Editors , Authors and Reviewers Responsibilities

 

Editors Responsibilities

Editors play a vital role in upholding and promoting the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. Their responsibilities include ensuring that manuscripts are evaluated solely on their scholarly merit, free from bias or commercial influence, thereby preserving the fairness and integrity of the publication process.

Maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process is essential. Editors must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential documents, protecting the authors' intellectual property and ensuring the integrity of the peer-review system.

When ethical concerns arise, such as suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, fraud, or other unethical research practices, editors are expected to act decisively. Prompt and thorough investigations must be conducted to address these issues, safeguarding the trust and credibility of the journal.

Creating an environment of ethical compliance requires collaboration among editors, reviewers, authors, and the editorial board. By fostering open communication and shared commitment, all parties contribute to upholding the journal's ethical standards.

Editors are also responsible for developing, implementing, and updating clear policies for addressing ethical issues and complaints. These policies should be transparent, consistently applied, and accessible to all stakeholders. Regularly reviewing and revising these guidelines ensures they remain effective and aligned with the evolving challenges in academic publishing.

 

Authors Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submitted manuscripts are original, properly citing all sources of data and materials. If copyrighted materials are included, authors must obtain the necessary permissions, thereby respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.

Authors must also confirm that their manuscript is not currently under review by another journal and has not been previously published. This requirement helps avoid duplicate publication and fragmentation of research, ensuring the originality and contribution of each submission to the academic field.

In the case of duplicate publication, the following actions will be taken:

  1. Retraction of the Manuscript: The article will be retracted to preserve the integrity of the academic record.
  2. Notification to Affiliated Institutions: The author’s affiliated institution will be informed of the breach in publication ethics.
  3. Ban on Future Submissions: The author will be prohibited from submitting new manuscripts to the Qaiwan Journal of Science for a period of one to three years.

The duration of the ban typically ranges from one to five years, depending on the severity of the violation. For a first offense involving duplicate publication, a ban of two to three years is common. However, in cases of repeated violations or serious circumstances, a longer or even permanent ban may be imposed. These measures aim to uphold ethical standards and deter future infractions.

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could be perceived as influencing their research, including financial, personal, or professional relationships. Transparency in disclosing conflicts ensures the impartiality of the research and maintains trust in the scholarly process.

Proper authorship and contribution are essential, with all individuals who made a substantial involvement to the work being acknowledged. Authors must verify that all listed as co-authors meet authorship criteria and that all have reviewed and approved the final manuscript for publication, ensuring accountability and appropriate credit.

If significant errors are identified in their work, authors are obligated to correct them. This may involve publishing corrections, retractions, or raising concerns about the validity of previously published work. Promptly addressing errors ensures the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record and maintains high standards of academic integrity.

 

Reviewers Responsibilities

Reviewers play an essential role in the editorial process by providing objective, constructive, and timely evaluations of submitted manuscripts. Their expertise helps determine whether a manuscript is suitable for publication and offers valuable guidance to authors and editors for improving the quality and clarity of the research.

Maintaining the confidentiality of manuscripts and the integrity of the review process is a fundamental responsibility of reviewers. They must treat submissions as strictly confidential, refraining from using any information gained during the review process for personal benefit or sharing it with others before publication.

Reviewers are also expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might influence their impartiality. This includes financial, personal, or professional relationships with the authors, affiliated institutions, or organizations related to the manuscript. Transparency in such matters ensures a fair and unbiased review process.

Adhering to the journal’s review deadlines is crucial for maintaining an efficient publication timeline. If circumstances prevent a reviewer from completing the review on time, they should promptly inform the editor. This allows the editorial team to adjust the schedule or assign an alternative reviewer to avoid unnecessary delays in the manuscript’s processing.