misconduct (plagiarism, falsification, or data fabrication), appropriate corrective actions—such as rejection, retraction, or notification to institutions—should be implemented.

7. Publication Bias Prevention

Editors must prevent publication bias by evaluating all submissions objectively, regardless of study outcome or geographic origin. Both positive and negative results hold equal scientific value.

8. Editorial Independence and Accountability

Editors should operate independently from commercial or sponsor influence. They must ensure that advertisements or special issues do not compromise the scientific integrity of the journal.

9. Ethical Oversight of Human and Animal Studies

Editors must verify that manuscripts involving human or animal subjects adhere to ethical standards and include IRB approval, informed consent, and adherence to the Declaration of Helsinki.

10. Communication and Professional Conduct

Editors should communicate with authors, reviewers, and readers courteously and transparently. Feedback should be constructive, fostering the improvement of manuscripts rather than discouragement.

11. Correction, Retraction, and Clarification

Editors must issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when errors or ethical breaches are identified post-publication. These must be published promptly and clearly linked to the original article.

12. Peer Reviewer Recognition

Editors should promote transparency in reviewer recognition while maintaining anonymity when required. Annual acknowledgment of reviewers’ contributions is encouraged to foster accountability and collaboration.

13. Continuous Ethical Education

Editors are encouraged to participate in COPE, WAME, or CSE educational programs to stay informed about evolving ethical guidelines and publication practices.

14. Ethical Oversight of Special Issues

Editors overseeing special issues must ensure that all guest editors and contributors adhere to the same ethical standards as regular submissions. The integrity of the peer review process must not be compromised for expediency.

15. Record Keeping and Data Security

Editors must maintain accurate, secure records of manuscript histories, reviewer communications, and editorial decisions in compliance with GDPR and data protection standards.

16. Promotion of Diversity and Inclusivity

Editors should encourage submissions from diverse backgrounds, ensuring gender, cultural, and regional inclusivity in editorial and reviewer selections.

17. Transparency in Editorial Policies

All editorial policies must be publicly available on the journal website. Editors must ensure clarity regarding peer review types, author rights, and conflict resolution procedures.

18. Responding to Appeals and Complaints

Editors must respond to appeals and complaints objectively and within a reasonable timeframe, maintaining fairness and integrity in all editorial actions.

19. Contact Information

For editorial ethics concerns or policy clarifications:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pediatricshealthjournal.com